Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Plugin Week 2026
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • World in Motion
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The genius of Clive Davis
  1. Music Industry
  2. Music & Tech Events

NAMM 2016: Duesenberg Alliance Series Soundgarden Black Hole Sun in detail

News
By Guitarist, Total Guitar, MusicRadar published 23 January 2016

Close-up shots of covetable special issue

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The devil's in the detail

The devil's in the detail

NAMM 2016: Duesenberg has unveiled four new models at NAMM 2016, but we couldn't resist sneaking back to the German firm's stand for a closer look at one in particular - the extremely covetable Alliance Series Soundgarden Black Hole Sun.

Flick through our pics for a close-up look at the guitar, which will go on sale at an eye-watering but frankly still tempting RRP of $5,420.

PRESS RELEASE: We are honored to announce the new Duesenberg Alliance Series Guitar with Grammy Award-Winning band Soundgarden: Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Ben Sheperd and Matt Cameron.

From their early beginnings in the 1980s performing around Seattle Washington, Soundgarden was one of the instrumental bands in the creation of grunge and alternative rock. Crossing generational lines, for millions of fans worldwide, Soundgarden created a voice for the youth around the world.

We have incorporated the history of Soundgarden throughout this line, encompassing the symbols of their legendary past by celebrating their mark in music.

The graceful style of the Duesenberg Starplayer TV was the canvas in developing the Alliance Series Soundgarden Black Hole Sun. We chose Mother Of Pearl finish for this historic instrument as our vision of the Black Hole Sun with symbols from the Badmotorfinger production up to the Been Away Too Long record.

The guitar features a custom Duesenberg Diamond Deluxe Tremola with built in spark plug, as well as a spark plug inlay on the 12th fret, a custom decal between the pickups and unique volume and tone knobs. Additionally, there is also a 4-string bass version of the instrument.

The Alliance Series Soundgarden Black Hole Sun Series will be available as a limited run. First orders are expected to be shipped in Spring 2016.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Symbolic

Symbolic

The symbol between the pickups represents Soundgarden's latest album, King Animal.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Logos

Logos

Badmotorfinger logos adorn the volume and tone knobs.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Trem-endous

Trem-endous

The guitar carries Duesenberg's Diamond Deluxe Tremola vibrato system, which also bears a nod to Badmotorfinger in the form of an integrated spark plug.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Headstock

Headstock

That Mother Of Pearl finish adorns the headstock, too.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Badmotorfinger recurs

Badmotorfinger recurs

Badmotorfinger crops up again on the guitar's 12th-fret inlay.

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
MusicRadar
MusicRadar
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number one website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers...

  • GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
  • TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
  • STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the craft of music-making that no other music website can.
Read more
Epiphone Futura Series
Guitars Epiphone’s Futura Series reimagines Gibson classics with Chromashift finishes, ProBucker Ignite 'buckers and stainless steel frets
 
 
Jackson Custom Shop Misha Mansoor Surfcaster
Guitars Misha Mansoor's Jackson Custom Shop USA Signature Baritone Surfcaster 6-string is finally revealed
 
 
EVH Gear Wolfgang Special Baked Maple: the high-performance electrics are refreshed with baked maple necks, TOM bridges and Floyd Rose vibratos
Guitars Eddie Van Halen-approved baked maple necks? Check. Flagship pickups? Check. EVH Gear unveils stunning refresh of the Wolfgang Special
 
 
Charvel's Neo-Classic Series offers the San Dimas Style 1 with and without a Floyd Rose, with finishes including Robin's Egg Blue, Ivory Blitz, Gloss Black, Velvet Midnight and Racing Red
Guitars Dweezil Zappa shredding in a skate park? That must be Charvel’s all-new American Neo-Classic Series
 
 
Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue
Artists Epiphone and Alex Lifeson team up for a replica of the Rush guitarist’s iconic 1976 ES-355
 
 
Seymour Duncan Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Duncan Custom
Guitars Seymour Duncan releases hand-wound replica of an OG humbucker from the dawn of the high-gain era
 
 
Latest in Music & Tech Events
Thomann beatmaking contest banner
Music & Tech Events “We want to hear your unique style and vision”: Thomann launch their beat making competition for 2026
 
 
Massive Attack live
Artists How Massive Attack set a new benchmark for the future of sustainable live music events
 
 
NAMM CEO
Music Industry NAMM 2026: We speak to NAMM'S President and CEO John Mlynczak to learn what we can expect this year
 
 
Musician's Friend Black Friday sale
Music & Tech Events Musician's Friend just kicked off its official Black Friday sale, and it's a big brand bonanza, with up to 60% off PRS, Fender, Casio, Shure, and more
 
 
Kraftwerk, German electronic band, during a concert, September 16, 1978. (Photo by Christian Rose/Roger Viollet via Getty Images)
Tech I went to the Kraftwerk auction to buy their chairs, but came back with a studio's worth of gear instead
 
 
Outkast, Soundgarden and The White Stripes
Artists Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 inductees revealed: The White Stripes, Outkast and Soundgarden are in
 
 
Latest in News
GLAS-2
Gigs & Festivals There's no Glastonbury this year, but this movie is here to show you what it looked and sounded like in 1993
 
 
Sombr and Taylor Swift at the 55th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 11, 2026 in New York, New York.
Artists Sombr reflects on being asked to perform in honour of Taylor Swift after she called him "the future"
 
 
Tupac Shakur performing at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois in March 1994
Samples Want to recreate the classic sound of golden age '90s hip-hop? Download this pack of 537 free samples from SampleRadar
 
 
Kramer 50th Anniversary Collection
Guitars Kramer marks 50 years of shred with a gold metallic makeover for its high-performance lineup
 
 
Arturia Rev Ocean
Tech Arturia’s new Ocean-inspired reverb will turn your sounds “into a living sonic current”
 
 
Joe Bonamassa
Artists “It just sounds like me”: Why Joe Bonamassa’s tribute to Rory Gallagher didn’t turn out as expected
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...