Grateful Guitars Foundation to Auction Mission Control Replica Played & Signed by Oteil Burbridge at Sphere
Photo © Jay Blakesberg
The Grateful Guitars Foundation is thrilled to announce the marquee item of this summer’s annual Benefit Auction is the Osiris Mission Control Replica Bass #2, masterfully crafted by renowned luthier Leo Elliott of Scarlet Fire Guitars, and played and signed by Oteil Burbridge during the Dead & Company run at Sphere April 24-26, 2025. This exclusive event aims to raise funds to support our mission of providing world-class instruments to talented musicians dedicated to preserving and advancing jam band music, and partnering with aligned music-education non-profits to seed the next generation of talent.
Burbridge shared on his Facebook page, “It’s one thing to get to play with Dead & Company – It’s another to play with Dead & Co at Sphere Vegas – but it’s extra special to be able to strap on this amazing replica of Phil Lesh’s Osiris bass, otherwise known as Mission Control…”
He continued, “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!”
Wrapping up, Burbridge pointed to the historic recordings that showcased Lesh’s original bass, emphasizing its lasting impact by saying, “But after a lot of feeling around in the dark 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!”
In addition to this marquee item, the auction will feature a handful of high-end collectables, with details to be unveiled in the coming weeks. We invite all interested Deadheads to sign up now to be notified when bidding opens and to stay updated on auction items by following this link now:
How You Can Support GGF
By donating to the Grateful Guitars Foundation, you help continue the tradition of gifting instruments to musicians who carry forward the music we love. Your support also funds our educational programs, helping to inspire the next generation. Consider making a donation today to be part of this ever-growing legacy.