Dusty Hill’s Fur Bass – Crafted by John Bolin

ZZ Top defined their image as strongly as their sound. Beyond the long beards and hypnotic riffs, they also created true luthiery masterpieces — eccentric and flamboyant. Discover here the legendary fur bass of the late Dusty Hill!

When ZZ Top took the stage, fans always expected three things: the hits that shaped generations, the unmistakable beards, and the eccentric matching instruments of Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons. Among those, the fur-covered pair remains one of their most iconic creations.

This fur bass is part of that visual legend. It comes directly from Dusty Hill’s personal collection. Built by the band’s trusted luthier John Bolin, it follows the rectangular Gretsch Bo Diddley style, enhanced with a coat of immaculate sheep fur and fitted with Gretsch TV Jones pickups. Only two of these unique instruments were ever made. Heavily played on stages around the world, it proudly bears signs of wear — on both the neck and the fur!

This extremely rare bass tells a fascinating chapter in the history of rock and ZZ Top — a band that still embodies pure rock energy and an unmistakable sense of style.

Read our full story on the blog: The Instruments That Shaped Rock: Dusty Hill’s Fur Bass (ZZ Top)