Reggae star Alborosie has laughed off the staggering US$2.5 million price tag for the vintage Helios HJ-1 Dub Station 20-channel mixing console, which is currently up for sale on eBay. The console, steeped in reggae history and reportedly used to record over 227 songs including Bob Marley & The Wailers’ first four studio albums at Harry J Studio, has sparked heated debate online. Alborosie, who previously owned the soundboard, was quick to dismiss the hefty price point when contacted by World Music Views (WMV), calling it “fake news.”
The Italian-born reggae artist, who previously owned the console which he mentioned in a 2016 Reggaeville interview ,scoffed at the eBay listing. “C’mon, 2.5 million USD?” he quipped before bursting into laughter. Alborosie went on to call the price tag a “publicity stunt,” suggesting that the listing may be more about hype than genuine value.
The 50 year-old artifact was listed by Retro Gear Shop, a boutique music equipment store based in Nashville, Tennessee, known for selling high-end vintage gear who said they travelled to Jamaica for the equipment. According to their listing, the Helios HJ-1, built in 1973, was used to record Marley albums like Catch a Fire, Burnin’, Natty Dread, and Rastaman Vibration, as well as iconic tracks by reggae legends such as Burning Spear, Dennis Brown, and Augustus Pablo.
Helios consoles are known for their legendary sound quality but for comparison, modern high-end mixing consoles used in professional studios today are being sold for significantly less in price depending on their size, features, and brand. For instance:
A SSL Duality Fuse, a modern, top-tier 24-channel console, can cost around US$150,000 – $200,000.
While a Neve Genesys G96, another highly regarded 32-channel console, is priced at approximately US$130,000. Other Another popular modular digital console is the Avid S6 M40, used in many top studios, which can range from US$60,000 to over $100,000, depending on configuration.
The Marival Studios in France, where Travis Scott recored his Billboard No. 1 album Utopia (2023) uses a full restored SSL 4000 G+ along with special designs by Owner Brad Pitt and producer Damien Quintard.
In defense of the high price, Retro Gear Shop emphasized the rarity of Helios consoles, noting that only “a couple dozen” remain in the world. The listing also claims that artists including Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones recorded with Helios consoles.
Alborosie, who is currently in Cape Verde on his way to perform in Amsterdam, dismissed these claims as little more than a marketing tactic. “I am rich with an old mixing board,” he questioned jokingly.
