Phred Jerry Garcia Guitar Oh My !!! 

This video was very entertaining to watch. Reminiscent of the times spent hanging out at guitar repair shops (lots of trash talk about guitars that you'd expect to not have any issues at all, and it has, for better or worse, skewed the opinions of certain high end guitar brands unfortunately). Anyways, the backstory behind this particular guitar in the video is that the guitar played fine and all the electronics worked perfectly upon arrival to the customer's home in Toronto. After a few weeks the weather changed and it adjusted the guitar. The customer brought the guitar in to Dave for an adjustment and didn't expect it to need a fret level and all. What Dave gets wrong in the video: 1) All of our guitars receive a fret level, crown and polish prior to shipping. 2) The fingerboard radius is 12" (Dave is surprised at the end of the video that the bridge radius matches the fingerboard radius, and that's because both are 12", we double checked with our radius gauges, too). 3) He is not familiar with Jerry Garcia guitar wiring, and so he plugs the guitar cable into the OBEL I/O Jack, and states there are electronic issues with the volume knob, etc. (unfortunately, there are now electronics issues with the guitar when there previously weren't any). With all this in mind, why did the guitar frets need to be re-leveled a second time? Well, the frets on this particular guitar were level and played well in our workshop, and perhaps the weather change and weather difference between Los Angeles and Toronto, likely caused what Dave is showing in the video. Additionally, this guitar played well upon arrival to the customer in Toronto. It's unfortunate to see a guitar get leveled twice when it was probably unnecessary. Dave contacted me after leveling the frets, perhaps he should have contacted me before? Also, there is a Phred Instruments customer service and support experience going on behind the scenes to ensure that the customer's guitar is playing great, plus we reimburse the customer for whatever the expense was to have his guitar worked on. If you own a Phred guitar, you know that customer service and satisfaction is a top priority.

“Had to scratch my head... and my sack at the same time”. You have my exact humor, this is why I watch you.

I own a Wolph by Phred and ive modded it myself. New pickups, brass nut, new bridge, custom brass p,ates with turtles and roses. Its my main guitar for 4 years now and I love it. But id say with the cost of the guitar and the parts etc i have about 1600 in it now. So ya have to consider that, but it nails the jerry tone. The guitar thru a twin into JBL e-120's is amazing, even if you are not looking to copy Jerry it has a unique tone that no other guitar ive played or own has. I own Gibsons, G&L, Ovations, Martins etc. Love these videos Dave :-)

I have a Langue-crock by the same guy (a phish guitar). It's super sweet. Here's the deal on Phreds, Olangs, etc. The bodies (and lotta times neck) come from China. They're the same ones that are for sale on Ali X. He buys them, puts the gubbins in them and sells them as Phred Guitars. So it's a real crapshoot as to what you get. Mine was nice and straight, this one, not so much. There is no word in Mandarin for "Q.A.".

That's why its called a Warlock cause its possessed and if they miss a payment it'll be re-possessed ... Lol ... Good vid Dave ...

That's never what you want to hear from a guitar tech..."Hold on while I get my hammer!!"

Dave I've learned so much from your videos. Keep it up all the best from Alberta Canada

Damn...thought it said Cherry Garcia, wanted some ice cream.....

The thought of Dave "scratching my... sack" My mental eye... IT BURNS! 🤯😳

The guitar was made in desert climate (Southern California) hot and dry, then went to Canada, cold and wet. The guitar itself must have shrank a half inch. Surprised the frets didnt pop out.

These are built in China and QC is done in Phred Guitar's SoCal workshop. They also install the custom wiring, brass fittings, DiMarzio pickups and other customer preferred electronics there too.

Like its namesake, that guitar looks like it's been on one long, strange trip.

It's a copy.... "Phred Instruments is a company in Los Angeles, California that is producing Jerry Garcia and Trey Anistasio style guitars - much cheaper than other custom " "If you are looking for a decently priced guitar that has the look of the Irwin tiger, please do not hesitate in purchasing a Phred Liger. I am very interested in trying out his Wolph and Ernesto guitars as well and will most likely get them as soon as I can."

i don’t think the dead will be so greatful with this guitar

“Well, they did something in here.” Lmao!!

They did the fancy stuff and skipped the basics

How can nobody know that iconic guitar. Must not be many Dead fans. That was Jerry's number 2 guitar

Can you remember Detective Frank Cannon.?. A big sandwich was always called a 'Cannon Sandwich' in our house. 70s. We used to wonder at what 'baloney' was.

As well as stickers, Penny Black cd’s and t-shirts, you should sell those handy pickup height measures that everyone thinks are Allen wrenches. I would happily buy one of those with DWOFS stamped into it, and maybe a DWOFS Bigsby eraser too.....?

I honestly would be lost on a stage with all those switches, knobs and pickups. Give me something much, much simpler and I'll be happy.

I don't know why, but suddenly I want one of these. It's weird to think Jerry Garcia used Dimarzio Super Distortions considering the genre of music he played. I was lucky enough to follow the band for a tour.

Holy hell... Skipping the fretwork is a mortal sin. Glad it made a pitstop with you.

My friend has same guitar for years and loves it and bought another from Phred and loves that too

Hey Dave, you stuck it in the wrong hole at the end! Happen often??? 🎶🎸

Weirdest looking guitar Ive seen! Overkill on the switches if you ask me. Love ur videos Dave👍👍👍👍👍

They brought it to the right guy. The number of potential gooches avoided here is unprecedented!

I love your videos man! You’ve inspired me to take on several of my own projects.. Last one I did involved replacing a stripped truss nut on a tele. That was fun, but I couldn’t have done it without your videos. Thanks! Keep on posting!

No kidding on the instant summer, I'm 100 miles east of you and man I felt it Saturday!! Cheers Dave on another great video!!

Brown toast and Marmalade samswich. Extra toppings.

That’s a great example of cheap import guitar. The idea is cool and Garcia’s guitars were really awesome but u can’t expect it to be even close at that price. You are going to spend a lot to get a nice guitar in his style. I’d actually suggest just using a decent strat with the alembic boost and do a few tweaks from there.

a lot of guitar snobs in this comment section too...some bitching out the switches, picks ups, harley benton, etc...well, often times I see these guys with a strat with a humbucker in it...thinking why buy a strat with a gibson pick up ? also many have these beautiful vintage strats, or way overpriced gibsons...but they are too nice to gig out at a bar with...which to me makes that guitar a worthless case queen. not everyone has $$$$ for a gibson, or Alembic, or custom shop fender. ...just sayin..those that do, great...but those who don't, why condescend ?...

We were in the mid 90’s yesterday Dave,be grateful you don’t live in North Texas!

All hail Jerry Garcia Americas greatest guitarist...hail

So... how much stuff do you want on this guitar? Yes!

Today Derbyshire England Pissing down!!! That's typical for a English summer!!

I wish Dave had a extra 9 volt battery. I wanted to hear the effects!

I generally don't like PRS but this is a work of art.

I must of chuckled every 30 seconds- thank god for guitar repair- p.s. my friend called me a luthier- l told him- l fix stuff

It there glue under those frets that rasied in the middle?..it would make some sense!

It's a Phred Deadbolt - Stock is $650 Installed options: - "Vintage Re-Wiring" $200 - Brass Nut $125 - DiMarzio pickups $360 - Brass pickup mounting plate $100 (the cocked pickup angle comes free I think) - Brass pickup selector switch cover $70 - Brass tail $40 This cost them just under £1600 US We don't know if they went for: Case $145 Obel Junction Box $89/$115 "12' Dual TRS/TS cable" $135 (Yes, this is a 12' TRS and a 12' TS cable joined together for $135) Not listed as options: Roller Bridge (which makes sense because, no Bigsby?) Fretwork by someone who knows what the fuck they are doing Oh and you can have the bolt stickers at the tail and headstock for another $7 because why the fuck not.

Them 3 super distortions... jeez.. i have 1 paired with a alnico V and it makes enough noise.. damn... 3 supers...

Instant summer..... hahaha same here in good old PEI my friend, furnace on one day.... next day sweating balls at night with a fan on. Great videos!

'crowning' Specialist stuff Ay.

Well for a $600 range guitar, with the options it has, and the fact its aimed at Jerry Garcia enthusiasts it really doesnt seem like too bad of an instrument. Compared to the REAL Tiger though, its like comparing a Fiat to a Ferrari

That was a Good Video!!!!.......I laughed..... I cried........I came to terms with my mortality......Right on Dave .........the comments were pretty heated...touchy subject!!!

Now that's a hippie sandwich - cheers!

I wonder why people install pickups with the smallest possible length of wire to the pots? Just makes working on the electrics a real pain and does not make the guitar perform any bettef at all.

Ouch! That is one hell hole with wires.

I have had them go wonky right where you are getting that when it has a two way truss rod and when I have to induce bow it happens. When the neck is flat or back bowed with no pressure on the rod .

Nice job, you are truly a funny guy! Thanks...

Needs a couple more toggle switches

lel, looks like the flight deck of the Concorde... theirs a guitar in there somewhere!

Good times in there.

Another way to check neck straightness is to get some aluminum rod, cut three little pieces, place one at each end of the fretboard and one in the middle, and place the straight edge on those. If it touches all three then it's straight. I don't trust notched straight edges, seen too many that aren't actually straight.

Electrical diagnostics on that thing look like......fun.

You don't have 9 volt batteries????

Can I hire the guy who taught that cool cat to play keyboards? My cat is always asking to play the drums but I cant deal with the noise. Dave, PLEASE hook me up with the cat keyboard instructor. Then my cat can practice keys all night with headphones. Its tough when you have a musiclly gifted cat. Just as long as I can keep him occupied and off the kitty weed.

Now on their site they have a video saying they level and dress all necks for the customer. Cheers Dave.

A Rosebud clone with a unity gain buffer and an onboard effects loop; Along with coil splitters and Dimarzio Super 2 pickups.

Awesome content! One question, when you check the neck straightness, you're capo-ing the 1st fret and then you fret a higher fret. Which high fret are you holding? And then how much slack are you looking for in the middle?

Needs more cowbell....🎼🎼

You're a brave man, I wouldn't have touched this thing with a stick...

your videos give me asmr

Grateful Phrets

Thank you for sharing

Gorgeous axe

If you don't have a spare 9V battery, I highly doubt you have a TRS cable and Obel box on hand to test any of the OBEL circuits. :) But respect for you attention to details on the frets, neck and wiring. Doug Irwin Inspires some amazing guitars.

I knew Doug Irwin. I haven't seen him lately. Are the tone and volume pots sealed NASA grade pots. Big pots like $75 a piece back in the day. I played the Tiger. It was a heavy guitar with a broad neck. It had the NASA grade pots. With a big broad strap to go with it.

Dave can you tell me how you opened the battery compartment? Have the same compartment on a Les Paul that I can't open, and I don't want to break it.

the guitar whisperer doesn't have a 9 volt? Shame on you, I'll bet that guitar makes some funky sounds? But we'll never know...

Eat beef STEW Mac and cheese ...

It reminds me of this crapsumoku type guitar that seen many a bench in its time. Switching every thing except what you want when you needed it.....

I'm a lifelong Dead fan and have almost bought one of the 3-4 Jerry models they sell on a few occasions. For less than a Mexican Strat I wasn't expecting a Doug Irwin original as far as quality, but I assumed it would be better than this! The Asian guitars have improved immensely over the last decade or so, but I guess "Phred" never got that memo. Glad I stayed away

"Kick-Tush Instrument"...stacked pick-ups..

Phred is phugly. I recommend the recycling bin!

This is one of the first models a lot of work has gone down to help fix these problems please don't judge the current company by the early example, this is more or a collective than a one custom builder deal.. fuck it sounds good at the end of the video amazing

Lol who in the hell has been working on this beast? Good job Dave!

OK, Great job, I just don't know why you didn't know or say anything about how Jerry had his guitars built or have a 9 volt battery.

Man!! I gotta order me one of those!

It's a Phred Deadbolt which allegedly has 14 different tone combinations. "Inspired by" Steve Cripe's Lightning Bolt as played by Jerry Garcia. Jerry must have had a better memory than me. I struggle with the combinations on my Jazzmaster.

What do you mean? That looked exactly like a Chinese meal. I was expecting a barbeque.

That plate around the pick ups has got to get in the way

What IS that - a Garcia "Tiger" guitar Copy? Never saw one before..

IDK... I always get hungry for beef stew and mac & cheese when hanging out with Dave.

According to the website, it's a 12 inch radius finger board.

That's a lot of switches 😮

Wow, that's a lot of wires!!!

So many Tiger/Rosebud clones. Cheap ass stuff apparently. Jerry's gettin' a chuckle I'm sure. Hope yer doin' good Dave! PEACE 💀🎸🎵🎶 What's up Dead Head planet?

What's a workshop without a 9 Volt battery?

Should have showed the gizmos. This vid was like a message without a happy ending. Gave it a like anywho. Chooch on, Dave.

That guitar was inspired by a Nanaimo bar.

I have a ‘87 jem 777sk and they also left 0 extra wire

It's a phred liger grateful dead tribute guitar

Someone please give Dave a box of 9v batteries for Xmas. :-)

Looks like a cross between a PRS and a Parker.

Awesome shirt!

Dave - no 9 volt? Did he only ask you to check the neck?

"Hang I while I get my hammer""

Wat a Purdy geetar

It really looked like you had no idea. This is the ONLY video I have seen of someone criticizing this guitar. Everyone else has praised it for it's playability and you didn't play it that much. .