Kurt Cobain's "Teen Spirit" 1969 Fender Mustang
This guitar (serial number F 279651) was purchased by Cobain prior to recording Nevermind and was one of his personal favorites and probably the one most associated with him. Kurt used this guitar extensively both live and in the studio from 1991-1992, including for the music video of Smells Like Teen Spirit. Despite being a guitar Kurt took special care of, he did smash it out of frustration at a show in Dallas in 1991 breaking the neck joint. Eventually Cobain placed his beloved Fender Mustang in storage for the In Utero tour. It was rarely used thereafter, an exception being at the Hollywood Rock Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1993.
GALLERY: Experience Music Project Guitar Collection
From Hendrix’s Woodstock Strat to Kurt Cobain’s Jaguar, the EMP Museum houses some of the most iconic and rare vintage guitars in the world.
By Corbin ReiffNov 28, 2012
Corbin Reiff
From the time he first picked up a copy of Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains the Same as a teenager, Corbin Reiff has been obsessed with music and guitar in particular. Originally from Sacramento, CA, Corbin joined the U.S. Army after graduating High School and spent five years in uniform including one year overseas in Iraq in 2009. After getting out Corbin has spent the last few years as a working music writer in the Seattle area where he lives with his wife Jenna and his two dogs, Hendrix and Page.