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 MOREListen to Sissy Misfit’s essential afters playlistICE Out, the Grammys, and the fight for cultural power in the USRoger VivierWhat went down at an intimate Roger Vivier book launch in ParisGrammys 2026: The biggest snubs from this year’s awardsThe only tracks you need to hear from January 2026This new event series aims to bring spirituality back to live musicMargo XS on the sound of transness: ‘Malleable, synthetic and glossy’The Boy who cried Terrified: Ranking all the tracks on fakemink’s new EPA massive exhibition on Black British music is coming to V&A EastAtmospheric dream-pop artist Maria Somerville shares her offline favouritesA 24-hour London will save the city’s nightlife, says new report‘It’s a revolution’: Nigeria’s new-gen rappers are hitting the mainstreamEscape 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