A Jerry Garcia electric guitar custom-made for him by Doug Irwin, 1971
The body made of curly maple (and other exotic woods) with a purple heart center and stained sides; two black plastic pick-ups noting "Hi-A;" between the pick-ups, there is a slot that Ram Rod routed out to insert an additional pick up that was never installed. Garcia's slide from the late 1960s is inside the electronics compartment to add weight, per Garcia's instructions, along with a few of Ram Rod’s son, Rudson’s, fishing weights. (When the guitar is picked up, these weights can still be heard, moving around inside); the fretboard made of ebony with ten iridescent mother-of-pearl inlays depicting Sanskrit symbols; the headstock with an iridescent mother-of-pearl inlay depicting an eagle in flight; small brass placard on back of headstock reads "D. Irwin 025;" back body panel has three inlays (two silver symbols plus the Alembic Studios logo) as well as the serial number which reads "GD [Grateful Dead] 025;" original strings from the last time Garcia played it (even the High E string that he broke) are still attached. In fact, Garcia was the last person to ever play this guitar, circa 1973. This was the first guitar completed by Doug Irwin, who states that the "GD025" serial number is indeed his first complete guitar. Included is the guitar's original case with a circular sticker on it reading "Manor Downs."
Length: 40in
