Tom Hamilton brought a special piece of music history to the stage on Saturday night at the newly opened Garcia’s Chicago. The Joe Russo’s Almost Dead guitarist performed using Jerry Garcia’s legendary Travis Bean TB500 guitar from 1976, adding a deeply nostalgic touch to the evening’s concert.
Jerry Garcia, the iconic Grateful Dead guitarist, spent a brief but notable period in the mid-1970s experimenting with Travis Bean guitars. Known for their unique design featuring a metal neck paired with a wooden fretboard, and a hollow pan machined from the same billet as the neck, Travis Beans stood out for their exceptional sustain — something Garcia particularly appreciated.
From late 1976 to the fall of 1977, Garcia primarily played two Travis Bean models: the TB1000 and the much rarer TB500. It was the TB500 — specifically unit #11 — that he used during the Grateful Dead’s legendary Spring/Summer 1977 tour, one of the most beloved eras in the band’s live history.
On Saturday, that very TB500 #11 made its return to the spotlight, thanks to Family Guitars, who provided it for Hamilton to play during his performance at Garcia’s Chicago. The moment carried historical weight, especially for fans of Garcia and the Grateful Dead.
Hamilton was joined by his bandmates — bassist Taylor Ward Shell, drummer Scotty Zwang, and keyboardist Thomas McKee. The group opened the show with “Keep Your Hands To Yourself,” a track from Hamilton’s Ghost Light project, featured on their 2019 album Best Kept Secrets.
Throughout the evening, Hamilton balanced a mix of original material and carefully selected covers. Among the standout renditions were The Beatles’ “Ticket To Ride,” which highlighted the signature tone of the Travis Bean guitar, and Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up In Blue,” a song closely associated with Garcia’s solo work in the Jerry Garcia Band.
The set also included tracks from Hamilton’s American Babies catalog, such as “Old Fashioned,” “Old Time Religion,” and “Synth Driver,” giving the audience a well-rounded musical experience that blended nostalgia with innovation.
Saturday’s concert was more than a typical performance — it was a tribute to Jerry Garcia’s musical legacy, brought to life through one of the guitarist’s most cherished instruments. For those in attendance, it was a rare chance to hear the distinct voice of the Travis Bean TB500 once again resonate on stage, played with reverence and passion by one of today’s foremost interpreters of the Grateful Dead’s spirit.
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