As well as a 'Nirwhana' pedal, and a range of signed and framed memorabilia!
Kurt Cobain’s smashed 1973 Fender Mustang and one of his inscribed Boss DS-1 pedals have sold at auction among a plethora of other Nirvana items.
What you need to know:
- Kurt Cobain’s smashed 1973 Fender Mustang has sold at auction for $486,400.
- The guitar was among a raft of items including an inscribed Boss DS-1 pedal.
- a framed print featuring the cover art design from Nirvana’s iconic album Nevermind sold for $19,200.
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This Fender Mustang was stage-played by Kurt Cobain during two U.S. performances in 1989, the first was at Club Dreamerz in Chicago, Illinois on July 8, and the second was at the Sonic Temple in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania on July 9 – where Cobain smashed the guitar to pieces across the stage during the finale performance of ‘Blew’.
A few days later, Sluggo Cawley of the band Hullabaloo became acquainted with Cobain who noticed a smashed Gibson SG hanging on Sluggo’s wall. Kurt offered to trade it for the Fender Mustang he had smashed on July 9th because he thought he could repair the Gibson SG well enough to smash it again later on.
Along the lower portion of the body, Cobain inscribed in black marker, “Yo Sluggo / Thanx for the trade/ If its illegal to Rock and Roll, then throw my ass in jail/ Nirvana”. Kurt additionally drew two flowers along the upper right portion of the pickguard.
A circa 1980’s Boss DS-1 Distortion guitar effects pedal also inscribed by Cobain sold for $75,000, and a Zildjian 18-inch K brand Dark Crash cymbal used by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl sold for $51,200.
Additionally, a framed print featuring the cover art design from Nirvana’s iconic album Nevermind sold for $19,200.
Head to Julien’s Auctions for more information.
