Some Jason Newsted gear still on sale: Rare instruments with metal history

Jason Newsted, the former bassist for Metallica, is still selling electric guitars, basses, and unique instruments through his official Reverb page, with the sale having kicked off on July 24, 2024 [WARNING: Jason Newsted says one little swear word in the promotional video below — are you able to spot it?].

By this point, his most expensive items are primarily the ones that are still available, but a willing and capable buyer could still get something. This collection includes a variety of rare and distinctive bass guitars that have played pivotal roles in both Newsted's time with Metallica and his broader music career. Newsted said in a press release: "I’m teaming up with Reverb to sell some pieces from my collection for the very first time..."

Newsted, who has amassed this extensive collection over decades, is now eager to pass these instruments on to others who will appreciate and use them. Reflecting on his years of collecting, Newsted shared, "Over the last 30 or 40 years as I've traveled around playing music for people, I've gathered some cool s**t. [But] I can't play all of them. I'd like to get them in the hands of some people. They deserve to be enjoyed!"

His collection includes instruments that have been part of iconic music history, with some guitars being integral to the creation and performance of Metallica's most famous tracks. Among the most notable pieces in this sale is a 1992 Alembic Europa Custom 10-string bass, which was used during the Black Album tour. Newsted describes the instrument as a "beast," noting that its substantial weight requires significant strength just to handle it.

"I was never able to give it enough time. I was able to take it out on tour – the Black Album tour, that kind of thing – but I want to see what someone can do with it. It’s a really special piece of metal history," Newsted explained.

More instruments Newsted has sold (or is still selling)

Another standout item that was available was the five-string fretless Zon bass famously used to record the Metallica hit "Until It Sleeps."
It sold for $30,0000.

Newsted emphasized the bass's significance, stating, "This is a piece of metal lore right here. You have the song in your collection [and] that’s the bass that played it." In the past, Newsted noted the sweat that literally goes into his playing, noting his basses were tested in "a bathtub of salt water" and "a coil heater." Apparently, "he got tired of breaking so many thanks to excessive sweat."

As he noted: "For Load, I used a '58 P-Bass and a 1981 Spector NS 4-string. The Spectors were built really well, played well, and sounded excellent, but I had a lot of trouble with sweat getting inside. All of my instruments had to be salt-water proofed. We'd done an outside show on the last tour, and by the end of the gig, there was one functioning bass out of six – bad news. And when a bass going through 250,000 watts of PA all of a sudden shorts-out, people are not happy."

How to tell if it's a Newsted instrument

Notably, Newsted marks the headstocks of the instruments he's recorded with a small herb leaf, making it easier for collectors to identify pieces with recording history. Beyond these highlights, the sale has included a mint condition 1966 Gibson Barney Kessel, a 1968 Hofner six-string with built-in fuzz, and a 1970 Rickenbacker Fireglo 12-string that can be switched to a six-string.

Another intriguing piece is an Ampeg AUB-1 Scroll bass, which Newsted refers to as "a unique sounding beast" that has seen considerable use over the years. Additionally, there was a "pretty rare" PRS sunburst bass that was featured on Metallica’s …And Justice For All tour, an album notorious for its minimal bass presence — a fact recently discussed by the album's producer.

Newsted's love for progressive rock is also evident in the collection, with items like a custom 3-string Music Man bass inspired by Tony Levin’s design and a 1980 Rickenbacker 4080 double-neck, which features both a four-string bass and a six-string guitar. The double-neck was a purchase inspired by Newsted's admiration for Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, known for his use of such instruments.

This Reverb sale presents a unique opportunity for fans and musicians alike to own a piece of rock history, with all items listed at fixed prices—avoiding the bidding wars typical of such high-profile sales. Interested buyers are encouraged to act quickly, if not urgently, as these are occasionally still selling. As of this article being oublished, 28 of the items are still listed as available for purchase.

Again: For a preview of the instruments and more details, visit Jason Newsted's Reverb page linked above.