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
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Custom Line King-12 CE NT
Acoustic Guitars "For a guitar that comes in at this price, the overall build is impressive, with a level of attention to detail that’s more than respectable": Harley Benton Custom Line King-12 CE NT review
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist Series in cutaway and non-cutaway versions, and in Rosewood Burst or Antique Natural finishes.
Guitars A future player favourite? Gibson unveils the Songwriter Recording Artist acoustics
IK Multimedia Tonex One Double Special: the limited edition mini pedal comes preloaed with 20 modelled sounds from two of IK's own super-rare Dumbles.
Guitars IK Multimedia just put $300,000 of Dumble mojo into a Tonex One mini pedal
Mark Morton with his signature Les Paul Modern
Artists How Mark Morton and Gibson reinvented the Les Paul for modern metal – and why passive beats active humbuckers hands down
Fender 30th Anniversary Hot Rod Deluxe: the special edition tube combo comes finished with a commemorative "Western" vinyl covering, with gold and brown grille cloth.
Guitars Fender celebrates three decades of the Hot Rod Deluxe with a stunning anniversary edition
The Fender John Osborne Telecaster comes factory modded with a B-Bender and has an extended black pickguard on a Road Worn Olympic White body.
Artists Country star John Osborne’s signature Tele comes factory modded with a distressed nitro finish, custom pickups – and it’s even got a B-bender too
Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Acoustics 2026: the new all-solid core range takes its design cues from classic high-end Gibson USA builds.
Guitars Epiphone raises the bar for its acoustic guitar range with all-solid builds, rosewood fingerboards and affordable takes on Gibson classics
Mark Tremonti throws the horns and points to something during a live performance with Creed. His signature PRS singlecut is strapped on his shoulder.
Artists “I had no idea that he was that good”: Mark Tremonti on Alter Bridge’s “secret weapon” and his soloing strategies
Gretsch Synchromatic Flacon close up of pickguard
Electric Guitars Best Gretsch guitars 2026: Nail that Gretsch sound at any price point
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $200 off a whacky Gibson guitar, $150 off UAD plugins, and $200 off a must-have Moog synth
Harley Benton ST-Modern Carlos Asensio
Electric Guitars “An absolute steal when it comes to quality and value for money”: Harley Benton ST-Modern Carlos Asensio CGM review
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
Tech The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $390 off a divisive Fender Stratocaster, $180 off a stunning Gretsch and hundreds off PA and live gear
Gibson Original Collection (L-R) featuring the SJ-200 60s, J-160E, and the LG-2 50s.
Guitars The Beatles-approved J-160E makes its return as Gibson unveils a trio of Original Collection flat-tops celebrating the golden era of acoustic guitar making
Close up of Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $500/£500 2026: Affordable electrics
More
  • Sly and Survivor
  • In My Life
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • One chord Diamond
  1. Music Industry
  2. Music & Tech Events

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

News
By Guitarist, MusicRadar, Total Guitar ( Total Guitar, Guitarist ) 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
Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Social Links Navigation

Total Guitar is Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.

Every month we feature interviews with the biggest names and hottest new acts in guitar land, plus Guest Lessons from the stars.

Finally, our Rocked & Rated section is the place to go for reviews, round-ups and help setting up your guitars and gear.

Subscribe: http://bit.ly/totalguitar

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
Gibson Mark Ronson Les Paul Custom
Guitars Gibson unveils Murphy Lab replica of Mick Ronson’s Bowie-era 1968 Les Paul Custom
 
 
Faith Guitars Nexus Neptune and Venus 2026
Acoustic Guitars “For those seeking acoustic power, projection and an enormous amount of volume": Faith unleashes a slew of updates and new models at NAMM
 
 
Ed Sheeran with his new PRS SE Ed Sheeran Cosmic Splash Hollowbody Baritone Piezo, a limited edition signature guitar featuring his own original artwork.
Artists PRS and Ed Sheeran team up for SE Hollowbody Piezo Baritone featuring pop superstar’s own artwork
 
 
Gary Clark Jr plays his signature Cobra Burst ES-355 live onstage.
Artists Gary Clark Jr channels the King of the Blues for limited edition Gibson Custom Shop collab
 
 
Chris Buck RS02CB Revstar Signature Electric Guitar in Honey Gold
Guitars “The truest conduit between the acoustic resonance of the guitar and its electric voice” says Chris Buck of the custom P90-style pickups in his new signature Yamaha Revstar
 
 
A black and white photo of Chris Isaak playing his Silvertone 1446 in 1987. On the right, a cutout of the recently reissued guitar in black and sunburst finishes, with the black version offered with a Bigsby B70 vibrato.
Guitars Silvertone resurrects the cult semi-hollow electric guitar loved by Elvis Costello, Hubert Sumlin and Chris Isaak
 
 
Latest in Music & Tech Events
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
 
 
Some small children with guitars
Music & Tech Events “An incredible experience that went beyond just teaching music”: The UK’s biggest free music making weekend is extended to four days
 
 
Latest in News
(L-R) Kerry Katona, Natasha Hamilton and Liz McClarnon of English girl group Atomic Kitten, 2000. (Photo by Roberta Parkin/Redferns/Getty Images)
Artists OMD’s Andy McCluskey says it was a Kraftwerk legend who advised him to form girlband Atomic Kitten
 
 
Melissa Auf der Maur and Courtney Love in 1998
Bass Guitars “It took me one second to understand that she's a survivor”: Melissa Auf der Maur on why she’s “proud” of Courtney Love
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Bruno Mars performs onstage during the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Artists Why Bruno Mars' new single Risk It All could have ended up sounding very different
 
 
James Blake performs during the inaugural 2024 Gazebo Festival at Waterfront Park on May 25, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Producers & Engineers "I’d say 95 percent of the work I’ve done was unpaid”: James Blake on the hit and miss nature of production work
 
 
Diane Warren and KPop Demon Hunters
Artists Songwriter Diane Warren’s Oscars losing streak goes on as KPop Demon Hunters’ Golden wins
 
 
AUSTIN, TX - DECEMBER 09:  Displayed in public for the first time is John Lennon's piano, used to write numerous Beatles songs and part of Indianapolis Colts CEO and Owner Jim Irsay's "Jim Irsay Collection" during a reception at the Four Seasons Hotel on December 9, 2021 in Austin, Texas.  (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
Keyboards & Pianos "Lot after lot, we felt like we were making history”: John Lennon’s Broadway piano goes for £2.5 million
 
 

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...