Gibson Custom Shop Explorer Bass – “The Bug” – Dusty Hill Collection

The rockers of ZZ Top have entered legend through their beards, but above all through their rhythm, their feel, their melody, and their blues rock. They have become absolute references in their genre today and stand among the great myths of contemporary music. In the trio formed by Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, and Dusty Hill, their style is matched only by their hits that have spanned generations. Discovering stage instruments played by one of the members of ZZ Top is always an emotional opportunity to get closer to their extraordinary sense of style, which remains unmatched in rock’n’roll to this day. The basses from Dusty Hill’s collection carry a touch of madness unique to him, and some correspond to their counterparts in Billy Gibbons’ collection.

This exceptional bass was made by the Gibson Custom Shop in the mid-1980s for ZZ Top’s bassist. Nicknamed the “Bug,” this Explorer bass was heavily played by Dusty Hill — as evidenced by the many wear marks on the body of the instrument. It features a “Flying V” style headstock on which a metal “bug” is fixed, a reminder of its charming nickname. Lightweight, this bass is precise and powerful. Played many times on stage with ZZ Top in the late 1980s, this instrument is a true piece of music history, as well as an exceptional example of luthiery craftsmanship.