LIVE NIRVANA EQUIPMENT GUIDE Kurt Cobain's Guitars, Show-By-Show

Make/model:

Univox Hi-Flier, phase 3

Finish:

Sunburst

Pickguard:

White, painted over in red

White, Jan '88

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

H-H

H-X, Oct '88

Other distinguishing features:

Various stickers applied to front

Monkees guitar logo illustration, "WASP: We Are Scary Posers" graffiti and Mod Squad picture on reverse

Chim Chim/Vagina collage applied to front, Oct '88

First recorded use:

1987-04-18 @ Community World Theater

Last recorded use:

1988-10-30 @ Dorm K208, The Evergreen State College

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Mustang, left-handed

Finish:

Red, sanded down, Nov '88

Painted light blue, April '89

Pickguard:

None, Nov '88

Fashioned from a Jerry Falwell Where Are The Dead? LP, Jan '89

White, April '89

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets, Nov '88

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets, Feb '90

Pickups:

H-X (Univox humbucker installed in the bridge position, neck pickup cavity left empty)

Other distinguishing features:

Control plate fashioned from a broken Univox pickguard

Soundgarden sticker applied to lower bass-side bout, Nov '88

First recorded use:

1988-11-23 @ Speedy O'Tubbs Rhythmic Underground

Last recorded use:

1990-02-09 @ Pine Street Theater

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Univox Hi-Flier, phase 3

Finish:

Natural, May '89

Painted sunburst-effect, June '89

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Maple w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

H-H

First recorded use:

1989-05-26 @ Lindbloom Student Center, Green River Community College

Last recorded use:

1989-07-13 @ Maxwell's

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Mustang

Finish:

Sunburst

Pickguard:

White Pearl

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-X (Univox humbucker installed in the bridge position, neck pickup cavity left empty)

First recorded use:

1989-07-08 @ Club Dreamerz

Last recorded use:

1989-07-09 @ The Sonic Temple

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Univox Hi-Flier, phase 3

Finish:

White

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

H-H

First recorded use:

1989-07-18 @ Pyramid Club (New Music Seminar)

Last recorded use:

1989-11-11 @ Ecstasy

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Hagström II

Finish:

Red

Pickguard:

Black

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

S-S

Other distinguishing features:

TAD sticker on reverse

First recorded use:

1989-11-05 @ Melkweg

Last recorded use:

1989-11-27 @ Piper Club

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Washburn Force 31

Finish:

Black w/ matching headstock

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

H

First recorded use:

1989-12-01 @ Fahrenheit, MJC Espace Icare

Last recorded use:

1989-12-03 @ Astoria Theatre

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Gibson SG Standard

Finish:

Painted light blue

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ block inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-X (Univox humbucker installed in the bridge position, neck pickup cavity left empty)

Other distinguishing features:

Lower bout bound up with duct tape

First recorded use:

1990-01-06 @ East Ballroom, Husky Union Building, University of Washington

Last recorded use:

1990-02-17 @ Iguana's

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Hondo 737

Finish:

Black

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-H

First recorded use:

1990-01-06 @ East Ballroom, Husky Union Building, University of Washington

Last recorded use:

1990-01-12 @ Satyricon

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Epiphone ET-270

Finish:

Cherry Red

Pickguard:

Black

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

S-S

Other distinguishing features:

Gotoh(?) tuners (Feb '90)

First recorded use:

1990-01-19 @ Rignall Hall

Last recorded use:

1990-04-26 @ Pyramid Club

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Home-made Mustang, left-handed

Finish:

Light blue

Pickguard:

Fashioned from a Christ in Gethsemane art print

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H

Bridge/tailpiece:

Non-tremolo hardtail bridge

Other distinguishing features:

Chandler neck w/ black headstock

Mustang control plate

Black bell-shaped speed knob

Strap buttons on the upper horn and tail reinforced with duct tape

First recorded use:

1990-02-14 @ Rough Trade Records

Last recorded use:

1990-02-14 @ Kennel Club

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Home-made Mustang, left-handed

Finish:

Pale pink

Pickguard:

None

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H

Bridge/tailpiece:

Non-tremolo hardtail bridge

Other distinguishing features:

Chandler neck w/ black headstock

Mustang control plate

First recorded use:

1990-02-16 @ Bogart's

Last recorded use:

1990-02-16 @ Bogart's

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Home-made Mustang, left-handed

Finish:

Light blue

Pickguard:

None

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H

Bridge/tailpiece:

Non-tremolo hardtail bridge

Other distinguishing features:

Chandler neck w/ black headstock

Mustang control plate

Metallic barrel-shaped speed knob

First recorded use:

1990-04-27 @ SAGA Dining Rooms, Hampshire College (Amnesty International Benefit)

Last recorded use:

1990-04-30 @ J.C. Dobbs

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Aria Pro II Cardinal Series CS-250

Finish:

Walnut

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-H

H-H (unknown black humbucker installed in the bridge position, May '90)

Other distinguishing features:

Missing tone knobs; missing neck volume knob, May '90

Trimmed pickup selector toggle switch, Aug '90

Missing phase switch and coil tap, Aug '90

First recorded use:

1990-05-02 @ Milestone

Last recorded use:

1990-09-22 @ Motor Sports International Garage

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Mosrite Gospel

Finish:

Sunburst

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

S-S

Other distinguishing features:

Missing truss rod cover

Fingerboard inlays exaggerated with white-out fluid

First recorded use:

1990-08-17 @ Hollywood Palladium

Last recorded use:

1991-02-09 @ The Mushroom

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Harmony Stella H912

Finish:

Sunburst

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Ebonized Maple w/ dot inlays; 18 frets

Other distinguishing features:

Missing truss rod cover

Missing 18th fret

Strung w/ just 5 strings

First recorded use:

1990-09-25 @ KAOS Radio, The Evergreen State College (Boy Meets Girl)

Last recorded use:

1990-09-25 @ KAOS Radio, The Evergreen State College (Boy Meets Girl)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Stratocaster, left-handed

Finish:

Arctic White

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

H-S-S (angled humbucker)

Other distinguishing features:

K Records sticker applied to lower bass-side bout

First recorded use:

1990-10-24 @ Astoria Theatre

Last recorded use:

1991-04-17 @ O.K. Hotel

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Memphis Stratocaster copy, left-handed

Finish:

Red w/ matching headstock

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Maple w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

S-S-S

First recorded use:

1991-01-18 @ LIB 4300, The Evergreen State College (No More Wars Benefit)

Last recorded use:

1991-01-18 @ LIB 4300, The Evergreen State College (No More Wars Benefit)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Stratocaster, left-handed

Finish:

Black

Pickguard:

White, March '91

Black, June '92

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets, March '91

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets (Fender replacement neck), June '91

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets (Fender replacement neck), Sept '91

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets (Kramer replacement neck), June '92

Pickups:

H-S-S (angled humbucker w/ a black surround)

H-S-S (straight humbucker w/ a chrome surround), June '91

Bridge/tailpiece:

Synchronized tremolo bridge, March '91

Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, June '91

Other distinguishing features:

Black dome-shaped control knobs, March '91

Black paint(?) streak on pickguard, below the neck pickup, Oct '91

First recorded use:

1991-03-02 @ The Zoo

Last recorded use:

1991-10-12 @ Cabaret Metro

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Stratocaster, left-handed

Finish:

Black

Pickguard:

Black

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets, June '91

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets (Fernandes replacement neck), Oct '91

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets (Kramer replacement neck), Nov '91

Pickups:

H-S-S (black Seymour Duncan '59-n installed in the bridge position)

Other distinguishing features:

Feederz sticker applied to lower bass-side bout, Aug '91

Missing tone knob, Aug '91

First recorded use:

1991-06-10 @ Gothic Theater

Last recorded use:

1991-12-07 @ Salle Omnisports (Trans Musicales)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Jaguar, left-handed

Finish:

Sunburst

Pickguard:

Tortoise Shell

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-H (cream DiMarzio Super Distortion installed in the bridge position, cream DiMarzio PAF installed in the neck position)

Other distinguishing features:

Three control knobs

Pickup selector toggle switch

Gotoh tuners, June '92

First recorded use:

1991-06-10 @ Gothic Theatre

Last recorded use:

1993-08-06 @ King Performance Center (Mia Zapata Fund Benefit)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Mustang, left-handed

Finish:

Competition Blue w/ matching headstock

Pickguard:

White Pearl

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-S (black Seymour Duncan SHR-1b Hot Rails installed in the bridge position)

Bridge/tailpiece:

Gotoh tune-o-matic bridge, Oct '92

Other distinguishing features:

Racing stripe on lower bass-side bout

First recorded use:

1991-09-16 @ Beehive Music & Video

Last recorded use:

1993-04-09 @ Cow Palace (Tresnjevka Women's Group Benefit)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Ibanez V300L

Finish:

Natural

Pickguard:

Tortoise Shell

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 20 frets

First recorded use:

1991-09-27 @ Tower Records

Last recorded use:

1991-10-14 @ Northern Lights

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Stratocaster, left-handed

Finish:

Arctic White

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

S-S-S, Nov '91

H-S-S (black Seymour Duncan Hot Rails installed in the bridge position), Sept '92

Other distinguishing features:

Dings along the bass-side waist and forearm contour

First recorded use:

1991-11-05 @ Astoria Theatre

Last recorded use:

1992-09-11 @ Seattle Center Coliseum (Washington Music Industry Coalition Benefit)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Takamine/Jasmine left-handed acoustic

Finish:

Natural

Pickguard:

Black

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 20 frets

First recorded use:

1991-11-25 @ JPR 2, NOB Audio (2 Meter Sessie)

Last recorded use:

1991-11-25 @ JPR 2, NOB Audio (2 Meter Sessie)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Unknown left-handed acoustic

Finish:

Sunburst

Pickguard:

N/A

Fingerboard:

Rosewood

First recorded use:

1991-12-01 @ The Southern Bar

Last recorded use:

1991-12-01 @ The Southern Bar

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Stratocaster, left-handed

Finish:

Black

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets, Dec '91

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets (Kramer replacement neck), Aug '92

Pickups:

H-S-S (black Seymour Duncan Hot Rails installed in the bridge position)

Other distinguishing features:

Dings near forearm contour, lower horn and input jack

First recorded use:

1991-12-05 @ Kilburn National Ballroom

Last recorded use:

1992-08-30 @ Richfield Avenue (Reading Festival)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Stratocaster, left-handed

Finish:

Black

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets (Kramer replacement neck), June '92

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets, Jan '93

Pickups:

H-S-S (black Seymour Duncan Hot Rails installed in the bridge position)

Other distinguishing features:

Ding near upper horn, Jan '93

First recorded use:

1992-06-21 @ The Point Theatre

Last recorded use:

1993-01-16 @ Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo (Hollywood Rock Festival)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Telecaster, left-handed

Finish:

Sunburst, painted light blue

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

S-S, Jan '92

H-S (Seymour Duncan Hot Rails installed in the bridge position), June '92

Bridge/tailpiece:

Vintage 3-saddle bridge

Other distinguishing features:

"Courtney" and a heart etched into the paintwork on the lower bout

First recorded use:

1992-01-24 @ Phoenician Club

Last recorded use:

1993-01-16 @ Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo (Hollywood Rock Festival)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Stratocaster, left-handed

Finish:

Arctic White

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

H-S-S (white Seymour Duncan Hot Rails installed in the bridge position)

Other distinguishing features:

Dark burn(?) mark on the upper treble-side bout and pickguard, between the waist and lower horn

Large line-shaped abrasion on the lower treble-side bout, between the strap button and the input jack

First recorded use:

1992-02-14 @ Kokusai Koryu Center

Last recorded use:

1992-10-30 @ Estadio José Amalfitani

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Ferrington Custom Mustang, left-handed

Finish:

Sonic Blue

Pickguard:

Tortoise Shell

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ heart-shaped inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-S-S (Bartolini pickups; middle pickup set at an angle)

Bridge/tailpiece:

Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece

Other distinguishing features:

Pickup selector switch

Bridge pickup mini-toggle switch

Boat-shaped jack input

First recorded use:

1992-06-21 @ The Point Theatre

Last recorded use:

1992-06-21 @ The Point Theatre

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Stratocaster, left-handed

Finish:

Sunburst

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inalys; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-S-S (white Seymour Duncan Hot Rails installed in the bridge position)

First recorded use:

1992-08-30 @ Richfield Avenue (Reading Festival)

Last recorded use:

1993-11-26 @ Morocco Shrine Auditorium

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Epiphone FT-79 Texan

Finish:

Natural

Pickguard:

Tortoise Shell

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ parallelogram inlays; 20 frets

Pickups:

H (Bartolini 3AV soundhole pickup)

Other distinguishing features:

"Nixon Now" sticker applied to lower bout, July '93

First recorded use:

1992-09-26 @ Castaic Lake Amphitheatre

Last recorded use:

1994-02-24 @ Palatrussardi

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Telecaster Deluxe

Finish:

Walnut

Pickguard:

Black

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-H

Other distinguishing features:

F-hole

First recorded use:

1992-09-26 @ Castaic Lake Amphitheatre

Last recorded use:

1992-09-26 @ Castaic Lake Amphitheatre

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Univox Hi-Flier Custom

Finish:

Sunburst

Pickguard:

Tortoise Shell

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

H-H (black Seymour Duncan JB installed in the bridge position, black Seymour Duncan 59-n installed in the neck position)

Bridge/tailpiece:

Ibanez Gibraltar bridge

Other distinguishing features:

Grover Rotomatics tuners, Sept '93

First recorded use:

1992-10-03 @ Sam Carver Gymnasium, Western Washington University

Last recorded use:

1993-09-25 @ Studio 8H, NBC Studios (Saturday Night Live)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Univox Hi-Flier, phase 2

Finish:

Sunburst

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

S-S

Bridge/tailpiece:

Gotoh tune-o-matic bridge

Other distinguishing features:

Grover Rotomatics tuners

First recorded use:

1993-01-23 @ Praça da Apoteose (Hollywood Rock Festival)

Last recorded use:

1993-07-23 @ Roseland Ballroom (New Music Seminar)

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Stratocaster, left-handed *

Finish:

Black

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

S-S-S

First recorded use:

1993-10-31 @ James A. Rhodes Arena, University of Akron

Last recorded use:

1993-12-30 @ Great Western Forum †

1993-12-31 @ Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena

Recorded use chart:

* This is one of several very similar-looking black & white Fender Strats with stock pickups—unfortunately, there aren't enough clear images to properly distinguish between them
† Occasions where examples are known to have been destroyed beyond repair and given away

Make/model:

Fender Mustang, left-handed

Finish:

Fiesta Red

Pickguard:

Tortoise Shell, July '93

White Pearl, Oct '93

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-S, July '93

H-S (black Seymour Duncan JB installed in the bridge position), Oct '93

Bridge/tailpiece:

Schaller GTM tune-o-matic bridge, Oct '93

Blocked tremolo

Flipped tailpiece

Other distinguishing features:

Trimmed slider switches

First recorded use:

1993-07-22 @ Roseland Ballroom (New Music Seminar rehearsals)

Last recorded use:

1994-02-24 @ Palatrussardi

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Martin D-18E

Finish:

Natural

Pickguard:

Tortoise Shell

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 20 frets

Pickups:

S-S, Sept '93

H (Bartolini 3AV soundhole pickup), Nov '93

Other distinguishing features:

Grover tuners, Nov '93

Gotoh tuners, Dec '93

First recorded use:

1993-09-08 @ Club Lingerie (Rock Against Rape Benefit)

Last recorded use:

1994-02-27 @ Hala Tivoli

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Univox Hi-Flier, phase 4

Finish:

White

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Maple w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

H-H

Bridge/tailpiece:

B.C. Rich Badass bridge

First recorded use:

1993-10-21 @ Memorial Hall

Last recorded use:

1993-10-21 @ Memorial Hall

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Mustang, left-handed

Finish:

Sonic Blue

Pickguard:

Tortoise Shell

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-S (white Seymour Duncan JB installed in the bridge position)

Bridge/tailpiece:

Schaller GTM tune-o-matic bridge

Blocked tremolo

Flipped tailpiece

Other distinguishing features:

Trimmed slider switches

Pale V-shaped fleck on pickguard, between the neck and bridge pickups

First recorded use:

1993-10-18 @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Arizona State Fair)

Last recorded use:

1994-03-01 @ Terminal 1, Flughafen München-Riem

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Stratocaster, left-handed

Finish:

Candy Apple Red

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 21 frets

Pickups:

H-S-S (white Seymour Duncan Hot Stack installed in the bridge position)

First recorded use:

1993-11-04 @ Maple Leaf Gardens

Last recorded use:

1993-11-12 @ George Wallace Civic Center

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Jag-Stang, left-handed

Finish:

Sonic Blue

Pickguard:

White

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-S (white Seymour Duncan JB installed in the bridge position, white Fender Texas Special installed in the neck position)

Bridge/tailpiece:

Tune-O-Matic bridge

Blocked tremolo

Flipped tailpiece

First recorded use:

1993-12-01 @ Boutwell Municipal Auditorium

Last recorded use:

1994-02-27 @ Hala Tivoli

Recorded use chart:

Make/model:

Fender Mustang, left-handed

Finish:

Sonic Blue

Pickguard:

Tortoise Shell

Fingerboard:

Rosewood w/ dot inlays; 22 frets

Pickups:

H-S (black Seymour Duncan JB installed in the bridge position)

Bridge/tailpiece:

Unidentified ABR-1 tune-o-matic bridge

Blocked tremolo

Flipped tailpiece

Other distinguishing features:

Trimmed slider switches

Pale blotch on pickguard, just below the bridge pickup

First recorded use:

1993-12-02 @ Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center

Last recorded use:

1994-02-23 @ Studio 2, RAI Centro di Produzione TV Studi Nomentano (Tunnel)

Recorded use chart: