Doug Irwin Dies at 76: Master Guitar Builder Also Left His Mark on Bass History
We have sad news to share today as another pioneering luthier has left us: Doug Irwin of Irwin Guitars has died at age 76. The news was shared on the Irwin Guitars Facebook page in a message from his family.
“Doug was a master craftsman, a visionary, and someone who dedicated his life to his work. His guitars were never just instruments, they were built with intention, precision, and soul, becoming part of the music and the artists who played them,” they wrote. “To his family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, Doug was more than his work. He was a presence, a character, and someone whose impact reached far beyond words. His legacy will live on through the instruments he created and the music they helped bring to life. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.”
Irwin is best known for building Jerry Garcia’s most valuable guitars, including “Eagle,” “Wolf,” “Tiger,” “Rosebud,” and “Wolf, Jr.” He was working for Alembic when the Grateful Dead guitarist and vocalist came into the shop and purchased his build, which gained the “Eagle” moniker. Garcia then commissioned him to build the rest. “Tiger” recently sold at auction for $11.5 million, making it one of the most expensive guitars ever sold. (Watch Derek Trucks play it here.)
Irwin was also skilled at building basses. He co-created a custom four-string designed by Tom Lieber for Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, who used it for a period in the late ’70s. Most recently, he gave his blessing to Bill Asher of Asher Guitars to build the Dire Wolf Bass for Oteil Burbridge. Though he was in failing health, he supplied an important piece of the instrument.
“The first piece of wood for this guitar was cut from the same batch of wood that Jerry’s Wolf was made with,” Burbridge explained. “I almost cried when Bill Asher sent me the video of Doug Irwin up out of his wheelchair cutting it himself.”
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Doug Irwin.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article attributed Pete Sears’ Dragon Bass to Irwin. It was wholly designed and built by Tom Lieber.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
Doug who?