A Jerry Garcia acoustic guitar by Alvarez-Yairi and Modulus, 1991
22W
A Jerry Garcia acoustic guitar by Alvarez-Yairi and Modulus, 1991
A one-of-a-kind custom-made guitar for Garcia; the body top made of specially selected Sitka spruce with stained rosewood sides; the pickguard made of a black and reddish-orange plastic; the fretboard made of stained maple with eight iridescent pearlized inlays depicting symbols; the peghead with two iridescent pearlized inlays depicting a symbol and the initials "AY" [for Alvarez and Yairi, maker of guitar]; Modulus logo is featured on the headstock, showing the joint venture between the two companies to make something truly special for Jerry Garcia; an interior label seen through the sound hole reads "Alvarez / by Kazuo Yairi / Serial number 36023 / Model number Sample #1 / Made in Japan 1991." Included is its original navy blue leather case.
Length: 41in
Sold for US$ 102,000 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • This is one of a set of three guitars specially made for Garcia by Alvarez-Yairi and Modulus. Each was unique, though each had an Alvarez body with a "graphite" Modulus neck. Garcia used all three frequently on stage, including this one in Lot 22. Garcia liked these guitars so much that he officially endorsed the brand and was featured in a number of Alvarez-Yairi print advertisements that ran in music publications in the early 1990s. Included is a color print showing Garcia holding this guitar in the field across the street from Ram Rod's house in Northern California.

Category: Collectibles / Entertainment Memorabilia

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