Nirvana, via YouTubeMusic / NewsMusic / NewsKurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged guitar breaks records at auctionThe guitar sold for over $6 million, shattering previous estimates and becoming the most expensive guitar ever soldShareLink copied ✔️June 21, 2020June 21, 2020TextThom Waite Kurt Cobain’s guitar from the Nirvana singer’s legendary MTV Unplugged performance in 1993 has smashed estimates of $1 million to sell for more than $6 million at auction. The $6,010,000 (or around £4.85 million) price tag of the guitar – a 1959 Martin D-18E – also earns it the title of the most expensive guitar ever sold. A total of seven bids were made at Julien’s Auctions, where it was auctioned June 19, with a winning bid from Peter Freedman, founder of RØDE Microphones. Along with the guitar came its original hard case, decorated by Cobain, including Poison Idea’s album Feel the Darkness, three baggage claim ticket stubs, and an Alaska Airlines sticker. It also contained Cobain’s half-used pack of guitar strings, three guitar picks, and a suede “stash” bag. Last year, Julien’s Auctions additionally sold Cobain’s iconic green mohair cardigan from the show (which also went for a record price). Also included in the auction June 19 and 20 was other Nirvana memorabilia, such as the setlist from the MTV Unplugged performance, a smashed-up Fender Stratocaster from the band’s 1994 In Utero tour, and the t-shirt Cobain wore in the video for “Heart-Shaped Box”. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREK-pop has an AI problemCoals are kickstarting Poland’s dream pop scene RIMOWAGeorge Riley unpacks her favourite travel spots for RIMOWA Evilgiane’s camera roll from his tour with Snow StrippersFinnish alt-pop star Pehmoaino: ‘Art helps us survive this dark country’10 great albums you may have missed in the last three monthsLamb is making ‘electronic lyrical’ music that sounds like no one elseArabic shoegaze duo Kiss Facility speak a language deeper than words‘Nazis can’t dance’: Photos from London’s House Against Hate protest rave5 tracks you can’t miss from March 2026ADL: The best and worst tracks on Yeat’s new album‘A cig in one hand and an inhaler in the other’: Fcukers know how to partyEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy