New Gear: Asher Guitars, Dire Wolf Bass

Bill Asher of Asher Guitars & Lap Steels Unveils the Historic “Dire Wolf Bass” – A Certified Collaboration with Doug Irwin, Now Played by Oteil Burbridge of Dead & Company.

Master luthier Bill Asher has unveiled a singular creation: the Dire Wolf Bass, a historic custom instrument built for bassist Oteil Burbridge, inspired by Doug Irwin’s legendary “Wolf” guitar made famous by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. This bass is not only a remarkable feat of craftsmanship—it represents a milestone moment in music history and custom lutherie.

Photos courtesy of Asher Guitars – Photographer, Jay Blakesberg

What makes the Dire Wolf Bass historic?

For the first time ever, a bass guitar has been created in the spirit of Irwin’s iconic Wolf design—a guitar that has become one of the most recognizable and revered instruments in rock history. Built with the full blessing and input of Doug Irwin, the original designer, and crafted by one of today’s most celebrated luthiers, Bill Asher, the Dire Wolf Bass is the first and only Irwin-inspired bass of its kind.

Oteil Burbridge, known for his work with Dead & Company and The Allman Brothers Band, brings deep legitimacy to this moment. A member of the Grateful Dead family, Oteil’s request for a Wolf-style bass wasn’t just personal—it was symbolic. This instrument connects the past and present, from Garcia’s guitar to the modern Dead legacy carried onstage by Oteil.

“There’s never been anything like this bass before,” said Asher. “To take Doug Irwin’s visionary design and reinterpret it as a bass—with his involvement and Oteil’s trust—was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is about legacy, but it’s also about pushing the boundaries forward.”
Beyond the visual homage—featuring Wolf’s signature contours, exotic tonewoods, brass appointments, and ornate inlays—the bass is a technical and tonal masterpiece. It blends vintage character with cutting-edge playability and electronics tailored to Oteil’s expansive range as a player.

Historically, Doug Irwin’s guitars were known for their intricate artistry and groundbreaking electronics. Garcia’s Wolf, in particular, became a symbol of musical freedom and psychedelic exploration. Now, that lineage continues—through low-end frequencies and new generations of players.

The Dire Wolf Bass is a living tribute: to Jerry Garcia, to Doug Irwin, to the ongoing power of musical craftsmanship—and to the unique role that Bill Asher now plays in that lineage. It’s a rare moment where music history, masterful design, and cultural significance all converge in one instrument.

The Grateful Guitars Foundation presented the Dire Wolf to Oteil during the Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on July 6, 2025. The Dire Wolf Bass debut included the Colorado Symphony and as a surprise, Phish bassist Mike Gordon joined Oteil for an epic two-bass set during “Lay Down Sally” and “Tangled Up in Blue,” culminating in a memorable “Deal.” It was a true double-bass joyride.

A few weeks later at the August 1 show in Golden Gate Park—part of the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary weekend—Oteil unveiled his brand-new Dire Wolf bass to an ecstatic crowd. It wasn’t just a plug-and-play moment; it roared. As reviewer Jody Miller from No Treble put it, Oteil was “laying down some of the nastiest grooves of the night” right out of the gate.

Oteil’s own words underscore a sense of wonder: “I can’t wait to track this Dire Wolf wherever he wants to take me… it’s gonna be an epic journey.”

Construction & Features
• Scale: 34”
• Strings: 6
• Body Wood : Laminate body of purpleheart and quilted maple with partial hollowing to reduce weight
• Neck Wood: A five layer neck laminate of purpleheart and curly maple
• Neck Shape: Wide “C: carve (.82 1st fret – .92 7th fret – .98 12th fret)
• Fretboard: 14” radius ebony with “Wolf” decorative faux ivory inlay
• Nut Width: 2” – 3” at the 24th fret
• Frets: Jescar medium jumbo .047 x .104
• Tuners: Hipshot USA
• Pickups: custom Dimarzio Bass 6 Dual Sounds & SDSI
• Knobs: Machined aluminum replica by Scarlet Fire
• Switches: Series/parallel for middle and bridge humbuckers
• Extra Switches: Effects loop with Waldo buffer
• Bridge: U-channel machined brass, nickel plate
• Tailpiece: Irwin Wolf tailpiece design, nickel-plated brass
• Inlay Front: Dire Wolf Medallion of mother of pearl, ebony, purple heart, brass and stone*
• Inlay Back: Ankh of mother of pearl, abalone and stone**
• Weight: 9.25lbs
• Finish: Glasurit light amber gloss
• Case: Gator TSA hardshell

*Dire Wolf medallion design by Jenny Shuman and Jessica Asher, inlay by Jessica Asher
**Ankh design by Jenny Shuman, inlay by Jessica Asher

For more information, visit online at asherguitars.com.