Nirvana frontman, guitarist and American music icon Kurt Cobain is famously known for his love of Fender guitars and his groove for having them custom made. Cobainโs most legendary Fenderโs include his self-designed Jagstang to the custom left-handed Mustang dubbed the โSkystang IIIโ in sky blue which is now up for auction.
This Fender was custom built for Cobain in 1993, played in Nirvanaโs Utero tour. The guitar was built by Scott Zimmerman, who also built the necks of Cobainโs first two Fender Jagstangs. During production, 10 of the custom made guitars were ordered, however only six were eventually delivered. Cobainโs personal guitar tech further fitted and perfected the Mustang with black Seymour Duncan JB pickup and a Gotoh Tune-o-Matic bridge.
Three months after Cobainโs death, Courtney Love Cobain sent the Skystang III to a fan with an accompanying letter stating that this was one of Cobainโs favourite guitars. The Fender, letter, original hardshell case as well as the shipping document from Love Cobain, were on exhibition at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Here, a fan broke through the barrier protecting the Mustang and stole two knobs off the guitar. Since then, these were replaced by the Museum with identical knobs.
The Skystang is Cobainโs most documented and well-known Fender that has ever been up for auction. Register to bid at Julienโs Auctions. Starting at USD$75,000.