Grateful Guitars Foundation Presented Jake Wolf with a Custom Beam and Support Youth on Record

On January 23, 2025, the Grateful Guitars Foundation presented our first-ever custom Beam to Jake Wolf, a celebrated Colorado drummer and more as well as member of Sages and Spirits, during the band’s first of two nights at Cervantes Masterpiece in Denver. At the same event, the Foundation presented a $5000 donation to Youth on Record, a local non-profit dedicated to empowering young people through music and the arts.

The Beam, created by Eric Mitchell is a unique instrument famously invented by Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead to produce deep, resonant tones that blur the lines between rhythm and melody.

Jake’s custom Beam, handcrafted by Mitchell, represents the culmination of decades of innovation and passion. Mitchell, a retired industrial education teacher and longtime Deadhead, began crafting Beams in 2020 after being inspired by a Dead & Company concert. His workshop in St. Louis is now the only place in the world producing these rare and distinctive instruments.

Jake’s Beam is an Exposed Strings (ES) Model, tailored to his specifications and featuring unique design elements that make it both a functional instrument and a work of art. The Wolf Beam is:

• 7 feet long and 6 inches wide, made of aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum, and powder-coated in gloss black with gold sparkle.
• Equipped with 11 custom strings, tuned in two octaves of D: eight D1 strings (36 Hz) and three D2 strings (72 Hz).
• Features a movable pickup block, clad in quilted purpleheart and flame maple, allowing Jake to adjust the pickup location and angle for tonal precision. The block includes advanced electronics, 18v EMG pickups, and options for mono or stereo output.
• Customized with Jake’s logo carved into the fretboard.

Eric Mitchell, whose passion for The Beam has created a small but dedicated community of players, remarked, “Each Beam I make is special, but this one for Jake is extraordinary. It embodies everything I’ve learned and the unique spirit of the music we love.”

The presentation of The Beam, spearheaded by GGF Board member Nate Binder took place during Sages and Spirits’ performance on January 23. The band, featuring Melvin Seals, Rob Eaton, John Kadlecik, Rob Barraco, Jay Lane, Skip Vangelas, and Jake Wolf, unites musicians with a shared passion for the music of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band. Their collective artistry has made them a beacon for jam band fans.

In addition to honoring Jake Wolf, the evening put a spotlight on the work of Youth on Record, a Denver-based non-profit that uses music to empower youth. Foundation beneficiaries were on-hand all day to assist in all sides of the production and then receive the monetary donation from Grateful Guitars Foundation.

This event perfectly encapsulates the Grateful Guitars Foundation’s mission: ensuring the jam band tradition thrives by supporting musicians and fostering the next generation of artists. We encourage you to support Youth on Record, donate to the Grateful Guitars Foundation, and join in celebrating the extraordinary gifts of music and community. Extra special thanks to GGF Board Member Nate Bidner for making this gift possible, we are beyond grateful for Nate and everything he’s doing to keep the music alive for generations to come.

Links:
www.youthonrecord.org | www.jakewolf.com/ | www.darkstarorchestra