Update

Jerry Garcia used a number of guitars over the course of his illustrious career, but one of the instruments with which he’s most connected was named “Wolf.” The guitar was built by luthier Doug Irwin and delivered to Garcia in 1973. He used the axe for large portions of the ’70s and now Glide Magazine reports that the guitar will soon be put up for auction with proceeds to go to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Glide’s article includes word the current owner of Wolf, who bought the guitar through a 2002 Guernsey’s auction for $700K, will auction Wolf off at a Guernsey’s event to be held at Brooklyn Bowl in New York City on May 31. “Every penny of the amount bid on this extraordinary instrument will go to SPLC.” The current owner said, “I’ve been a fan of The Dead since I was a kid, and playing this iconic guitar over the past 15 years has been a privilege. But the time is right for Wolf to do some good. My wife and I have long supported the efforts of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and if ever we needed the SPLC, we sure do need them now.”

Jerry Garcia first used Wolf on September 5, 1973 as part of a Garcia & Saunders gig at a private party held for the Hell’s Angels. Garcia used the guitar through the first half of 1975 and then again full-time in the fall of 1977 through the summer of 1979 as per Relix. Wolf came out of retirement in 1989 when Garcia started to experiment with MIDI synthesizers and was last thought to be played by Jerry with the Dead on February 23, 1993. Since his passing, the guitar has been used by a number of musicians in a number of settings over the years including by Warren Haynes for many Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration performances.

Those interested in bidding on the Wolf, or attending the auction and preview events should visit www.guernseys.com or contact the auction house in New York at 212-794-2280.