Hill’s collection sold out and surpassed highest estimates
Julien’s Auctions concluded its marquee event The Collection of Dusty Hill of ZZ Top in a spectacular finish netting over $3 million across the three-day sale making it the highest-grossing single artist auction in the industry-leading music memorabilia auction house’s 2023 season. The event was held Thursday, December 7th Friday, December 8th and Saturday, December 9th, 2023 live and online at the legendary blues rock icon’s birthplace of Dallas, Texas, the first Dallas auction in Julien’s history. The auction also achieved more than three thousand bidders and attracted bidders from across the globe including Australia, Germany, Canada, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and more.
The auction made history with its sale of Hill’s signature 1953 Fender Precision Bass Guitar, the most played instrument by Hill out of all the guitars in this collection, which sold for $393,700, nearly three times the pre-sale high estimate of $80,000-$120,000 after a nearly seven-minute bidding battle. It is now the second highest-selling bass in the world after Paul McCartney’s Yamaha BB-1200 Bass sold in 2021 and in front of Bill Wyman’s Fender Mustang sold in 2020.
Hill’s fur bass guitar played on ZZ Top’s iconic “Legs” music video, sold to a bidder in the room for $317,500, nearly four times its original estimate of $80,000. The 1983 Dean Explorer style bass, in sheepskin finish with ZZ Top logo painted on the fretboard, was attached to a rig worn around Hill’s waist to make it spin.
Hill’s 1980s Gibson Custom Shop Explorer style bass with inscription on the back of headstock reading “To Dusty / Matthew Klein” that was used during the Eliminator tour and other 1980s tours sold for $58,500, nearly four times its original estimate of $15,000.
Hill’s circa 1983, Wayne Charvel, Custom Eliminator Hot Rod-shaped bass guitar in custom red and yellow finish, once displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland made an exciting appearance on the auction stage with a winning bid of $39,000.
Hill’s 2010 Bolin Precision style bass with custom Dusty caricature design on the body with a neck plate reading “The Dust, ZZ Top 2010,” sold for $35,750, more than four times its original estimate of $8,000.
Hill’s circa 1960s “Give Me All Your Lovin” and “Sharp Dressed Man” music video used Fender Telecaster bass in grey/blue finish with custom pinstriping by Houston artist Jim Carnifax done in 1983 sold for $29,250 and was initially estimated to fetch between $15,000 and $25,000.
Hill’s 1970s Charvel Precision style bass in transparent blue finish with gold hardware, with two vintage style P-bass pickups. Dusty was photographed performing with this guitar in the early 1980s sold for $29,250 with an initial estimate of $6,000-$8,000.
Hill’s 2000s Bolin Fender Clone Precision bass nicknamed, “Old Faithful” which was used extensively for live performances including on stage at Eric Clapton’s 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival, sold for $28,575 over three times its original estimate of $8.000.
Hill’s 1970s Charvel Precision style Recording Bass, in transparent red finish with neck plate that reads “Custom Made / by / Charvel’s” was played during the El Loco Motion Tour in 1981 sold for $26,000 with an estimate of $8,000 – $12,000.
Hill’s 2008 Bolin Precision style reverse bass, played during ZZ Top’s 2009 appearance on VH1 Storytellers and other 2009 performances sold for $22,225, estimated between $6,000 and $8,000.
Other highlights included Hill’s 1984 MTV Moonman award statuette for “Legs” awarded at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards ceremony where ZZ Top was the first group to ever win Best Group Video selling for $25,400; Hill’s performance cowboy boots by Manuel, selling for $19,500 sold for nine times the original estimate of $2,000; Dusty Hill’s commissioned oil derrick gold nugget ring accented with four circular-cut diamonds sold for $9,100, estimated between $2,000 and $3,000; Hill’s custom Nudie’s sky-blue wool suit jacket worn on the cover of ZZ Top’s 1975 album Fandango! sold for $11,430; Hill’s black leather motorcycle jacket with custom painted skeleton motif, eagle head pins, and silver spike embellishments with “Streek Landslide” written on the back sold for $13,000; among other artifacts.
Leading up to the three-day auction, Julien’s feted Hill’s life and legacy in a two-week Texas Sized “Dusty Land” exhibition that showcased the rock icon’s one-of-a-kind instruments, custom-made western-style wardrobe worn on stage and in appearances, gear, signature style items such as his favorite cowboy hats, boots and buckles, memorabilia and more from his groundbreaking five-decade career with a “Duzzty’s Stash” pop up store featuring Hill’s merchandise and other collectibles at the auction venue 915 Slocum Street in Dallas’ design district.
A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit MusiCares and its mission to help the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community.
