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 master luthier and founder of Asher Guitars & Lap Steels, where for over 40 years he has built a legacy of craftsmanship that blends tradition, innovation, and artistry. Based in Los Angeles, he has become internationally recognized for designing and handcrafting guitars, basses, and lap steels that embody rich tonal character and uncompromising playability. His instruments have been sought after by a wide range of world-class musicians, including Jackson Browne, Ben Harper, John Mayer, and countless others who value his ability to create tools of expression that inspire performance and creativity. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Asher has shaped the boutique guitar industry while keeping alive the spirit of custom luthiery in the modern era.
Leo Elliot is the founder and master builder 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 and attention to historical detail, Elliot has gained a devoted following among Deadheads, collectors, and professional musicians who seek faithful reproductions of Garcia’s legendary guitars such as the “Tiger” and “Rosebud”. Through Scarlet Fire, he combines vintage accuracy with modern playability, offering instruments that not only pay tribute to the Grateful Dead legacy but also inspire a new generation of players such as Mik Bondy of The Garcia Project, Jeff Mattson and Skip Vangelas of Dark Star Orchestra, and Zach Nugent of Dead Set, Jimmy Law of Dogs in a Pile, many more.
Master luthiers Irwin, Asher, and Elliot have joined forces to create the Irwin Certified brand, a collaboration that unites three generations of guitar-making expertise under one vision. Irwin, celebrated for crafting Jerry Garcia’s legendary instruments, brings the original designs and legacy; Asher contributes decades of innovation and world-class craftsmanship from his renowned Los Angeles workshop; and Elliot, through Scarlet Fire Guitars, offers his deep dedication to recreating Garcia’s iconic tones and aesthetics. Working together with true synergy, the trio ensures that every Irwin Certified instrument carries the authenticity, artistry, and spirit of the originals while being masterfully built for today’s players and collectors.