$394.000 Precision

[Green Hornet]

On the Auction's website, it states that Dusty's Widow will donate a portion of the proceeds to the nonprofit group Musicares:
'They offer preventive care, recovery programs, and support the health and welfare of the music community.'

 

[Plain Old Barry]

I bet Billy bought it to support Dusty's wife and family.

Interesting thought!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

$394K because of the Dusty Hill connection. It could have been a Harley Benton and it would have still gone for the same price. It's going to go in someone's collection or on the wall in their restaurant or museum. They're not crazy for paying that much. They have the disposable income to pay what they bid and are feeling no regrets on paying that much. They're as happy as one of us finding a pre CBS Fender in a pawn shop for $50. Well, we would never pay that little, we would inform the owner of the actual value. Heh.

 

[bassliner50]

Can you pay more if you want to?

 

[ThomasTronics]

$394K because of the Dusty Hill connection. It could have been a Harley Benton and it would have still gone for the same price. It's going to go in someone's collection or on the wall in their restaurant or museum. They're not crazy for paying that much. They have the disposable income to pay what they bid and are feeling no regrets on paying that much. They're as happy as one of us finding a pre CBS Fender in a pawn shop for $50. Well, we would never pay that little, we would inform the owner of the actual value. Heh.

I think the fact that it is one of the original P Basses adds value. You're logic implies all the other basses for sale in the auction sold for the same price.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I think the fact that it is one of the original P Basses adds value. You're logic implies all the other basses for sale in the auction sold for the same price.

Wasn't this his #1? The Fender add-on is round-off error on the final price.

 

[Major Seven]

And that's before the modding costs.... Hipshot ultralights, Nordstrand pickup, preamp, hi mass bridge...

and refinishing.

 

[bassdude51]

In the USA and don't ask me why but for thousands and millions, etc.............we use the coma for stuff over $999. Like $1,000. $394.000 is like three hundred ninety-four dollars and no cents.

Yeah, it sold for $393,700.00...........OUCH! But, it is a historical bass, a 1953 which in itself can sell for $20,000 to $50,000. But it was owned by Dusty Hill of ZZ TOP. It will hold is value and certainly rise! Depending on the world's iffy future.

A bass not to be played but collected

I'm too lazy to dig up info on other musician's instruments but an example was Freddie Mercury's piano which sold for over 2 million!!!!!!! Talk about "OUCH"!!!!!!!!!

By the way, I know of a "dude" who bought a Feb. 1953 all original P Bass for $8,000 about 6 or 7 years ago. Aftermath of the 2008 stock market crash and major drop in vintage guitar and bass prices.

(Yes, the steel saddles were replaced with phenolic since this photo.)

 

[JimmyM]

If someone has the money and like to have it, ok.
I’d like to know about that bass. I think DH had dozens or even hundred of basses. Is that "just some ’53 PB” , or has it really that history: bought from a pawn shop for 70 USD.

I never saw him use anything but that bass till 1980.

 

[elkkid2]

Hey...it's a 1953 Fender, and Dusty Hills's bass. --WORTH IT!!!

 

[DirkP]

As a player, I don’t care. There are tons of instruments available that are equal or better for < 2.000,- or even < 1.000,-.
An instrument is a tool for a musician. Playing such an instrument outside a special situation would feel like wearing a jeans that’s worth a million and could loose its value if the slightest amount of dirt gets in touch with it in an everyday situation. Let the collectors collect. The myth of old instruments with that magic sound is even highly questionable in the case of stradivaris as recent studies have shown in a convincing way.

 

[prowla]

They're not buying a bass - they're buying an idea.

 

[JRA]

'worship' vs. work! his family benefitted from his work, but i'm sure they now appreciate the worship.

 

[Matt O]

I'm too lazy to dig up info on other musician's instruments but an example was Freddie Mercury's piano which sold for over 2 million!!!!!!! Talk about "OUCH"!!!!!!!!!

That’s a lot of coin for a piano, but have you seen what some of Kurt Cobain’s guitars have sold for? His Martin acoustic sold for 6 million and the Mustang he played in the teen spirit video sold for 4.5 million.

 

[jimmydean]

Don't forget the Auction House fee that should take it up to $450,000.00 plus range .....every little bit counts .

 

[roller]

... although Fodera is working on it.

There isn't a bass on earth worth more than $299,000.

 

[packhowitzer]

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I chose "Don't care" - it doesn't bother me in the least.

There's plenty of great basses out there for everyone.
We've never had it so good when it comes to variety, quality, and affordability of choices.

relieved?

I was actually quite p.o.'d!

 

[bubinga5]

Some idiot with too much money will buy it

 

[MichelD]

Imagine the look on the persons face who sold it for $70...

Well, at the time there was not this stupid overinflated collector market. An old bass was an old bass and it sold for what it was; a slab of wood with a pickup, a neck and four strings on it.