Doug Irwin and Wolf Guitar he custom made for Jerry Garcia
Doug Irwin and Wolf Guitar he custom made for Jerry Garcia

The Guitar’s of Master Guitar Builder Doug Irwin

We are trying to track down and present as much historical information about these iconic guitars as we can find. The artistry that is Doug Irwin’s life has been long time scattered and if you have any information that you would like to share, please do! Due to a fire in Doug’s shop many years ago, many photos and documents have gone back to the Universe in the form of smoke and stardust.

 

"007" Early Doug Irwin Rosewood Special

Irwin Guitars #007 Body"007" - Circa 1973"007" Early Doug Irwin Rosewood Special. Completed circa early ‘73 not long before Wolf was delivered. Originally built custom for Bill Johnson. Layered in some Osage Orange and Purple Heart to make things interesting. Ebony board. L...

Dollar Sign Guitar

Dollar Sign guitar custom built in 1974 by Doug Irwin"Dollar Sign Guitar"A Stunning All Original 1974 Doug Irwin Masterpiece…1974 Doug Irwin Screaming Dollar Sign Guitar "$27 Snap On Face" (Stereo).This very unique piece of exotica was specially made by Doug Irwin (Jerry Garcia's L...

Irwin Guitars #024

Irwin Guitars #027 - FrontIrwin Guitars #024 - Built in the late 1970s featuring Cocobolo & Flame Maple neck through construction, bound Cocobolo top & back with oil finish. Hand carved Ebony "Woman" silhouette with Ruby nipples. Signature original Irwin Guitars "Deluxe Earth Eagle" logo...

Irwin Guitars Serial No. 20

Irwin Guitars serial number 20. Completed in 1975. Originally sold at Leo’s Music Center in Oakland, CA in early 1976. Koa body, Maple neck-through construction with Purple Heart Rosewood fingerboard, Abalone shell floral Inlay. Macassar Ebony peghead. Hand carved body and "D. Irwin And Co." e...

Jerry Garcia's Guitars

Custom made for just for Jerry! Jerry Garcia's guitars that were designed and hand crafted by master luthier Doug Irwin. Five guitars include Wolf, Wolf Jr., Tiger, Rosebud and Eagle. These legendary guitars were used live on stage with the Grateful Dead over the span from the 1970's to 1995 when...

Eagle

The Eagle - Guitar by Doug Irwin for Jerry Garcia"The Eagle" - 1971A 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...

Rosebud

Rosebud Guitar - Jerry's Favorite"Rosebud" - 1989*In 1990 Garcia introduced the 3rd Doug Irwin guitar "Rosebud", named for the inlaid dancing skeleton on the ebony cover plate. It is almost a twin of Tiger, but two pounds lighter at 11 1/2 pounds. (While the shape is identical to Tigers,...

Tiger

Tiger Guitar by Doug Irwin for Jerry Garcia"Tiger" - 1973Immediately after receiving the “Wolf” guitar from Doug Irwin in 1973, Jerry Garcia commissioned “Tiger,” telling Irwin to make the most extravagant instrument he was capable of. The instrument—composed of highly figured exotic wo...

Wolf

"Wolf"Wolf Guitar by Doug Irwin for Jerry GarciaIn May, 1972, I began the project that eventually became the Wolf" (#007). Remembering the balance problems that Alembic was having, I decided to make it asymmetrical to give it good balance. I drew an original design and cut...

Wolf Jr

"Wolf Jr."Wolf Jr Guitar built by Doug Irwin for Jerry GarciaDoug Irwin's last guitar for Jerry Garcia that he never used it in concert. Wolf Jr. is a headless guitar in the spirit of Steinberger headless guitars.More info coming soon!Guitar DetailsLuthier: Doug Irwin...

Lacewood

#003 Lacewood"Lacewood"003 - LACEWOOD is predecessor two of Jerry Garcia's Wolf guitar. Lacewood was hand bcrafted from scratch in 1972 and originally sold in 1973 to the Stanroy Music Center in Santa Rosa California.Technical Description:Features an ultra-rare radical flame Lacewood...

Phil Lesh's Doug Irwin Bass

Phil Lesh's Doug Irwin Bass Guitar"Phil's Bass"In the late 1970s Phil Lesh briefly played a handmade Doug Irwin bass on tour with the Grateful Dead. Here are a few photographs of Phil and that iconic bass.Bass Guitar DetailsLuthier: Doug Irwin Client: Phil Lesh Date: Circa 1970s...

Phil Saam Bass

Phil Saam & BassesPhil Saam Bass - Designed and built by luthier Doug Irwin circa 1970s in Northern California.Luthier: Doug Irwin Client: Phil Saam Date: Circa 1970s Medium: Electronics: Dimensions: Length: Width: Weight:

Rosewood Special

Rosewood Special - Front"Rosewood Special"The "Rosewood Special" was meticulously hand crafted with mother of pearl inlays on the fret board and the iconic "Tiger" on the back of the body by master guitar luthier Doug Irwin.Guitar DetailsSerial Number: #007 Luthier: Doug Irwin...

Wine Country

“Wine Country” Master Luthier Doug Irwin"Wine Country" - 2021Irwin Guitars “Wine Country” handmade by Master Luthier Doug Irwin Wine Country was started in 1993 at “The Art Farm” in Sonoma, CA. where Rosebud was built. It was started after Wolf Jr., and the body was po...

3 Responses

  • I had the honor of knowing Doug Irwin when he lived in sanoma in two chinchilla coupes that he pushed together and he lived on one side and created master work’s of art on the other side I didn’t get the magnatude of how important he was I was a kid guitar player and he taught me everything about being a master luither I went on to build over a dozen custom guitars that I am proud of all because of knowing that awesome guy DG God bless you bro bro

  • Hello;
    I had the pleasure of having Doug Irwin Make myself a bass in the mid 70’s! I saw some of the super inlay work he was doing along with the Jerry Garcia guitar he was working on at the time as well as the “dollar sign guitar and (I believe) Bass that he was also working on.
    I have the bass still!!! it is a beautiful as the day he sent it to me!! What a great instrument!!

  • Everything beautiful. Hope all is well and dandy. Was wondering if you guys sell guitars 🎸🎸🎸🎸

    If so, what would be the options. Thank you. Have a good day. 🌹⚡️

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