Photo: Dino Perrucci

On Saturday, May 10, Tom Hamilton performed at the newly opened Garcia’s venue in Chicago. Before the concert, the venue teased a video of the musician beside the caption: “Surprise! Tom Hamilton is going to be playing Jerry Garcia’s original 1976 Travis Bean TB500 #11 tonight courtesy of Family Guitars, and here’s a ripping taste of sound check!”

Garcia used Travis Bean #11 extensively from 1976 to 1977. Recognized for its opulent white glow, it was the first guitar to feature an onboard effects loop. The instrument was put to work over the weekend while on loan from Family Guitars, which holds a collection of historic instruments like the one used on Saturday. 

During Hamilton’s Windy City performance, he performed the Bob Dylan original, turned mid-70s Jerry Garcia Band standard, “Tangled Up in Blue,” referencing the instrument’s historic lineage. JGB covered “Tangled Up in Blue” over 250 times, beginning in 1976. 

Scroll down to watch a video of Hamilton previewing his stand at Garcia’s.