Oteil Burbridge’s Bass

Oteil Burbridge’s Bass – “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain how this all came about because it’s like a dream to me. I don’t even remember whose idea it was initially to do a bass version of Jerry Garcia‘s Wolf guitar. I’ve seen the original and a couple of the replicas live and up close. I got to hold each of them myself.
However it happened, it’s all actually happening! Wolf has some unique properties. You can hear it on the tapes. Of course a lot of that is Jerry but it’s distinct. I’m so curious to see how those unique properties translate two octaves lower!”
Well we are getting ready to find out because the Dire Wolf is here. The first piece of wood for this guitar was cut from the same batch of wood that Jerry’s Wolf was made with. I almost cried when Bill Asher sent me the video of Doug Irwin up out of his wheelchair cutting it himself.
I’ve learned so much from Bill about Doug and all the associated history of the instruments Jerry and Phil played. Doug is one of a kind and you realize how much magic, skill, love and devotion goes into these instruments when you plug them in and let them out of their cages. These things are alive and ready to roam! I can’t wait to track this Dire Wolf wherever he wants to take me. I have a feeling it’s gonna be an epic journey.
Special thanks to Grateful Guitars Foundation for this beautiful gift, and for honoring it with a $5,000 donation to @candaid to support arts and music education.
We’ll officially unveil the Dire Wolf bass at the Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration at Red Rocks this weekend! Can’t wait to share that moment with all of you. ♥️⚡️💙
Thanks to my wife @jessburbridgeart for the photos.