SSL Auction Yields $165k Victory for Dr. Dre Bidder
In a recent auction hosted by online platform The Realest, a significant piece of music history was sold - the Solid State Logic (SSL) 4000 G+ console channel bucket used by Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and many other notable hip-hop artists. The console, which was instrumental in shaping the sound of hip-hop music during its era, fetched a price of $165,000.
The SSL console was installed in Room B of Record One Studios in the 1990s and remained there until the mid-2000s. Since its removal, it has not been used. The power supply and rack cabinet were included in the auction lot, but the console's center/control section was not sold or mentioned in the auction.
Prior to the auction, the channel bucket was most recently owned by Dr. Dre collaborator Che Pope, former GM of Aftermath Entertainment. Notably, other landmark albums of the era, such as Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993), were also made using Dr. Dre's SSL 4000 G+ console.
Highpoints from Dr. Dre's own discography, such as The Chronic (1992) and 2001 (1999), were shaped by the SSL 4000 G+ console. The console was a significant tool in shaping the sound of hip-hop music during its era.
The winning bidder for the SSL console was venture capitalist Ryan Zurrer. In a statement, Zurrer expressed his gratitude for acquiring the "signature instrument" that Dre took the time to perfect the beat.
Behind-the-scenes production gear, such as the SSL console, has become increasingly sought-after in recent years. In fact, music memorabilia like RIAA awards, wardrobe, and instruments have been popular with auction houses for a long time.
Currently, the channel bucket is on exhibit at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. It will also be exhibited at The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx, New York, set to open in Fall 2026.
This sale is part of a broader trend of vintage and iconic music production gear coming up for auction. Notable production gear auctioned recently includes items from Butch Vig, such as pieces from the Butch Vig & Billy Bush ArtistFirst Collection, which feature personal production gear and memorabilia put up for auction. Although specific pieces from Paul Oakenfold and David Lynch are not detailed in the search results, Vig’s collection is highlighted as a significant recent auction event.
Another notable music-related auction item is the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase pedal used by Jerry Garcia in the early 1970s, which was sold by Sotheby’s in 2021. This rare and unique effects pedal is considered one of the rarest and most unique effects pedals from that era.
[1] https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-butch-vig-billy-bush-artistfirst-collection-is-auctioned-off-for-charity [2] https://www.sothebys.com/en/news-video/press-releases/2021/june/the-legendary-mu-tron-bi-phase-pedal-used-by-jerry-garcia-to-create-the-iconic-sound-of-the-grateful-dead-sells-for-usd-343000-at-sothebys-rock-n-roll-sale [4] https://www.musicradar.com/news/butch-vig-billy-bush-artistfirst-collection-auction-raises-over-usd-1-million-for-charity
- The SSL 4000 G+ console, used by Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and other hip-hop artists, was acquired by venture capitalist Ryan Zurrer for $165,000, a testament to its significant role in shaping the sound of entertainment during the 1990s.
- The SSL console, which was instrumental in the production of albums like Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993) and Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) and 2001 (1999), is now on exhibit at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, and will also be showcased at The Hip Hop Museum in New York.
- Vintage and iconic music production gear, such as the Butch Vig & Billy Bush ArtistFirst Collection, which includes personal production gear and memorabilia, have been popular in recent auction events, reflecting the rising interest in behind-the-scenes production equipment in the entertainment industry.
