The definitive guide

Kurt’s Guitars

Kurt Cobain played guitar left-handed, primarily using left-handed guitars, though he occasionally used right-handed guitars strung for a lefty and played upside down. This comprehensive guide documents his instruments throughout his career, with verified information from his guitar technicians (particularly Earnie Bailey), interviews with Kurt himself, and other reliable sources.

01

Fender

02

Martin

03

Kurt Cobain's Fender Jag-Stang Sonic Blue

Modifications

Pre-Nirvana and Early Days (Pre-1989)

Kurt’s earliest known guitar was a Lindell, given to him on his 14th birthday by his uncle, Chuck Fradenburg. His early arsenal was limited by financial constraints, consisting primarily of affordable models like Univox Hi-Flyers and other budget-friendly instruments. His preference for offset Fender models wasn’t solely aesthetic—these guitars were more readily available in left-handed configurations and replacement parts were easier to find. This practical consideration guided many of his guitar choices throughout his caree

Explore Kurt Cobain’s Early Pre-Fame Guitars

Bleach Era (1989)

During the recording of Bleach, Kurt primarily used Univox guitars with stock humbuckers. According to producer Jack Endino, the Univox was used up until the recording of “Sappy,” after which Kurt began transitioning to Fender models. The budget constraints of this era meant Kurt often had to make do with what was available, leading to his resourceful approach to guitar maintenance and modification.

Kurt Cobain’s Bleach-Era Univox Guitars

Nevermind Era (1991-1992)

With the monetary advance for Nevermind, Kurt purchased several Japanese Fender Stratocasters and his iconic 1965 Jaguar and 1969 Competition Mustang. This period marked his transition to primarily using Fender guitars, which defined his sound for the remainder of his career. Despite increased resources, Kurt maintained his preference for modifying guitars to suit his specific needs rather than purchasing expensive custom models.

Kurt Cobain’s Iconic Nevermind Guitars

In Utero Era (1993-1994)

Kurt’s final guitar collection featured several specifically modified Fender Mustangs (the “Sky-Stangs” and “Oranj-Stang”), which he used extensively on the In Utero tour. He also worked with Fender on custom designs like the Jag-Stang. His guitar preferences had become more refined, with specific requirements for pickups, bridges, and overall setups. Despite his success, Kurt continued to cover manufacturer logos on his equipment, maintaining his anti-establishment aesthetic.

Kurt Cobain’s Custom In Utero Tour Guitars

Featured guitar

Fender Jag-Stang

Explore Collections

“I’m left-handed, and it’s not very easy to find reasonably priced, high-quality left-handed guitars. But out of all the guitars in the whole world, the Fender Mustang is my favorite.”

— Kurt Cobain, Guitar World Interview, February 1992

Fender Guitars

Kurt primarily played Fender guitars throughout his career, favoring their offset bodies, unique tones, and left-handed availability. These instruments became synonymous with the grunge movement.