🔥 “Golden Sky”: How John Mayer’s Signature Guitar Was Reborn as a Wild Tribute to Jerry Garcia

John Mayer’s PRS Silver Sky signature model has become one of the most talked-about electric guitars of recent years. Loved by players and collectors alike, it blends vintage inspiration with modern playability. But one luthier decided to push the concept far beyond factory specs — and the result is a bold reinvention now known as the Golden Sky.

Master luthier Jay Faires, working on behalf of Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Eric Krasno, transformed a prototype SE Silver Sky into something truly one of a kind. The project resulted in what is being called the world’s first Golden Sky conversion, complete with a custom neck plate and an eye-catching array of unconventional electronics.

Without diving too deeply into the technical weeds, it’s clear this instrument has been seriously upgraded. The stock single-coil pickups were removed and replaced with a trio of humbuckers, paired with a control layout packed with switches and dual output jacks — instantly signaling expanded tonal flexibility.

While a full technical breakdown hasn’t been released, the guitar features four mini-switches, likely controlling coil-splitting, phase options, and pickup combinations. There’s also a battery compartment on the back of the guitar, suggesting active electronics or perhaps an onboard gain boost.

With its three-humbucker configuration and switch-heavy design, the Golden Sky channels unmistakable Jerry Garcia “Tiger” energy. That connection makes perfect sense: Mayer has long paid tribute to Garcia’s legacy through his work with Dead & Company, and both Faires and Krasno share a deep admiration for the Grateful Dead. A Tiger-meets-Silver Sky hybrid feels not only logical, but inevitable — and undeniably exciting.

The layout similarities are hard to miss. Garcia’s original Tiger offered up to 12 distinct tonal voices, and the Golden Sky appears to stay remarkably close to that ambitious blueprint.

“I’ve been a fan of Eric’s since I was 13, after discovering his band Soulive and following his playing ever since,” Faires wrote on Instagram. “It came as no surprise to learn that he also has a deep-rooted love and respect for the Grateful Dead. The last time Phil Lesh & Friends came through Boston, Eric kindly invited me to the show.

“What I didn’t realize at the time was that it would be the last time I ever saw Phil Lesh perform. That experience meant a great deal to me.”

More than just a custom instrument, the Golden Sky represents history, inspiration, and musical legacy wrapped into a single guitar. These are the kinds of instruments that fuel passion across generations — whether your heart lies with Fender, Gibson, or innovative modern designs from PRS.