About Us
At Scarlet Fire Guitars we build our own line of custom–built Jerry Garcia-inspired guitars. I have long been a fan of the music of the Grateful Dead, and as a player myself, I was curious how Jerry was able to squeeze such a wide palate of tonal colors out of his instruments. When I first set eyes on the Tiger, I was amazed at its beauty and elegant design. Over time, I learned much about the culture of innovation and experimentation that was so pervasive within the Dead organization. In that spirit, Jerry gave the master luthier Doug Irwin the leeway to create a masterpiece. Irwin did this not once but, at least three times. Now, I have dedicated the last 12 years , searching for the sound, and striving to get it just exactly perfect!
While my work encapsulates the lessons learned from the many past masters who have blessed us with their contributions, I still see this process that moves forward into the future, as a collaboration between myself as the builder, and you, the owner of your new instrument. I want you to feel that this instrument is an extension of yourself and your artistic vision, and will be an invaluable tool to help you realize your musical ambitions and bring your playing to the next level. As such, while we look to the past for excellence and precedent, this work of art will live in the future. For it to have that sort of resonance, it much be an authentic extension of yourself and your artistic vision. Therefore, I strive to help realize your vision, customizing your instrument to fit your specific needs. Gratefully, Leo