Kurt Cobain’s smashed Fender Stratocaster is displayed at Julien’s Auctions in Gardena, Calif., on Could 2 forward of Julien’s “Music Icons” public sale of over 1,200 gadgets from rockhistory and unique artist collections.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP through Getty Photos
disguise caption
toggle caption
Frederic J. Brown/AFP through Getty Photos
Kurt Cobain’s smashed Fender Stratocaster is displayed at Julien’s Auctions in Gardena, Calif., on Could 2 forward of Julien’s “Music Icons” public sale of over 1,200 gadgets from rockhistory and unique artist collections.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP through Getty Photos
Kurt Cobain’s black Fender Stratocaster is roofed in scratches and chipped wooden. The names of Cobain and his former band, Nirvana, are misspelled. And the guitar itself, which was as soon as smashed and put again collectively, is now not playable.
However on Saturday, the damaged guitar was bought at Julien’s Auctions for a whopping $596,000 — practically 10 instances greater than the opening worth — exhibiting that the adoration for the rock icon is alive and nicely practically 30 after he died.
“Gadgets from Kurt Cobain or Nirvana have gotten harder to acquire and they’re one of many highest when it comes to collectability of all rock bands,” Darren Julien, the CEO of Julien’s Auctions, advised NPR.
Cobain was identified to have destroyed a number of Fender Stratocasters throughout his profession. This explicit instrument was wrecked whereas Cobain and his band labored on their landmark album, Nevermind, within the early Nineteen Nineties.
The guitar was ultimately repaired and gifted to his good friend and musical collaborator, Mark Lanegan of the Screaming Timber.
“Hell-o Mark! Love, Your Pal, Kurdt Kobain / Washed up rockstar,” Cobain wrote in silver marker on the physique of the guitar. Nirvana members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl additionally signed their names.
“This artifact is especially particular,” Julien stated.
Different iconic references on the Fender Stratocaster is the inscription “Boddah Lives,” scratched into the neck plate, which refers to Cobain’s childhood imaginary good friend. The guitar’s case additionally consists of the phrase “Abort Christ” written in massive white letters.
