ZZ Top Have Gone Viral Thanks to an Absurd 17-String Bass Guitar

ZZ Top is known for its penchant for beards, but now they're venturing into Rick Nielsen's wacky guitar territory with a 17-string bass.

Elwood Francis's massive bass, which must be an absolute pain to string and hold even with a strap, was captured in a fan-shot video at the group's November 5 show in Huntsville, Ala.

So, what's up with that bass? Apparently, it was intended as a funny "hold my beer" moment for the band. Francis told Ultimate Classic Rock, "I was doing night internet searching [and] turned up a picture of this crazy 17 string bass. I sent a picture to Billy [Gibbons] and we laughed about it and made some jokes about actually trying to use it...A few weeks later, after I had forgotten about it, Billy shows up with [the 17 string bass]."

Well, if Billy Gibbons shows up with a crazy instrument for you to play, you're gonna play the damn thing! Here's hoping Francis has ample Advil on hand for any potential neck aches in the near future.

ZZ Top is an American institution and a very rare one. Up until the passing of bassist Dusty Hill in 2021, the band has had no lineup changes since Billy F. Gibbons, Hill and Frank Beard got together in 1969.

Considering this, many wondered whether ZZ Top would continue. The band quickly put any of that buzz to rest the day after Hill's death. In a statement from Gibbons, he said, "As Dusty said upon his departure, 'Let the show go on!' And ... with respect, we'll do well to get beyond this and honor his wishes...Dusty emphatically grabbed my arm and said, 'Give Elwood the bottom end and take it to the Top.' He meant it, amigo. He really did." (The Elwood mentioned in the statement is Elwood Francis, ZZ Top's veteran guitar tech.)

They released their debut, ZZ Top's First Album, in 1971. Their most recent (and likely final) studio album, La Futura, produced by Rick Rubin, was released in 2012. It was their strongest effort -- by far -- since 1983's Eliminator.

Of course, Eliminator helped introduce ZZ Top to a slew of new fans thanks to the album's three massive hits: "Gimme All Your Lovin'," "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs." Each of these songs had music videos that were in heavy rotation on MTV, which launched about 18 months prior to the release of Eliminator. 

As expected, a number of songs from Eliminator are featured. However, plenty of songs from La Futura pop up often in our list of the band's best songs, too. A true rarity, ZZ Top is a band with something to say when they were well over four decades into their career. And if it turns out to be their last, that's even more rare: a legendary band who went out with a classic album.