A bass guitar which was owned and used by the late musician Dusty Hill, has sold at a recent auction for $393,700 (£313,830).
The 1953 Butterscotch Fender Precision bass guitar, which was owned by the late ZZ Top icon, became the second most expensive bass guitar to be sold under the hammer.
This bass guitar was used by Dusty Hill both in the studio, and on stage. It also featured on the cover of the band’s ‘Fandango!’ album from 1975.
Paul McCartney’s Yamaha BB-1200 bass, is the only bass guitar which has sold for more, having sold for $471,900 in 2021. The proceeds went to the Music Rising Charity.
A bass guitar which was sold under the hammer, and owned Rolling Stones’ Billy Wyman, fetched for $384,000. This Fender Mustang sold in 2020.
“between a Beatle and a Rolling Stone”
Reacting to the sale, Dusty Hill’s widow, Charlene McCrory Hill said that her late husband would be proud to be amongst such high profile company.
“Dusty would be so pleased to know his bass is between a Beatle and a Rolling Stone!”, she said.
Hill’s guitar was also described as, “1953 Fender Precision bass, serial number 970, in butterscotch finish with black pickguard, the instrument is in all original 7/10 condition, in period tweed case with a great deal of wear and an extraordinary assortment of stickers”.
Sold as part of Julien’s Auctions ‘The Collection Of Dusty Hill Of ZZ Top’, it also included some of Hill’s trademark attire, along with other rare items.
Back in August 2021, ZZ Top played their first show following the death of Dusty Hill a few months earlier. More on this from Nova here.
Earlier this year, Billy Gibbons also joined Billy Joel to cover a few classic tracks ZZ Top tracks.
