Adam Clayton, John McVie & Dusty Hill Basses Hit the Auction Block
Julien’s Auctions has launched another round of its “Music Icons” event, and this year’s collection features pieces from Ace Frehley of KISS, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnny Cash, Eddie Van Halen, Kirk Hammett, and more. The two-day auction will take place May 29th and 30th, live from Hard Rock Cafe Times Square in New York City.
“Interest in music memorabilia is reaching unprecedented levels, fueled by collectors who appreciate both the cultural significance of these instruments and the legacy of the artists behind them—often resulting in record-breaking sales,” said Martin Nolan, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. “Our annual Music Icons auction, featuring extraordinary guitars from Ace Frehley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Kirk Hammett, underscores Julien’s ongoing commitment to bringing museum-quality pieces to market while shaping the global conversation around music collecting.”
The auction includes several bass highlights. First up is Adam Clayton‘s vintage 1972 Fender Jazz, which he used to record 1984’s Unforgettable Fire. It originally had a sunburst finish and maple neck, though Clayton had the body refinished, then paired it with a 1966 Jazz Bass neck complete with block inlays and a rosewood fretboard. The bass has an estimated sale price between $20,000 and $40,000.
You can see the bass in its original form during U2’s historic Live Aid 1985 performance:
Another vintage Fender in the lot is John McVie‘s 1960 Precision Bass. Julien’s Auctions explains that he acquired it in the 1960s and used it throughout his career, from Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green era through their 2013 tour. The bass has also had some work done, but the original pickups come in the package.
“The electronics were changed by or for McVie at some point to an EMG Precision bass pickup and wiring harness,” Julien’s writes. “The original pickup and electronics are present in the case with a visible potentiometer code dating to the 49th week of 1960. The original electronics are still wrapped in plastic and gaff tape, unopened as it arrived from McVie.”
Julien’s expects the bass to fetch between $20,000 and $30,000.
Late ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill‘s Fender Custom Shop Precision is also on the block. It features a black and silver Paisley Skull foil peper finish on the body top, fretboard, and headstock.
Other highlights include Night Ranger bassist Jack Blades‘s 1983 Hamer used in the “Sister Christian” music video, a Trace Elliot amp played by Krist Novoselic in the studio, Tracee Mae Miller‘s Framus 5/149 Star Bass, several of David Ellefson‘s stage-played Jackson basses, and more.
For the full auction details, visit Julien’s Auctions.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
