Contributed by: Relix Magazine
Organization: Relix Magazine
Dated Posted: April 21, 2026
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Doug Irwin, the luthier who crafted five of Jerry Garcia’s most prized six-strings and helped steward distinct tones that have resonated and roused generations of fans, has passed away. A maven of his workshop, Irwin’s talents resulted in a catalog of more than 50 guitars and basses during his career, built for the likes of Bay Area artists Phil Lesh and Pete Sears – solidifying his significance as a steward of sound in the region and beyond. Irwin was 76.

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