The Making of an Icon (1973-1979)
Doug Irwin crafted the Tiger guitar for Jerry Garcia over six years, beginning in 1973 and completing it in 1979. Garcia first played Tiger at Oakland Civic Auditorium on August 4, 1979 - the beginning of a remarkable musical partnership that would shape the Grateful Dead's sound for years to come.
Tiger on Stage
For over a decade, Tiger was Garcia's constant companion through countless Grateful Dead performances. From the "Touch of Grey" video that launched the band into MTV fame to legendary shows at Giants Stadium, Tiger's distinctive tone became part of the Dead's signature sound. The guitar faithfully served until July 9, 1995, at Chicago's Soldier Field, where it played the band's final notes on "Box of Rain."
Inside Tiger's Magic
The guitar's unique voice came from its groundbreaking design:
Body: Cocobolo top and back with sandwiched maple and padauk core
Back: Quilted maple with brass-bound circle featuring mother-of-pearl vegetal inlay and marquetry
Neck: Three-piece flame maple and padauk with brass binding
Fingerboard: Ebony with "J. GARCIA" inlay at end
Headstock: Brass-bound with mother-of-pearl globe and ivory eagle logo
Inlay: Mother-of-pearl tiger framed in ebony and brass on front
Electronics: Two humbucking pickups and one single-coil, five-way selector switch, two volume controls and one tone control, two coil tap switches, effects loop output with on/off switch, unity-gain buffer
Hardware: Brass pickup mounting bracket, bridge, tailpiece, tuners, knobs and control surfaces
Physical Specifications
Length: 40 inches (101.6 cm)
Width: 12 7/8 inches (32.7 cm)
Depth: 1 3/4 inches (4.4 cm)
Weight: 13.5 pounds
Tiger's Journey Today
Tiger found a new home with Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay in 2002 for $850,000 when Doug Irwin auctioned it. The guitar remains a celebrated artifact of rock history and has been featured in exhibitions and events showcasing its cultural significance.
Recent Appearances
Amped at IU Exhibition (2024-2025)
The Tiger guitar is part of Jim Irsay's world-renowned guitar collection displayed at Indiana University Bloomington in the Amped at IU exhibition. This year-long event, running from September 27, 2024, to September 2025, highlights the history of modern guitars and features instruments played by legendary musicians such as Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton.
Opening Day Event at IU (September 27, 2024)
On the first day of the Amped at IU exhibition, Tiger was showcased alongside other iconic guitars for a one-day event during IU Family Weekend. The event included guided tours and performances by students from the IU Jacobs School of Music.
Traveling Museum Exhibitions (2021-Present)
The Tiger guitar has been part of Irsay's "traveling museum," which has toured major U.S. cities such as Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco. These exhibitions aim to share culturally significant artifacts with the public while preserving their legacy.
