RØDE's Peter Freedman Shares Kurt Cobain's Iconic Martin Guitar With Royal College Of Music

Forbes

18 hours ago

Kurt Cobain's 1959 Martin D-18E guitar was played during Nirvana's legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged ... More performance.
The founder and chairman of Australia's biggest audio technology is sharing the iconic acoustic guitar that was played by Kurt Cobain during Nirvana's legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged performance with the world.RØDE's Peter Freedman AM owns Cobain's guitar and now he is loaning the instrument to the Royal College of Music's Museum, London.
Cobain's 1959 Martin D-18E is currently on display at the museum and will be there until November as part of a Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition. This is the first time the guitar has been made publicly accessible in Europe and offers fans, musicians and historians a rare opportunity to experience one of modern music history's most celebrated artefacts up close.
The guitar was purchased at auction in 2020 for a record-breaking $6.01 million, making it the most expensive guitar ever sold. At the time, Mr. Freedman made it clear that this was not an act of private collecting, but a public pledge to use the guitar as a symbol of support and solidarity for those working in creative industries.
Peter Freedman (left) seen earlier during the announcement of RØDE's acquisition of Mackie.
'This guitar represents more than just a moment in time, it's a reminder of the powerful connection between artists and their audiences,' says Mr. Freedman. 'When I bought it, I promised it wouldn't just hang on a wall. I wanted it to be seen, to inspire and to give back to the creative community that helped shape my life. Its inclusion in this exhibition honors that promise.'
urt Cobain's original Dunlop 60mm guitar plectrums, used during the MTV Unplugged performance.
Since its purchase, the guitar has been displayed at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, raising awareness of the challenges faced by creative professionals, particularly in the wake of global disruptions to the arts sector. Its presence at the Royal College of Music Museum, a globally respected institution for musical education and preservation, marks a fitting chapter in its journey.
Also on display is one of Kurt Cobain's original Dunlop 60mm guitar plectrums, used during the MTV Unplugged performance and found inside the case of the Martin D-18E guitar when it was sold at auction. In a world first, fans will get the chance to win this rare piece of rock history by entering a prize draw online, with all proceeds going directly to supporting students and the Future Music Fund at the Royal College of Music.
Kurt Cobain Unplugged will feature the guitar as its centerpiece, alongside the prized plectrum and ... More Cobain's famous olive-green mohair cardigan.
Kurt Cobain Unplugged will feature the guitar as its centerpiece, alongside the prized plectrum and Cobain's famous olive-green mohair cardigan worn during the MTV Unplugged performance, marking the first time these three legendary items have been displayed together.
Accompanied by archival footage, contextual materials and a rare look into the legacy of Cobain's artistry, visitors to the exhibition can expect a visceral and nostalgia-drenched experience surrounded by cultural artefacts that not only defined a musical genre, but an entire generation.
You can visit the exhibition which is being held from June 3 to November 18, 2025, at The Royal College of Music Museum, Prince Consort Road, London. Learn more about the Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition and find out how to enter the competition to win Cobain's plectrum here.