Grateful Dead Music Forum

HI,

So recently I have seen a tribute to Jerrys final commissioned guitar "Top Hat" go up for sale. This version was made by Phiga Guitars, aka Phil Gawen. I have not seen many replicas of Jerry's "final" guitar, but looking closer it seems he made a few during the 2022 run.

I'm really tempted to pull the trigger, as it looks really good.

But I'd thought I'd ask here and see if anyone here had gotten one of the other ones and how they like it. What are the specs and how similar is it to his Bolts, if you can compare. Or just tell me how you like your Bolts, since they're similar enough guitars.

I've also heard about Phiga having a lifetime warranty, does this extend to secondhand buyers, or only the original buyer?

Thanks!

Ooops! Double post, see below.

FWIW, I had one of the first Castas several years ago. It had a baseball bat neck and a goiter-like volute. Looking at his website, the necks for all his guitars are still described as "thick". I wound up trading the Casta due to the large neck. Otherwise, the guitar was very finely crafted. One point of note: Phil's website lists all his guitars as having a 25" scale length. Wolf, and other Jerry guitars, except the Gibsons, were 25.5" scale length.

Bill, tgo

I have a 2019 or 2020 Tiger that I love. Build quality is excellent and I've not had any issues with it.

I've always loved the Cripes, and bought one of his Top Hat last year. I think it's a bargain for $1850. I don't think he uses DiMarzios as standard in these, but I don't find it lacking at all. I would have no hesitation recommending it, especially at that price point.

ETA: if you're talking about the one on Reverb/eBay, that is a total and laughable ripoff at $2900. Contact Phil -- I'm pretty sure he has more Top Hats.

If anyone is interested in a Phiga Bolt, I have one for sale.
It is this guitar https://www.philgawen.com/cur%20bolt%202.htm
Instead of the bolt it has a Skull and Roses cap that Phil custom made for me.
The guitar is not perfect and it was one of the first guitars that Phil put a Waldo buffer in and it has never been right. I have not played it in years and I would think you would want to do a rewire on it.
It has 3 Super 2's which was an upgrade from Phil at the time.
It has good bones and a hardshell case and is available today.

First $1600 takes it plus shipping.
I am in NY in the lower Hudson Valley if you would like to meet in the Tri State area. Happy to drive a bit.
Bill

ssmug wrote: ↑Sat Jun 10, 2023 6:29 am ETA: if you're talking about the one on Reverb/eBay, that is a total and laughable ripoff at $2900. Contact Phil -- I'm pretty sure he has more Top Hats.

Yeah, that’s the one I spotted. I looked nice. Glad to know I could get a better deal from Phil.

You don’t see that many tributes to Top Hat out there, and I think that what intrigued me most about it.

The Cripes designs have really been growing on me lately.

lightningbolt wrote: ↑Sat Jun 10, 2023 9:46 am If anyone is interested in a Phiga Bolt, I have one for sale.
It is this guitar https://www.philgawen.com/cur%20bolt%202.htm
Instead of the bolt it has a Skull and Roses cap that Phil custom made for me.
The guitar is not perfect and it was one of the first guitars that Phil put a Waldo buffer in and it has never been right. I have not played it in years and I would think you would want to do a rewire on it.
It has 3 Super 2's which was an upgrade from Phil at the time.
It has good bones and a hardshell case and is available today.

First $1600 takes it plus shipping.
I am in NY in the lower Hudson Valley if you would like to meet in the Tri State area. Happy to drive a bit.
Bill

I attempted to send you a private message but it's stuck in the Outbox??

ace

BDubbbzz wrote: ↑Sat Jun 10, 2023 4:10 pm

ssmug wrote: ↑Sat Jun 10, 2023 6:29 am ETA: if you're talking about the one on Reverb/eBay, that is a total and laughable ripoff at $2900. Contact Phil -- I'm pretty sure he has more Top Hats.

Yeah, that’s the one I spotted. I looked nice. Glad to know I could get a better deal from Phil.

You don’t see that many tributes to Top Hat out there, and I think that what intrigued me most about it.

The Cripes designs have really been growing on me lately.

I've always loved the Cripes. I was going to get a Bolt, but for some reason he was using a relatively light-colored wood for the top (I forget which), so I went with Top Hat.

mkaufman wrote: ↑Sat Jun 10, 2023 5:07 pm

lightningbolt wrote: ↑Sat Jun 10, 2023 9:46 am If anyone is interested in a Phiga Bolt, I have one for sale.
It is this guitar https://www.philgawen.com/cur%20bolt%202.htm
Instead of the bolt it has a Skull and Roses cap that Phil custom made for me.
The guitar is not perfect and it was one of the first guitars that Phil put a Waldo buffer in and it has never been right. I have not played it in years and I would think you would want to do a rewire on it.
It has 3 Super 2's which was an upgrade from Phil at the time.
It has good bones and a hardshell case and is available today.

First $1600 takes it plus shipping.
I am in NY in the lower Hudson Valley if you would like to meet in the Tri State area. Happy to drive a bit.
Bill

I attempted to send you a private message but it's stuck in the Outbox??

ace

I just PM'd you back.

ssmug wrote: ↑Sun Jun 11, 2023 2:48 pm I've always loved the Cripes. I was going to get a Bolt, but for some reason he was using a relatively light-colored wood for the top (I forget which), so I went with Top Hat.

I've been emailing with Phil and he's working on a few Top Hats. And for significantly cheaper for that Reverb listing, which I see has been sold.

The Cripes inspired guitars look amazing. Have you gotten your already or are you waiting on your Top Hat?

BDubbbzz wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 6:17 am

ssmug wrote: ↑Sun Jun 11, 2023 2:48 pm I've always loved the Cripes. I was going to get a Bolt, but for some reason he was using a relatively light-colored wood for the top (I forget which), so I went with Top Hat.

I've been emailing with Phil and he's working on a few Top Hats. And for significantly cheaper for that Reverb listing, which I see has been sold.

The Cripes inspired guitars look amazing. Have you gotten your already or are you waiting on your Top Hat?

I got it last November or December. Love it.

ssmug wrote: ↑Mon Jun 12, 2023 6:30 am I got it last November or December. Love it.

Any chance of uploading some photos?

I'd love to see how yours turned out!

These are the pics from Phil's site

https://imgur.com/a/c1JQUb9

ssmug wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 4:47 am These are the pics from Phil's site

https://imgur.com/a/c1JQUb9

That looks awesome! What are the woods that were used?

Slewfoot2000 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 7:26 am

ssmug wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 4:47 am These are the pics from Phil's site

https://imgur.com/a/c1JQUb9

That looks awesome! What are the woods that were used?

The top is Bolivian walnut and the core is Honduran Mahogany. I don't recall the neck woods