Jerry Garcia — Rig Network

Aluminium-neck guitar producing a characteristically bright, percussive tone with excellent sustain due to the direct metal-to-metal coupling between neck and body. Garcia's TB-500 had custom DiMarzio pickups and was modified for his playing style. The aluminium neck was later found to cause intonation problems in changing temperature environments.

Unique to this artist in the database

"Wolf" — Garcia's primary guitar for most of the 1970s and 1980s. Custom build with a wolf-head inlay on the headstock by luthier Doug Irwin. Modified with custom electronics including a built-in buffer circuit and variable-resistance controls for tone shaping.

Unique to this artist in the database

"Tiger" — a custom guitar by Doug Irwin, featuring an elaborate inlay of a tiger on a maple top over mahogany. Active electronics with a built-in buffer and onboard effects loop. Used extensively through the 1980s.

Unique to this artist in the database

Garcia moved away from conventional guitar amps toward high-fidelity studio amplification — the McIntosh MC2300 (300 watts per channel) provided transparent, uncoloured amplification that preserved the guitar's character through the Grateful Dead's PA system.

Unique to this artist in the database

Early-career primary amp — the Twin's clean headroom and built-in reverb suited the psychedelic and country-rock material of the first Dead years.

Garcia's most distinctive effect — the Mu-Tron III is an envelope follower that opens a filter as picking attack increases, producing a vocal, wah-like sweep controlled by playing dynamics rather than a foot pedal. Garcia used it for fast picking passages and funk-influenced lines.

Subtle phasing used to add movement to sustained notes and rhythm parts.

Long repeats used for ambient texture in extended improvisations.

Unique to this artist in the database