Wolf Triple Cream '78

An exclusive 2025 Limited Edition.
Smooth, yet robust, the Triple Cream '78 Wolf unlocks
the long sought after tone of Jerry Garcia.

An exclusive 2025 Limited Edition.
Smooth, yet robust, the Triple Cream '78 Wolf unlocks the long sought after tone of Jerry Garcia.

Contact to Order

The Wolf Triple Cream '78 Edition

We are now offering this 1978 version of Wolf to capture the sound, look and feel of the original Irwin Wolf played by Jerry Garcia. The 2025 edition is an edition of 10 (#1-#10).

In 1978 Jerry Garcia brought the Wolf back to Doug Irwin to change out the single coil pickups with Dimarzio Cream SDS1 Single coil and two Cream Dual Sound humbuckers. The mini toggles for the humbuckers were wired for Series/Parallel along with a Source Follower Buffer.

Master-Built Wolf Guitar Features

Each Wolf guitar is individually crafted by master luthier Bill Asher, combining traditional American guitar-building techniques with modern precision engineering. These instruments represent the highest level of custom guitar craftsmanship.

Authenticity Guarantee

Personal inspection by Doug Irwin
Certificate of Authenticity, signed by Doug Irwin

Authentic Construction

11-layer body featuring purpleheart and maple veneers
Semi-hollow purpleheart core for superior resonance
5A master-grade quilted maple top and back
Custom Eagle and Fretboard inlay crafted with synthetic ivory
Hand-selected tone woods for each build

Signature Details

Neck-thru design for maximum sustain, a main characteristic of Wolf
5 piece in Curly Maple with dual Purple Heart layers
14" radius Gabon ebony fretboard
1 11/16" nut width for optimal playability
Precision-carved C neck profile .875 to .980

Electronics & Hardware

Military grade sealed Potentiometers, .022 Orange Dot Tone capacitors
Full electrostatic shielding of components
U-Channel machined Brass nickel plated 1970’s reproduction bridge
Turner-style brass tone block for a richer tone and sustain
Brass Irwin pickup plate and Tailpiece
Irwin decorative switch and serial number plate
German Schaller tuning machines

Available Configurations

Original '73
Bare-knuckle single coils, peacock headstock inlay, "sticker" inlays
'77 - mid '78
Triple single coil, OBEL system with source follower buffer, Eagle headstock inlay, updated Wolf inlay
Late '78
Single coil/dual humbucker configuration

Reserve your Wolf Triple Cream '78

Each guitar is built-to-order, handcrafted to your exact specifications.
Lead times vary based on demand.

Each guitar is built-to-order, handcrafted to your exact specifications. Lead times vary based on demand.

Technical Specs

scale length ~ 25.5 inches
body wood ~ purple heart, maple, book-matched quilted maple
neck ~ 5-layer lamination of purple heart and fiddleback maple with sterling silver side dots
neck specs ~ .875--> .980 "C" shape carve
fret board ~ African ebony with mother of pearl and faux ivory inlay
headstock ~ African ebony, with 4-layer binding and mother of pearl signature eagle inlay
SDS (aged white), Super 2 (cream), Super 2 (cream)
controls ~ master volume, master tone, 5 way, military spec components
extra controls ~ 2 subminiature switches for humbucker pickup coils / series parallel
"Wolf" inlay front medallion
bridge ~ U-Channel
machine heads ~ Schaller 3 x 3
finish ~ Glasurit lacquer
nut width ~ 1 11/16"
number of frets ~ 24
case ~ custom embellished hard shell
documentation: signed Certificate Of Authenticity from Irwin Guitars by Master Builder Bill Asher
strings ~ .010-.046 Nickel Round Wound
price ~ $25,000