Luxury design brand LUNO has teamed up with the Frank Zappa Estate on the creation of the SSKL Soundwave, FZ Limited Edition. This uniquely designed record console–only 10 of which will be available for purchase–is highlighted by a solid brass soundwave from Frank Zappa’s “Sofa No. 1” musical composition that is meticulously inlaid by hand and made flush with the walnut door.

The SSKL Soundwave, FZ Limited Edition also features a selection of vinyl recordings from Frank Zappa’s extensive recorded catalog, a minibar with Zappa whiskey glasses and space for four liquor bottles, storage for 150 records, a Groovewasher Kit, and a certificate of authenticity (signed, numbered, and dated). The console comes fully equipped with a Pro-Ject Esprit SB turntable, 2.1 speaker system, 100w subwoofer, 2 aux inputs and AirPlay so you can stream from any Apple device. The console design is the newest addition to LUNO’s luxury hifi console range. Featuring top of the line craftsmanship, the unit truly is a work of art.

Each SSKL Soundwave, FZ Limited Edition console is handcrafted and hand-wired in Los Angeles by experienced craftsmen and engineers. They are available by request only via LUNO’s website.

“We are big Zappa fans and when our paths crossed, we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate! We immediately went to the drawing board to present some ideas. After months of back and forth concepts, the idea of clipping a soundwave file from a song and applying it to the unit was born. We then spent another several months figuring out how to make that vision come to life. And while it looks effortless, complicated techniques were involved in making it happen. At LUNO, we pride ourselves on innovative designs and we’re extremely proud of the final result and are honored to have created this unit with the wonderful folks over at Zappa.” said Jennifer Farmer, co-Founder of LUNO.

“When I first came across LUNO’s record consoles, I immediately started drooling and knew I had to get my hands on one,” Ahmet Zappa says. “I telephonically stalked LUNO headquarters and was invited over for a visit to hear one of their consoles in all its glory. I was blown away.  Thus began the dream of collaborating. Our goal was simple, let’s make something unique for Zappa fans and all true audiophiles everywhere. Jennifer and Dan were up for the challenge and amazing to work with. We love the end results and I’m very proud of our Zappa LUNO Console. At Zappa Records, we take the manufacturing of our vinyl very seriously and it’s equally important to have an exceptional record player on which to play it. We conduct extensive testing for quality audio control during production and this console–capable of making sweet, sweet audio love to your ears–is being used for just this purpose. From the wood finish, to the original speaker fabric (authentic Marshall Salt & Pepper Grill Cloth, the same one used on vintage Marshall amps), to the brass inlaid soundwave file from Frank’s ‘Sofa #1,’ it’s just what The Grand Wazoo would want for you.”

The post Frank Zappa Estate / LUNO HiFi Record Console Collab (Limited Edition) appeared first on Luno.

In the wake of the record breaking sale of a copy of Prince’s Black Album on Discogs (a steal at $27,500) we look at five more vinyl releases the ownership of which requires the staunchest of fandom and the deepest of pockets

5. The Beatles – Honestly,  It would be very easy to fill this list only with Beatles offerings.   The only unedited version of Love Me Do on one sided acetate is valued between $50,000 and $100,000, the 10” acetate of “Till There Was You” sold for just under $100,000, a sealed mint copy of “Yesterday and Today” sold for $125,000, and Ringo Starr’s own copy of “The White Album” sold for $790,000.  Of course, for the budget minded shopper, maybe opt instead for a red and white label “Day Tripper” 45 for a measly $1,000

4. The Quarrymen – “That’ll Be The Day”/“In Spite of All the Danger” (78) Sadly only one copy of the acetate for the pre-Beatles Lennon/McCartney skiffle outfit exists and if you want it you have to buy it from it’s present owner, one Mr McCartney who’s valued it at $255,000.

3. The Velvet Underground and Nico – US Acetate in plain sleeve, 1966 with alternate versions of tracks) Now this one is interesting because it features versions of songs that didn’t make it to the final pressing so it has some value beyond it’s rarity.  The story goes that a collector found this acetate at a garage sale for 75c and later auctioned it on eBay for $25,000.  As beloved as this album is at LUNO HQ (it is one of our previously featured album’s of the month) we would probably opt to buy the Scepter Studios official release which was lovingly restored from the original acetate for a thousandth of the price and maybe save the change for a handful of red and white label “Day Tripper” 45’s

2. Jean-Michel Jarre – Musique pour Supermarché LP   Written as an accompaniment to his friend’s art exhibition Jarre decided that in the spirit of “art” he would press and sell only one copy of this album.  Auctioned for charity it sold for what would be the equivalent of around $30,000.  It’s still quite easy though to find a way to listen to it as Jarre outright encouraged it’s piracy.  Unlike our final offering, another one of a kind pressing…

1.  Wu-Tang Clan – Once Upon a Time in Shaolin  Without a doubt and by a mile the most expensive album ever pressed.  Eventually selling for $2 million dollars to the rather unpopular Martin Shkreli he did nothing to help his own popularity by refusing to share the album for free, something the sale did allow for (though he is forbidden from exploiting the music for profit until the year 2103)

It would seem unlikely then that the public will get to hear the album for 80+ years but for one very interesting term listed in the sale.

Apparently, the seller is allowed to mount a one time attempted heist to steal back the album and if they succeed the album rights revert to them.  The only people allowed to take part in this heist are current Wu-Tang Clan members and, of course, Bill Murray.

The post FIVE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE VINYL RECORDS OF ALL TIME l LUNO appeared first on Luno.

They’re calling it Blackened American Whiskey, named after the opening song on their 1988 album, …And Justice for All. It’s only available in select stores in the U.S. this week, in a few cities on their upcoming American fall tour, and can be bought online. What makes Blackened different from all the other whiskeys on the market, other than being associated with Metallica?

“We are obviously not just slapping a Metallica label on a pre-existing mediocre whiskey,” said the band in a statement on their website.

For several years, Metallica collaborated with Dave Pickerell, a Master Distiller with a deep understanding of how sound can shape flavor. Through a sonic-enhancement process known as ‘Black Noise’, Metallica played a curated playlist of some of their heart-pounding music at the distillery, through a proprietary subwoofer engineered by Meyer Sound. By blasting the whiskey with their distinctive music, the low frequency sound waves disrupt and shape the whiskey in the wooden barrels on a molecular level. Not only does this process make the whiskey taste better, it gives it a unique Metallica taste.

Although many people know how to drink whiskey, and may even call themselves whiskey connoisseurs, what’s the best way to drink Blackened?

Metallica’s Blackened American Whiskey. Photo by Lion & Lamb Communications.

Knowing how music and whiskey are two things that people love, we at LUNO collaborated with the Frank Zappa Estate to design and build a limited edition record console. Handcrafted at a factory in Los Angeles, the SSKL Soundwave, Frank Zappa Limited Edition is just under six feet long and made of American Walnut, with a hand waxed finish. It is equipped with a turntable, a subwoofer, a speaker system, two auxiliary inputs, and can be used to stream music using AirPlay.  On the doors of the record console is a solid brass sound wave, inlaid by hand and embedded into the walnut door. The sound wave comes from Frank Zappa, an artist that Rolling Stone listed as 22^nd greatest guitarists of all time in their top 100 ranking, just 11 spots back of Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, who they listed at number 11.

SSKL Soundwave, Frank Zappa Limited Edition by LUNO

Frank Zappa’s sound wave from his “Sofa No.1” musical composition, on embedded on the doors of the SSKL Soundwave, FZ Limited Edition by LUNO.

The Pro-Ject Esprit SB turntable of the SSKL Soundwave, Frank Zappa Limited Edition by LUNO.

Zappa’s unique sound wave of his “Sofa No.1” musical composition is not the only inspiration on this record console. There’s also a selection of vinyl recordings from his extensive recorded catalog, along with storage for 150 records. For the whiskey connoisseur, the record console also includes a minibar, with space for four liquor bottles, and some of Zappa’s personal whiskey glasses.

The best way to drink Blackened would be at the end of a long day of work, sitting on custom-built furniture, sipping out of a Zappa glass, and luxuriating in the moment while playing Metallica on the record console. Just sit there and indulge Blackened, forged by sound, as it comes alive within you, like a musical relaxant for your soul. While you feel the music in your stomach, listen to the authentic analog sounds pulsating from the SSKL Soundwave of two musical greats, as they immerse you in an unparalleled experience, within and without.

The SSKL Soundwave, Frank Zappa Limited Edition and this snug arm chair need an owner!

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Keep this in mind: LUNO created only 10 SSKL Soundwave, Frank Zappa Limited Edition record consoles. Buy yours while you still can, before people figure out the buzz you get while drinking whiskey and listening to that precious sound.

Keep this in mind 2: Visit blackenedwhiskey.com to see which restaurants and bars near you are serving Blackened.

The post Metallica Are Launching A Whiskey Called Blackened, And Here’s The Best Way To Drink It | LUNO appeared first on Luno.