This past weekend at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Oteil Burbridge showcased a special instrument—a meticulously crafted replica of Phil Lesh’s iconic Mission Control #2 Bass. Built by luthier Leo Elliott of Scarlet Fire Guitars, this remarkable bass guitar was commissioned by the Grateful Guitars Foundation and instantly became the centerpiece of attention during select songs.
The bass’s design mirrors the intricate setup that Phil Lesh famously pioneered, featuring a distinctive and highly complex EQ system prominently displayed on its facade. Burbridge shared his experience of handling the bass, humorously noting on Instagram, “This instrument is a beast. I am doing my best to comprehend the elaborate EQ system which you can clearly see on the front of the bass. That’s a lot of knobs! Phil told me it was even hard for him to deal with and he helped design it!”
Despite the challenge, Oteil’s exploration of the instrument proved richly rewarding. "After a lot of feeling around in the dark," he reflected, "I found something I never found before. What a treat to have the chance to try to even get close to the sounds on Mars Hotel, Blues For Allah, Terrapin Station, and Shakedown Street. What an incredible two weeks it has been! This was the coolest way to cap it off!"
Adding to the excitement, this extraordinary bass guitar, personally signed by Burbridge, is set to headline the Annual Grateful Guitars Foundation Benefit Auction. Launching in late spring and concluding with the Dark Star Orchestra's Grateful Guitars Foundation Benefit concert at Pier 17 in New York City on August 15, the auction offers fans and collectors a unique opportunity to own a piece of Grateful Dead legacy. Each bid helps support the foundation's ongoing mission to preserve and celebrate the rich musical heritage associated with the Grateful Dead.
Interested bidders can sign up to be alerted when the bidding officially opens, and the bass will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, further solidifying its prestige as a rare musical treasure.
For more information and to register your interest, visit the auction’s official form here: Grateful Guitars Foundation Auction Signup.
