About Us

Doug Irwin is a master luthier, renowned as the designer of 5 custom guitars for Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. The guitars he built for Garcia included Eagle, Wolf, Tiger, Wolf Jr. (headless) and Rosebud.

With decades of experience in custom guitar building, Doug also crafted a limited number of other instruments including basses for Pete Sears and Phil Lesh. His portfolio includes the documented Rosewood and a Les Paul type guitar, both featured in the exclusive D. Irwin Guitar Company sales brochure.

Following Jerry Garcia's passing in 1995, Garcia's will stipulated that his Irwin-made guitars be returned to their creator. After resolving legal matters with the remaining Grateful Dead members, Doug received "Wolf" and "Tiger," while GD Productions retained "Rosebud" and "Wolf Jr." These instruments represent significant pieces of music history, with Tiger selling at auction for USD 957,500 and Wolf for USD 789,500—setting records in the guitar auction world at that time.

Eagle, Doug's first signature guitar and Garcia's first Irwin purchase, later sold at Bonhams auction in 2007 for USD 186,000.

Doug Irwin's craftsmanship helped bring decades of music to life. These guitars are not just instruments, but pieces of history in a long strange trip.

What is Irwin Certified?

The guitars created by Doug Irwin are timeless. Many luthiers have their own tribute models. But very few meet the artisanal quality that you expect and deserve in a guitar like these.

Irwin Certified works with vetted, master luthiers to deliver incredibly faithful tributes and reproductions of Doug Irwin's infamous creations. Each guitar is inspected by Irwin himself, and come with a signed Certificate of Authenticity.

Who are our certified luthiers?

Bill Asher is a highly respected luthier and founder of Asher Guitars & Lap Steels, where for more than 40 years he has built a legacy of craftsmanship shaped by tradition, innovation, and artistry. Based in Los Angeles, he is known for designing and handcrafting guitars, basses, and lap steels with rich tonal character and exceptional playability. His instruments have been sought after by a wide range of world-class musicians, including Jackson Browne, Ben Harper, John Mayer, and many others. His thoughtful attention to detail has made him a recognized figure in the boutique guitar world.

Leo Elliott is the founder and master luthier behind Scarlet Fire Guitars, a boutique guitar company dedicated to recreating and honoring the iconic instruments played by Jerry Garcia. Known for his meticulous craftsmanship, historical precision, and deep reverence for Garcia’s legacy, Elliott has become one of the leading names in this highly specialized field. His work has earned a devoted following among Deadheads, collectors, and professional musicians seeking faithful reproductions of legendary guitars such as Tiger and Rosebud. Through Scarlet Fire, he combines vintage authenticity with modern playability, creating instruments that not only honor the Grateful Dead tradition but also inspire today’s players. His instruments are played by artists including Jimmy Law of Dogs in a Pile, Mik Bondy of The Garcia Project, Jeff Mattson and Skip Vangelas of Dark Star Orchestra, and Zach Nugent of Dead Set, Josh Olken of Terrapin Flyers, and many more.

Irwin, Asher, and Elliott have joined forces to create the Irwin Certified brand, a collaboration that unites three generations of guitar-making expertise under one vision. At the heart of that collaboration is Leo Elliott’s commitment to carrying forward the sound, design, and spirit of Jerry Garcia’s most iconic instruments for a new generation. Irwin brings the original designs and historic legacy, Asher contributes decades of craftsmanship and innovation from his Los Angeles workshop, and Elliott, through Scarlet Fire Guitars, helps bring that legacy into the present with exceptional care, authenticity, and precision. Together, the trio ensures that every Irwin Certified instrument captures the artistry, soul, and character of the originals while being built for today’s players and collectors.