Grateful Dead Music Forum

I see that Doug is back at work in his shop. He seemed to have disappeared for quite a while there, but is now back working on guitars and fairly active on social media. I know he has been visited by some guitar builders from here, like Leo, but I just can't help and wonder why he dropped off and suddenly came back and if he is planning on building and selling guitars.

Doug was nearly killed in a hit and run accident in 1998. He was destitute and recovery took a long long time. I am not certain he ever fully recovered. Hence why he sold Tiger and Wolf at auction 20 years ago....he desperately needed the money.

Others here probably have more details than me.

I have commented on his instagram and he states that he never stopped building....but he is only doing one offs and not taking orders. I wish someone would post a picture of an Irwin built after 1990 or so when Rosebud was delivered...I haven't seen a single one.

Doug was making wooden neckties for a while. He showed some to me the last time I stopped by for a visit (pre-pandemic). Really beautiful, intricate, and creative!

Bill, tgo

I really don't think its anyone's business, but Doug's, on his personal life over the past few years. I know I've had some difficulties in my life and I wouldn't want them speculated on nor publicized, accurate or not, across the web. I spoke with someone from Doug's shop and they said he'd be taking orders in a year or so. Right now, he is selling a variety of guitar/dead inspired items such as limited run pins, shirts, etc. He seems to post photos of projects in his shop on a regular basis.

Wooden neckties!? I'd love to see one.

broesau wrote: ↑Mon Apr 12, 2021 12:02 pm Wooden neckties!? I'd love to see one.

Photos of a few on Irwin Guitars Facebook page. Go way back to mid-2019.

Hi,
I am new to this board so please I'll say sorry in advance if I do something wrongly.
I have this guitar, it says D.Irwin on the back brass plate. I acquired it from The Guitar Center in Hollywood around the mid 1970s.
For years I didn't know what I had. I had gone there to buy a Les Paul or Strat when I saw this amazing guitar with the longest neck ever sitting in a corner.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Don't know, some guy brought it in last week" was the reply.
After playing it for two minutes I asked "how much?"
$1500 in the mid 70s was a lot of money. This was before credit cards, no internet, no MTV, no UTube etc.
I bought it and have loved it ever since.
It must have been around 2000 when I was on some listserver forum, a country and western guy asked me what guitar I had.
"I said it's a Dirwin"
There was a long pause after which the country guy said (assume he was kidding) was needed to pick himself up odd the floor.
The country guy told me that it wasn't a Dirwin but a D. Irwin and since Mr. Irwin only made guitars for famous rock people, I was luck to have it.
Lucky me I thought.
A year ago I just happened to put on an old live concert by the Dead and it was on Utube. I thought Jerry's guitar looks a lot like mine.
I showed it to a Fender guitar collector where I work and also the Utube link.
He asked me to bring it in.
When I showed it to him he just said Holy Expletive!
To date, that's about all I know. It looks pre-Wolfian in shape.
I am interested in trying to find out a bit more.
I would never sell it. It's too beautiful.
Thanks much.
Dave

Cool story. Got any photos?

If you want to learn more about it, I'd suggest reaching out the man himself. On his Facebook page, which is public, they're always asking for people to get in touch if they have one of his instruments....

https://www.facebook.com/IrwinGuitars/

I do have photos in jpg format.
I am new here so I don't know to upload jpgs.
I will try.



hope that works.
You can tell they are amateur photos.
The guitar had originally three Hi-A type stratacaster pickups.
I changed the top one to a humbucker.
I also added a phase switch on the middle pickup.

That certainly looks like the real thing! Sweet guitar you have there!

Bill, tgo

Holy crap!! Amazing!!!

Wow. A Guitar Center find, holy crap. Almost like the classic old car "barn find".

You're a very lucky man.

Yes, you should post it on Doug's Facebook page- they're trying to locate all his old builds.

Spectacular ax! But I think you're off on it's age. Wolf started life as Alembic #25, 1972 or '73. Irwin was still working there then. This looks to me to be a post-Wolf evolutionary step toward Tiger.
But no matter where it falls in his chronology, you have my undying envy!

You should contact Tom Lieber. He is the one who designed the "Horned" body and he could help authenticate. He was Irwins apprentice/assistant in the mid 70's and is very responsive and still building.

https://www.facebook.com/tomlieberguitars/
https://www.lieberguitars.com/