Grateful Dead Amplifier Case
Musician
Grateful Dead
(American, 1965 - 1995)
Maker
Zero Manufacturing, Inc.
Date1973-1976
ClassificationsMusic
DimensionsOverall: 19 x 21 x 21 in. (48.3 x 53.3 x 53.3 cm)
DescriptionA custom road case built for the Grateful Dead, c. 1973-1976. This purple two-part metal case features latches on each side, and a rubber seal and release valve system. It is custom sized to fit a McIntosh 2300 amplifier, the equipment used to make up the Dead's "Wall of Sound." The case still bears an American flag sticker on one side and an airline sticker at top.According to longtime Grateful Dead road manager "Big Steve" Parish: "As we were building the Wall of Sound and we had over 70 Mac 2300 amps powering the Wall. In order to travel with them safely in trucks, we originally found army surplus cases that were military spec. We bought 3 of those and they fit a Mac 2300 perfectly. The orange and purple cases were designed and built by the Zero case company [sic], copied after the military surplus cases and painted with bright colors to identify them. They served us well."
