18 bass guitars from Adam Clayton's personal collection are currently on view at The Museum of Style Icons (MOSI) in Newbridge, Co Kildare before heading to auction in the U.S.
Julien's Auctions is showcasing the "iconic" instruments in a first-ever exhibition in Ireland titled “Played, Worn, & Torn Featuring The Adam Clayton Collection.” The exhibition is open to the public until November 9th.
The 22-time Grammy Award-winning artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's illustrious basses have been stage-played through the different eras and continents of U2's record-breaking globe-spanning tours.
Following the exclusive three-week exhibition run in Ireland, the entire collection will cross the Atlantic to be auctioned In Nashville, Tennessee, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit MusiCares.
Julien's highly-anticipated "PLAYED, WORN, & TORN" auction will take place over two days - Thursday, November 20th and Friday, November 21st 2025 - at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum in the historic Municipal Auditorium and online. The auction promises to be one of the most significant music memorabilia events of the year.
Over 20 items from Clayton's personal collection, including music instruments, gear, memorabilia and more, will be offered for the first time at auction, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting MusiCares, the leading music charity supporting the health and well-being of the music community.
The Highlights
The exhibition showcases a staggering array of instruments, painting a picture of Clayton's eclectic taste and his pivotal role in U2’s evolution.
A standout lot includes Clayton’s 2014 Sherwood Green Fender Adam Clayton Signature Jazz Bass, a veteran of the 2015 Innocence + Experience tour, played in major cities across the world from Dublin to Los Angeles ($40,000-$60,000 estimate).
Also featured is his 2004 Lakland Joe Osborn J sunburst bass, famously played during the Vertigo Tour, providing the unmistakable low-end for the classic hit “One” ($20,000-$40,000 estimate).
For the truly in-the-know collector, the collection includes a fascinating 2010 Gold Sparkle Fender Adam Clayton Precision Bass with a coveted "mistake"—a Jazz Bass decaled headstock—a testament to the customized, sometimes quirky, nature of a professional musician's gear ($40,000-$60,000 estimate).
The collection is rounded out with a stellar assortment of vintage Fender Jazz Basses—including 1960s and 1970s models in classic finishes like Ice Blue Metallic and Lake Placid Blue—as well as his Warwick Gold Reverso basses from the U2 360 Tour.
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The exclusive Irish exhibition at MOSI in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, is running now until November 9th. It’s an essential pilgrimage for any U2 fan or gear head to see these artifacts up close before they cross the Atlantic.
For more information, click here.
For more information on Julien's "PLAYED, WORN, & TORN" auction on November 20th and 21, click here.
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