Kurt Cobain Fender Mustang sells for over $1.5 million
This Kurt Cobain Fender Mustang which was used during Nirvana’s In Utero tour has just sold for over $1.5 million - UPDATE Kurt Cobain Fender Mustang sells for over $1.5 million
The Kurt Cobain Fender Mustang which is known as The Sky Stang is up for auction. It was played at Nirvana’s final show in Munich, Germany, and is expected to fetch between $1 and $2 million
UPDATE 21/11/23
The Kurt Cobain Fender Mustang Skystang 1 sold for $1,587,500 at Julien's Auctions in Nashville over the weekend (18 November).
UPDATE 22/10/23
See Kurt Cobain's Fender Sky Stang 1 documented in the video below by NirvanaGuitars
Kurt Cobain Fender Mustang
This Kurt Cobain Fender Mustang is a Japanese-made left-handed model and quite a famous one.
In Utero Tour
This is one of only 10 left-handed Mustang models that Cobain supposedly bought ahead of the Nirvana tour. Bids start at $250,000 at auction and it is expected to sell for between $1,000,000-$2,000,000.
The Sky Stang I
It is known as The Sky Stang I, and Cobain reportedly used the guitar extensively throughout his final tour dates with Nirvana, following the release of their In Uteroalbum. It has an Electric Blue finish, a distinctive and unique yellow ‘V’ shape on the tortoiseshell pickguard, and a white humbucker in the bridge position.
There is also a sizeable crack on the rear of the instrument, running from the neck heel to about halfway down the guitar's body.
Provenance
Cobain can be seen playing the Sky Stang I at the Munich show for a tongue-in-cheek cover of The Cars’ My Best Friend's Girl.
It was also used for nearly all of the band’s MTV Live and Loud show in December 1993 and has previously been on display in Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture.
More Information
Video
- +Directly used by Kurt Cobain at Nirvana's final show
- +Featured in MTV Live and Loud performance December 1993
- +Rare Japanese left-handed model from small production run of 10
- +Previously displayed at Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture
- +Excellent documented provenance
- −Significant structural damage with crack on rear body
- −High auction price limits accessibility to collectors
- −Condition affected by extensive touring wear
What is the Sky Stang I Fender Mustang?
The Sky Stang I is a Japanese-made left-handed Fender Mustang in electric blue that belonged to Kurt Cobain. It features a red tortoiseshell pickguard with a unique yellow V-shape, a white humbucker in the bridge position, and visible wear including a crack running from the neck heel down the body.
How much did Kurt Cobain's Sky Stang I sell for?
The Sky Stang I sold for $1,587,500 at Julien's Auctions in Nashville on November 18, 2023. Initial estimates had projected it would fetch between $1 and $2 million.
Where was this Mustang used by Kurt Cobain?
Cobain played the Sky Stang I extensively during Nirvana's final tour following the In Utero album release. It was notably used at the band's final show in Munich, Germany, and for most of MTV's Live and Loud performance in December 1993.
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