U2’s Adam Clayton Opens His Bass Vault for Julien’s “Played, Worn & Torn” Auction
U2’s Adam Clayton has partnered with Julien’s Auctions for the first-ever exhibition of his personal bass guitars, followed by a live and online auction this November. The basses will include those used during U2’s touring and recording sessions as well as vintage Fenders from his low end arsenal.
“Played, Worn, & Torn Featuring The Adam Clayton Collection” is an exclusive three-week exhbition showcasing 18 of his basses to the public at The Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Co. Kidare, Ireland. The exhibit has already begun and will run until November 9th. Then Julien’s Auctions will launch the “Played, Worn, And Torn” auction over two days – November 20th and November 21st – at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum in the historic Municipal Auditorium and online on their website.
“I’m fortunate enough to have owned many wonderful instruments in my life and I have amassed a very personal collection of basses over the last 40 years,” Clayton states. “They have all become favourites for one reason or another, a reminder of a particular tour or recording session. I return to them time and time again, it’s a very special relationship, I can’t really explain it…, My only regret is that I don’t get to play them all as often as I would like, a musical instrument needs time and attention… I’ll be sad to see these basses go but this is an opportunity to give each and every one of them a new home in the care of a new owner. And maybe they can become someone else’s favourite.”
Highlights from the auction include:
- Clayton’s 2014 Sherwood Green signature Fender Jazz, which he used during U2’s “Innocence + Experience” tour in 2015. (estimate: $40,000-$60,000)
- A 2001 Lakland Joe Osborn J Sunburst Bass used during U2’s “Vertigo” tour(estimate: $20,000-$40,000)
- A 2010 Gold Sparkle Fender Adam Clayon Precision Bass deemed a “mistake” by Clayton’s guitar technician due to the Jazz Bass decaled headstock (estimate: $40,000-$60,000)
- A 2010 Warwick Gold Reverso Bass used during U2’s “360” Tour (estimate each: $20,000-$40,000)
Julien’s Auctions says the roundup also includes “Clayton’s prized Fender Jazz Basses ranging from 1960s to 1970s models in Sunburst, Ice Blue Metallic, Lake Placid Blue; and more!”
For more info or to place a bid, visit the Julien’s Auctions website.
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.
