Kurt Cobain's smashed guitar up for auction with $30K starting bid
Fans of Nirvana and late frontman Kurt Cobain have the rare opportunity to own a piece of rock history, as one of his smashed guitars is being auctioned off.
The white Fender Stratocaster, which Cobain famously used and damaged during Nirvana's 1992 European tour, will be available for bidding starting at $30,000. The auction opens on Wednesday morning at 9 AM ET.
The guitar, a left-handed Stratocaster personally owned and played by Cobain, was heavily modified and repaired throughout the band's rise to fame following the release of their groundbreaking 1991 album Nevermind. It was obtained by a former crew member who worked with Nirvana between 1991 and 1993 and has been authenticated by renowned Nirvana guitar technician Big John Duncan, ensuring its legitimacy.
This Stratocaster is just one of many iconic instruments associated with Cobain, with another of his smashed guitars fetching over $500,000 at auction in 2023. Additionally, his 1969 Fender Mustang, featured in the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video, was sold for an astounding $4.5 million.
The timing of this auction coincides with the 31st anniversary of Cobain's tragic death on April 5, 1994, when he died from a gunshot wound to the head at the age of 27. Despite speculation about his death being a murder, a leaked autopsy report from last year suggested it was a suicide, citing a suicide note and a heroin kit found at the scene.
Cobain's passing left behind his wife, Courtney Love, and his daughter, Frances Bean. Now, a lucky fan has the chance to own an authentic piece of Cobain's musical legacy. The auction will take place on the GottaHaveRockAndRoll platform.
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