Fender reissue Kurt Cobain guitar for 30th anniversary of ‘Nevermind’
The guitar is based on Kurt's own drawings and designs
By Jen Thomas
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Nirvana’s iconic ‘Nevermind’ album, Fender is releasing a special reissue of Kurt Cobain’s Jag-Stang guitar.
The frontman was a fan of the Fender Jaguar and Mustang guitars and had his own custom design that combined his favourite parts from each.
This anniversary edition Jag-Stang is based on Kurt’s custom model. His guitar was inspired by designs and drawings made in his personal journals.
He played the Jag-Stang several times on the ‘In Utero’ tour before his tragic death in April 1994.
In an interview with Fender Frontline in 1994, Kurt explained: “Ever since I started playing, I’ve always liked certain things about certain guitars but could never find the perfect mix of everything I was looking for. The Jag-Stang is the closest thing I know.”
Justin Norvell, EVP of Fender Products, said in a statement: “When we took a look at the sketches Kurt Cobain had drawn up for his dream guitar, we were impressed by how intricate his design was,
“We honoured the original model – all the specs on the new Jag Stang are as they were. Nothing new was done to it, we really wanted to keep it aligned with Kurt’s vision.”
He added: “Through our long-standing relationship with the Kurt Cobain Estate, we always knew we wanted to bring his vision to life. It’s been an immense honour to help bring his idea to fruition and revive this model.”
The reissue is available in both right-handed and left-handed models. You can choose from a Fiesta Red or Sonic Blue Cobain Jag-Stang.
As for features, it has an alder body, vintage-style single-coil and custom humbucking pickups, teamed with a 7.25″ radius rosewood fingerboard.
If you want one of your own it’ll set you back £1,249. Find out more about the Kurt Cobain Jag-Stag here.
‘Nevermind’ was released in September 1991. Talking about the anniversary, drummer Dave Grohl revealed how his kids love Nirvana’s music.
Speaking to The Dave Berry Breakfast Show on Absolute Radio he revealed it used to be hard hearing Nirvana songs. Dave said: “There was a long time when a song would come on and I would just turn it off.”
“I don’t want to hear that. It would bring back lots of difficult memories.”
He added: “But now I’ll be driving with my kids in the car and a Nirvana song will come on, and they will start singing it and they know the words.
“We don’t listen to it at home, but somehow it’s become a part of their lives now, and it’s cool.”