AVA Technologies

Jerry Garcia's ‘Budman’ McIntosh MC2300 Amplifier Sold for $381,000

Sold at auction at Christie’s on March 12, 2026 for $381,000, this legendary amplifier remains one of the most iconic pieces in Grateful Dead history. The Dead were one of the most culturally significant bands and they relied on a stage full of McIntosh amplifiers to help them perform their music to their standards.

Crew member “Big” Steve Parish said: “When the MC2300 power amp came out we bought 70 of them, and put them throughout the system, but this is the one that Jerry liked the best and he played through it for years… At some point, Ram Rod stuck that Budweiser Budman sticker on it one day and it’s instantly recognizable as Jerry’s.”

THE GRATEFUL DEAD: JERRY GARCIA'S 'BUDMAN' MCINTOSH MC2300 AMPLIFIER, MCINTOSH LABORATORY INCORPORATED, BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1973 | Christie's MCINTOSH LABORATORY INCORPORATED, BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1973