The Name’s Instruments, Duesenberg Instruments.
In October, Germany-based Duesenberg Instruments unveiled one of its latest projects, a commemorative James Bond-themed guitar, on the stage of the legendary Royal Albert Hall as part of the Sound of 007 In Concert.
In 1978, Dieter Gölsdorf started producing and selling guitars and parts and rapidly acquired the experience needed to execute his vision for the electric guitar. By 1986, he established Duesenberg Instruments and the NAMM Member's first iconic instrument, the Starplayer TV, debuted nine years later. The instrument was designed to have a voice of its own and to serve as a visually stunning and reliable companion for any musician. The creation of this guitar spawned a series of ten additional guitar lines from Duesenberg.
Since its inception, Duesenberg Instruments have maintained an aura of versatility and solid, roadworthy construction that has appealed to many iconic musicians, including Mike Campbell, Bob Dylan, John Mayer, Robbie McIntosh, Joe Walsh, and many more. Professionals and enthusiasts attest that Duesenberg’s instruments are "designed, crafted, and fitted" by its team of experts utilizing parts found only on a Duesenberg. The NAMM Member reports that this enables them to “constantly push hardware design forward and create handy solutions in every detail of the instrument.”
In October, the company continued its over 40 years of success when it announced the creation of a 60th-anniversary James Bond guitar. This special order build commemorated the big screen debut Dr. No (1962). First conceived by novelist Ian Fleming, the beloved spy has appeared in 27 films over the last 60 years. The custom-built guitar honors the bond legacy by incorporating many iconic features associated with the MI6 agent, including the recognizable “Gunbarrel” logo on the instrument's body that appears in the title sequence of many Bond films the 007 logo on the headstock.
Chris Distin, who was Duesenberg's lead for this project, said, “We, as a company, have been part of many exciting projects over the years but being part of the James Bond franchise by making a special 007 guitar for the Sounds of 007 In Concert was a highlight, even for us. The guitar, played by David Arnold and Hans Zimmer, was auctioned off to help two charities, Nordhoff Robbins and the BRIT School, who help young upcoming musicians and artists, and it raised £32,750 for these great causes.”
After the event, the Bond guitar was sent to the famed Christie’s auction house. Proceeds from this auction went to the UK's largest music therapy charity, Nordhoff Robbins, and the Brit Trust. The Brit Trust draws on “the transformative power of music and the arts to do good and to enable positive life pathways for young people of all backgrounds – recognizing that this can best be achieved by embracing accessibility, diversity, and inclusion as key values.” Prior to its arrival at Christie's, Arnold, Dame Shirley Bassey, who recorded theme songs for Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, and Moonraker; Barbara Broccoli who was involved with The Spy Who Loved Me, Octopussy, and The Living Daylights, and producer for the films led by Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig; Sounds of 007 In Concert performers, Celeste and Jamie Cullum, Conductor Nicholas Dodd, Ella Eyre, Paloma Faith, Garbage, John Grant, Emma Lindars, Lulu, and Skin; Michael G. Wilson, who was involved in production of The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, License to Kill, and cameos in every film produced by Eon Productions since 1977; and Zimmer signed the guitar.
For more information on Duesenberg Guitars, please visit https://www.duesenberg.de/en/.