The Butterscotch P-Bass That Sold for A Fortune and Catalinbread's Newest Reverb Unit - The Sinkhole
Sinusoidal Weekly Highlights
Welcome to Sinusoidal Music’s weekly newsletter. Here we shall present you with the latest insights into the music business, production tips for musicians, the hottest new releases, and everything in between!
Music Buzz > What are the paparazzi after?
Dusty Hill's Iconic Fender Precision Bass Sells for Nearly $400,000 at Auction
In a recent Julien's Auctions event, the iconic 1953 butterscotch Fender Precision bass, once belonging to ZZ Top's late Dusty Hill, was sold for an impressive $393,700. This makes it the second most expensive bass ever auctioned, trailing only behind Paul McCartney's Yamaha BB-1200.
Hill's widow, Charleen McCrory Hill, expressed satisfaction, noting that Dusty would be pleased with the bass being "between a Beatle and a Rolling Stone."
The instrument, featured on ZZ Top's 1975 album cover for "Fandango!," holds historical significance and was part of Hill's personal collection. Described as in "all original 7/10 condition," the bass, with serial number 970, was accompanied by a well-worn period tweed case adorned with an assortment of stickers.
Dusty Hill's story of acquiring the bass from a Dallas pawn shop for a mere $70 was recounted in a 2012 Fender interview. He reflected on the instrument's role in ZZ Top's early years, stating, "she did her work," leading to its eventual retirement.
Titled 'The Collection Of Dusty Hill Of ZZ Top,' the auction also featured Hill's attire and rare memorabilia. The event paid homage to the rock legend, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 72, ensuring that Dusty Hill's impact on the music world endures through his cherished Fender Precision bass.
Sinusoidal Spotlight > Our pick of the latest indie releases
‘I Wish I Could Fly’ by La Need Machine
“La Need Machine’s ‘I Wish I Could Fly’ soars above the typical boundaries of genre with a new found freedom. Blending the spirited energy of Indie Rock with the soulful rhythms of Americana and the edgy punch of Punk-and-Roll. This Seattle-based band has crafted this musical piece that’s not just a melody, but more of a narrative. An exploration of the effects of environmental changes on wildlife – specifically the Brown Bear. It is a theme that deeply resonates with today’s climate-conscious world – making this track timely as well as timeless.
Musician’s Toolkit > Secret production tips for pros
Catalinbread opens up the Sinkhole, “a harmonically-rich ‘hole’ reverb for other-worldly guitar sounds”
Catalinbread has just dropped another reverb pedal for those who enjoy the more exotic flavours of electric guitar ambience. It’s called the Sinkhole, and it is a modulated reverb that applies a four-voice chorus to proceedings.
The enclosure design is what we would expect from Catalinbread. There is a Volume dial that controls the gain of the onboard preamp.
That onboard preamp is a little bonus, allowing you to run the Sinkhole as a clean boost or to add a little front-end gain to help things along with your guitar amp.
The Sinkhole can be run at 9V or 18V from a pedalboard power supply. You’ll get more headroom on the preamp at 18. It’s available now, priced £169 / $199.
Described as the Portland, Oregon effects company's “most ethereal” reverb to date, the Sinkhole looks a fun place to visit for adventurous players. Go down the Sinkhole and you'll find comb filtering, phaser-like textures, and arguably most exciting of all, “haunting auto-filtering”.
Playlist of the week > Sinusoidal’s assortment of trending playlists for every mood
Suspended in Animation // Ethereal Ambient Music
Welcome to our ambient/instrumental playlist, where you can unwind and relax to a collection of soothing, atmospheric tracks. Immerse yourself in the calming sounds of these instrumental pieces and let your mind wander. Whether you're studying, meditating, or simply looking for some background music to ease your mind, our playlist has got you covered. From minimalistic piano compositions to dreamy electronic soundscapes, our selection of tracks will transport you to a peaceful and introspective state of mind. So sit back, press play, and let the music take you on a journey. Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated with our latest additions to the playlist!