Grateful Dead Music Forum

I know some folks here are familiar with AO guitars... I was talking to Andrew about cables and a junction box and we got to talking about The Hawg and some other guitars. I find the Hawg to be growing on me to the point of eyeing it as my next project. I am not sure I will ever go the replica route (just personal preference) but I do love the Irwin horns and the Hawg is right on. I plan on visiting AO guitars to pick up some cables and such when my Resurrection Eagle comes in. I hope there is one there so take a look at. Check these out!

The Hawg





Jerry Wood Trey style



This might be the sweetest Koa I have seen




Here is his site

http://www.aoguitars.com/modules.php?op ... file=index

Sorry for the infomercial but I am addicted to handmade instruments!

Man oh man... That Jerry Annastasio is GORGEOUS!

strumminsix wrote:Man oh man... That Jerry Annastasio is GORGEOUS!

Nothing against Trey, but don't ever say that again.

hogan wrote:

strumminsix wrote:Man oh man... That Jerry Annastasio is GORGEOUS!

Nothing against Trey, but don't ever say that again.

The guitar, dude, the guitar


(FTR, as much as I totally enjoy Phish as a band, Trey is not that inspiring as a guitarist)

I sense a new thread?

Wow. I find Trey completely inspiring... especially before and after his H years.

The Hawg is a cool looking beast, has anyone seen any of the Garica/Irwin Replica guitar's Andrew has made? I know he has been busing building them according to his website but i have never seen any pic of Andrew's take on Irwin's guitars.

Rusty the Scoob wrote:Wow. I find Trey completely inspiring... especially before and after his H years.

I thought it was oxy?

Back to the point of this thread. AO guitars are the shiznit...

SpaceYrface43 wrote:The Hawg is a cool looking beast, has anyone seen any of the Garica/Irwin Replica guitar's Andrew has made? I know he has been busing building them according to his website but i have never seen any pic of Andrew's take on Irwin's guitars.

I had the opportunity to visit Andrew earlier this year and check out his (very impressive) shop. I had stumbled across AO Guitars on this site and when I saw he was in Maine I thought I would check him out on my upcoming trip to New Hampshire. I sent him an email, and we quickly figured out a day and time I could drive up to Freeport. With a recent interest in hand crafted, custom guitars made from exotic woods I thought it would be pretty cool to check out his wares. What I didn't expect was to meet a really cool guy willing to share his time and work with a stranger for more than two hours talking guitar making, the dead, music, business etc. In short, I had a really good time.

To the question at hand, Andrew had a number of "tribute" guitars in various stages, all very impressive looking. In addition, I believe he has exact specs on the guitars as he has had the opportunity to "visit" with them at the R&R Hall w/ Waldo et al. Obviously Andrew could speak to this way more competently and ably than I. If you are at all interested in any type of custom guitar, you should give him a call.

John in San Diego

Hey guys, thanks for the thread and the kind words! It's funny, I just rejuvenated work on the two Hawgs that I have as I've been working on a couple Rosebuds and couple Wolfs. The design started as an "inspired by" Irwin vibe back maybe 15 years ago when I was in college. I have actually been thinking about posting pics of them up here to see if there is any interest--they're both routed for two humbuckers at the moment, but I figure if anyone jumps on them, they can tell me what they want. The first is the one pictured above--Claro Walnut top/Quilted Maple back with some Padauk, Curly Maple and other veneers, and a matching 7 piece Curly Maple neck. The second is a solid chunk of really old Mahogany body/Mahogany neck with a Madagascar Rosewood fingerboard. I'd be happy to post more pics if anyone wants...same with the Irwins that are in the works.

rugger wrote:

SpaceYrface43 wrote:The Hawg is a cool looking beast, has anyone seen any of the Garica/Irwin Replica guitar's Andrew has made? I know he has been busing building them according to his website but i have never seen any pic of Andrew's take on Irwin's guitars.

I had the opportunity to visit Andrew earlier this year and check out his (very impressive) shop. I had stumbled across AO Guitars on this site and when I saw he was in Maine I thought I would check him out on my upcoming trip to New Hampshire. I sent him an email, and we quickly figured out a day and time I could drive up to Freeport. With a recent interest in hand crafted, custom guitars made from exotic woods I thought it would be pretty cool to check out his wares. What I didn't expect was to meet a really cool guy willing to share his time and work with a stranger for more than two hours talking guitar making, the dead, music, business etc. In short, I had a really good time.

To the question at hand, Andrew had a number of "tribute" guitars in various stages, all very impressive looking. In addition, I believe he has exact specs on the guitars as he has had the opportunity to "visit" with them at the R&R Hall w/ Waldo et al. Obviously Andrew could speak to this way more competently and ably than I. If you are at all interested in any type of custom guitar, you should give him a call.

John in San Diego

I should also mention that John was a pleasure to hang with, as we immediately had plenty to talk about with guitars, gear, The Dead, you name it. AND, he sent me a bottle of Jameson the following week. A guest like that is always welcome here at AO Guitars

Andrew, would you mind posting some pictures of the Wolf's,Rosebud and hawgs you are currently working on.
Thanks in advance.

Yes please! I'd like to see them as well - even though those skinny little strings don't fit under my fingers.

I saw some early pics and the replicas are looking tasty.

mmmmmmm.. Claro Walnut