Smashed Kurt Cobain guitar sells for nearly £500,000 at public sale

An electrical guitar smashed by Kurt Cobain in a recording studio has bought for nearly £500,000 at public sale.

The black Fender Stratocaster, which was broken through the making of Nirvana‘s hit album Nevermind, bought for $595,900 (£479,751) – greater than 10 occasions its unique estimate.

Cobain smashed the instrument whereas recording Endless, Nameless, the hidden ultimate observe on the 1991 album.

It was later reassembled however can’t be performed.

But the six-string does function the signature of Cobain, together with bandmates Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl.

It additionally contains an inscription by Cobain addressed to the late Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan, who died final 12 months on the age of 57.

Cobain wrote: “Hell-o Mark! Love, Your Pal, Kurdt Kobain [sic] washed up rock star”.

The American singer additionally scratched “Boddah Lives” on the neck plate on the again of the instrument – a reference to his imaginary childhood buddy.

The guitar, which was bought by Julien’s Auctions on the Hard Rock Cafe in New York over the weekend, was given to Lanegan throughout Nirvana’s Nevermind tour in late 1992.

A handwritten setlist from the band’s debut efficiency of Smells Like Teen Spirit additionally bought on the similar public sale for $50,800 (£40,900).

Cobain, who took his personal life in 1994 on the age of 27, smashed a string of guitars throughout his profession.

The sale comes after a 1969 Fender Mustang, which Cobain as soon as described as his favorite guitar “in the whole world” – and which was used within the music video for Smells Like Teen Spirit – bought for £3.5m at public sale final 12 months.