Kurt Cobain's Smashed Guitar Sold for Shocking Amount at Auction on This Day in 2023

A black Fender Stratocaster guitar Kurt Cobain smashed during a live performance sold at auction for $596,000 in 2023. The left-handed guitar was originally estimated at between $60,000 and $80,000. Julien's Auctions, known for handling sales of music icons, conducted the auction, which drew international appeal.

"Items from Kurt Cobain or Nirvana are becoming more difficult to obtain, and they are one of the highest in terms of collectability of all rock bands," Darren Julien, the CEO of Julien's Auctions, told NPR.

Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl also signed the guitar and dedicated it to a previous owner of the guitar. Cobain's close friend and musical collaborator, Mark Lanegan, of Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age. Cobain wrote "Hell-o Mark! Love, Your Pal, Kurdt Kobain / Washed up rockstar." Cobain notoriously misspelled his name when signing fan memorabilia.

The guitar was repaired to a degree, but was no longer playable. The person who won the auction works in finance and wished to remain anonymous, according to a news report.

During Nirvana's career, Cobain reportedly smashed between 70 and 80 guitars onstage, most of them inexpensive Fender Stratocasters used heavily while touring.

After destroying this particular guitar, Cobain continued performing with other Fender models throughout the "Nevermind" and "In Utero" tours, including the band's first appearance on Saturday Night Live in January 1992.

Vandalism as Art

Cobain destroyed the guitar in the studio while recording what would become "Endless, Nameless," the hidden track that played about ten minutes after "Something in the Way," the final track listed on the "Nevermind" album in 1991.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ISvDcIfEhBo

Following that guitar smashing, Cobain used other Fenders, and he can be seen performing with them on stage throughout the "Nevermind" and "In Utero" tours, including the band's first appearance on Saturday Night Live in January 1992.

Nirvana's Acoustic Side

Despite their reputation for loud, chaotic performances, Nirvana also embraced acoustic music. In 1993, the band performed "Come as You Are" during their now-legendary appearance on MTV Unplugged.

More than three decades after his death, Cobain's music still resonates across generations. His songwriting and raw emotional style helped define the grunge era and influenced artists including Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, and Weezer.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 9:20 AM.