Grateful Guitars Foundation Announces Annual Benefit Auction with Music Heals International, Featuring “Dire Wolf” Bass Played by Oteil Burbridge
The Grateful Guitars Foundation has outlined the details of its annual benefit auction, slated to open on May 26, with a one-month bidding window ending on June 26. As a preview of what’s to come, this year’s marquee item has been revealed: A “Dire Wolf” Bass modeled after Jerry Garcia’s legendary Doug Irwin-built Wolf guitar, previously tested and signed by Oteil Burbridge during Grahame Lesh & Friends’ Unbroken Chain concert at The Fillmore in San Francisco on March 22, 2026. The forthcoming benefit will also aid Music Heals International.
According to an overview of the auction’s headliner, the aforementioned custom bass was modeled and built to Burbidge’s specification by trusted luthier Bill Asher. Only the second made, the instrument was originally gifted by GGF to the bassist at Red Rocks in Morris, Colo., on July 6, 2025, in recognition and appreciation of his contribution and enduring commitment to live music.
GGF founder Andy Logan says, “Grateful Guitars is extremely thankful to Oteil Burbridge for his immense generosity paying it forward in support of music education by offering the second stunning Bill Asher Dire Wolf for our upcoming summer auction with Music Heals International. For fans who attended GD 60 at Golden Gate Park or the recent Grahame Lesh & Friends shows, they experienced the full impact of the huge bottom end of the Dire Wolf bass.”
Logan continues, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a fan to own an Oteil Burbridge stage-played and signed Dire Wolf bass with unique artwork that exists only on Oteil’s basses. We’re hoping Oteil’s unique generosity will inspire fans to back these two wonderful causes. Music Heals International supports music education internationally and Grateful Guitars supports music education domestically, so our missions are well aligned to spread the joy and healing aspects of music around the world.”
According to the plan, “Proceeds will be split equally between GGF, which supports music education and instrument access for young musicians across the United States, and Music Heals International, which has spent over a decade using music as a vehicle for healing and opportunity in communities in Haiti, India, and Venezuela.”
Sara Wasserman, Founder and Executive Director, Music Heals International, adds, “Music Heals International was born from a deep belief in the power of music to transform lives—a belief I inherited from my father. Partnering with Grateful Guitars Foundation allows us to carry that legacy forward, placing instruments with history and soul into the hands of the next generation, where healing, creativity, and connection begin.”
The auction opens on Tuesday, May 26, and will close on Friday, June 26. The estimated value for the marque bass is set between $50,000 to $100,000.
Sign up to be notified when bidding opens: https://forms.gle/BBNa9Coyn6GvS8hV9.