A central figure of 90s alternative rock, Kurt Cobain made history not only with his distinctive voice and abrasive songwriting but also through his bold choice of instruments. In total opposition to the prevailing codes of virtuosity and sophistication that dominated the guitar world at the time, Cobain showed a clear preference for cheap, worn-out, often customized models. Among them, the Fender Mustang held a special place.
Although originally designed as a beginner’s guitar in the 60s, the Mustang was elevated to mythic status thanks to Cobain. He described it as his favorite guitar, despite — or perhaps because of — its many flaws: tuning instability, quirky electronics, and unconventional design. Far from excelling in technical performance, this guitar perfectly embodied the grunge aesthetic: raw, honest, imperfect.
His attachment to the Mustang was no accident. As a left-handed guitarist, he appreciated being able to buy a model specifically built for left-handers, avoiding DIY conversions. He owned very few of them — two, according to his own words — but each one left a mark on history. The most iconic example remains his 1969 Competition Mustang, in blue with a white racing stripe, used in the legendary “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video. Cobain bought it second-hand around 1990–91, at a time when the model was neither sought-after nor expensive.
The choice of this Mustang to represent Nirvana in one of the most influential music videos in rock history was no coincidence. It helped firmly establish the guitar in the collective imagination as the emblematic instrument of grunge.
The Fender Mustang: a guitar like no other
If the Mustang still captures guitarists’ curiosity today, it’s largely thanks to its off-beat design — a real outlier compared to Fender’s classic standards.
Size and ergonomics
The Mustang stands out with its offset body, similar to the Jazzmaster, and especially its short 24″ scale, much shorter than a Stratocaster’s. This makes it particularly comfortable to play, notably for smaller hands. It also favours bends thanks to the lower string tension. There was even an ultra-short 22.5″ version at the beginning, though it remained marginal. That short scale contributes to a supple feel and a tone that’s a little looser and more unpredictable — exactly what Cobain liked.
Electronics & pickups
Another hallmark is the Mustang’s quirky wiring. Instead of a standard 3-way selector, it has two independent three-position slider switches to control the two angled single-coils. This allows in-phase, out-of-phase or pickup-kill options, yielding original, slightly nasal clean tones that are very characteristic of the model.
But Cobain, a fan of high-gain sounds, didn’t hesitate to tweak things. In 1992, his tech Earnie Bailey swapped the bridge pickup for a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails — a humbucker in single-coil size — far better suited to the aggressive distortion of grunge. These DIY mods were common on Mustangs, which are known as ideal custom platforms.
Bridge & vibrato
Another singular component is Fender’s Dynamic Vibrato system, often criticised for instability. The floating bridge, mounted on height screws, can be temperamental — especially under Cobain’s heavy attack. Once again, mods helped: Bailey replaced the stock bridge with a Tune-O-Matic for extra robustness, then effectively “hard-tailed” the vibrato by reversing the block and adding washers to lock it in place. The result was better tuning stability and greater on-stage reliability.
These adjustments capture the Mustang’s paradox: a guitar conceived for beginners, hacked by Cobain into his main tool — in the studio and amid Nirvana’s ferocious live shows.
Design & finishes
Visually, the Mustang is equally distinctive. In 1969, Fender launched the “Competition” versions with racing stripes inspired by Shelby Mustangs. Cobain’s model sports the Competition Burgundy finish — very close to Lake Placid Blue — crossed by a cream stripe. That vintage look, paired with the compact shape, gave the guitar a personality that naturally appealed to a teenage Cobain, already into modified, hand-decorated instruments.
Ultimately, the Fender Mustang embodied everything Cobain wanted from a guitar: personality, irregularity and sonic grit — a world away from the clinical perfection of late-’80s studio guitars. It became an extension of his art, an extra voice in his musical language of raw emotion.
From “favorite guitar” to museum piece in London
The story of Cobain’s Fender Mustang didn’t end with the artist’s tragic passing. On the contrary, it continued in the world of collectors and fans. The blue Competition Mustang from “Teen Spirit,” displayed for years at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture, was auctioned in 2022. Before the sale, it briefly went on show in London, at the Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly Circus, becoming almost a sacred relic for grunge devotees.
The sale itself reached staggering heights: $4.5 million, placing Cobain’s Mustang among the most expensive guitars ever sold. A striking symbol of Nirvana’s enduring legacy.
But the frenzy around Cobain’s instruments didn’t stop there. Another legendary guitar shattered all records: his Martin D-18E acoustic, used during the 1993 MTV Unplugged concert. With it, Cobain delivered haunting renditions of “About a Girl,” “Come As You Are,” and “Where Did You Sleep Last Night.” It sold in 2020 for over $6 million, becoming the most expensive guitar in history.
That very Martin now lies at the heart of a major exhibition in London. Since June 3, 2025, the Royal College of Music Museum has been hosting “Kurt Cobain Unplugged,” a full tribute to Nirvana and the timeless MTV Unplugged performance. The D-18E is displayed in Europe for the first time, alongside Cobain’s famous olive-green mohair cardigan. Other personal items complete the exhibit: concert posters, rare vinyls, gear elements. For just £5, visitors can immerse themselves in Nirvana’s world.
Co-organized by journalist Alan di Perna and curator Gabriele Rossi Rognoni, the event has met with huge popular success. It illustrates the undiminished power of the Cobain myth, more than three decades after the band’s peak.
While the iconic “Teen Spirit” Mustang is absent from this exhibition (focused on the acoustic side), it has already had its moment of museum glory. And its aura remains intact. In 2012, Fender even reissued a Kurt Cobain Signature Mustang, faithful to the original model’s specs. A coveted piece for fans and musicians seeking that rebellious, distinctive touch unique to Cobain.
By linking his image to the Fender Mustang, Kurt Cobain did more than adopt a guitar: he transformed it into a symbol of an era, of a musical rebellion, of rejecting the norm. This modest instrument became, through him, a true icon — both a cult object and a visceral tool of expression. Even today, whether in musicians’ hands or behind museum glass, the Mustang tells a story of raw passion, gritty sound, and a musical revolution that forever changed the face of rock.
Sources:
Kurt Cobain & Jeff Gilbert, Guitar World (1991)
Stuart Williams, MusicRadar (2024)
Wikipedia – Fender Mustangen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
Julien’s Auctions via MusicRadar (2022)
Royal College of Music Museum – Kurt Cobain Unplugged
Euronews (David Mouriquand, 2025)
MusicRadar (Stuart Williams, 2022)
