Cobain's guitar fetches $117,500

BBC On Line ^ | Sunday, 18 April, 2004 | staff writer

[yankeedame]

Last Updated: Sunday, 18 April, 2004, 13:51 GMT 14:51 UK

Cobain's guitar fetches $117,500

Fans recently marked the 10th anniversary of Cobain's death

A guitar belonging to the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain was auctioned for $117,500 (£65,000) on Saturday. The guitar was said to have been one of his favourites, and was the first of his instruments to go on sale since his death 10 years ago.

It was expected to be sold for $100,000 by Heritage Galleries in Dallas, Texas.

The piano on which Sir Elton John wrote Your Song and Tiny Dancer fetched $164,500 (£91,500) and one of Sir Elton's jumpsuits sold for $26,337 (£14,650).

Unique

The sale in Dallas Market Hall contained more than 1,700 lots made up of instruments, photos, autographs, posters, toys and general music memorabilia.

Cobain purchased the guitar in San Francisco in 1990 and sold it in 1992.

The right-handed guitar was modified to be played by a left-handed person and is the only known example of a Mark IV-style Mosrite Gospel.

Also sold were a signed 1963 poster of The Beatles for $17,625 (£9,800) and Sir Elton's Hollywood Walk of Fame star award for $15,312 (£8,500).

[Petronski]

How much for his shotgun?

[Rebelbase]

"The guitar was said to have been one of his favourites,"--"Cobain purchased the guitar in San Francisco in 1990 and sold it in 1992. "

You don't let one of your "favorites" go after only 2 years.

[lavrenti]

Yeah, that sounds like garbage. What was it, his red left-handed standard Mustang?

If so, this Freeper played it!

[lavrenti]

Oh, duh. Should have read the end of the article.

The Mosrite? Gack!

[Hank Rearden]

Didn't this moron have a Hemingway Headache?

[Fester Chugabrew]

LOL!

[Rebelbase]

"The right-handed guitar was modified to be played by a left-handed person and is the only known example of a Mark IV-style Mosrite Gospel. "

Here it is, made in 1960:

[Rebelbase]

Corbain's Mosrite info here. Says it was one of his favorites because he didn't end up smashing it on stage as he did so many others.....go figure.

[lavrenti]

I've played Mosrites unflipped (strings upside down) and although I liked the neck I had problems with the electronics. Left-handed guitar players always have annoying mishaps with knobs.

Which makes sense that Cobain only owned that gitfiddle for two years. Anyway he played Fenders. Mustangs, Teles, and that nasty Jaguar.

I had serious Johnny Ramone damage as a teenager and wanted a Mosrite. That is, until I tried to play one.

[lavrenti]

What a dork! I remember his fetish for Univox junk. There's more to it than that.

[reagan_fanatic]

Ahh, I know that guitar. It's the one with the hole in the middle...

[AdamSelene235]

Cobain's guitar fetches $117,500

Damn, there must have been at least 2 kilos of H stashed inside it.

[vetvetdoug]

I thought I wanted a Mosrite until I played one. It hung heavier than any guitar I ever played and had an awkward feel to it (compared to a Les Paul and a Tele). I settled on the Les Paul and Gretsch's Country Gentleman. I have no idea why the Ventures settled on Moseley's creations. I did see a crutch Moseley made for Barbara Mandrell that was a crutch and a guitar.

[lavrenti]

I always wondered why Johnny Ramone slung his Mosrite so low until I tried. Bottom heavy as all can be, I agree.

I had Strats, a non-reversed 1965 Firebird and a pair of Gretschs. My current axe is Vox Mark VI teardrop that is the perfect guitar for me, despite me occasionally whacking the &^%$# out of arm playing (due to the knobs).