Grateful Guitars Foundation Loans Iconic Jerry Garcia Tribute Guitars to Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre Port Chester

The Grateful Guitars Foundation is proud to announce the loan of two extraordinary Jerry Garcia tribute guitars to Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, where they are now on display inside the legendary Port Chester venue. These instruments honor Jerry Garcia’s enduring musical legacy, a cornerstone of the Garcia’s at The Cap mission, while continuing the Foundation’s mission of keeping historically significant guitars active, visible, and connected to the live music community.

The guitars are meticulous tributes to two of Garcia’s most iconic instruments, each representing a distinct era of his sound and innovation. More than museum pieces, they are living instruments meant to inspire musicians and audiences alike.

Featured Guitars on Loan at Garcia’s:

“Rosebud”
Built by Bob Fishman (8West Guitars)

A tribute to the guitar that Doug Irwin delivered to Jerry Garcia in 1989, and which became Jerry’s primary guitar throughout the early 1990’s.  Built with Granadillo, Western Big Leaf Maple, Padauk & Ebony, it epitomizes the “hippie sandwich” method of guitar construction.

Since its completion in the early 2020’s, and in keeping with the mission of the Grateful Guitars Foundation, this guitar has been played onstage by many of the most renowned players devoted to carrying on the legacy of the Grateful Dead and the Jerry Garcia Band.

“Tiger”
Built by Kevin Burkett (Travis Bean Designs / Electrical Guitar Company)

A tribute to the guitar that Doug Irwin delivered to Jerry Garcia in 1979, and which became Jerry’s primary guitar throughout the 1980’s.  Crafted in acrylic with an aluminum neck, this guitar features OBEL wiring.

Both guitars are on loan to Garcia’s Courtesy of Andy Logan, Founder of the Grateful Guitars Foundation.

Visitors to Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre are invited to see these rare instruments up close where they now live on permanent display.  Additionally, in the spirit of keeping the music alive, artists performing at Garcia’s will also have opportunities to take Rosebud off the wall and play it onstage, most notably during DeadCenter, Garcia’s weekly Grateful Dead tribute night.

DeadCenter celebrates improvisation, community, and musical exploration, and draws inspiration from the legendary Grateful Dead–inspired nights at New York City’s historic Wetlands Preserve. Like Wetlands before it, Garcia’s continues that tradition by creating a welcoming space where musicians, music, and community intersect — making it the perfect home for Rosebud to be heard, not just seen.

Thank you to everyone at Garcia’s at The Cap for your devotion to the music community that binds us, and thank you to our supporters, none of this would be possible without you.

Photograph by Geoff Tischman