Few artists have impacted music culture as profoundly and rapidly as Kurt Cobain. Emerging in the early 1990s, Nirvana redefined the musical landscape, blending raw, heavy sounds with punk energy and melodic sensibilities. This potent combination resonated with a generation, catapulting grunge and alternative rock into the mainstream.
While Cobain was known for playing various Fender guitars, his Fender Jaguar® and Mustang® guitars became iconic, particularly through the “Nevermind” era and the groundbreaking “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video. Seeking to merge his favorite aspects of these two models, Kurt collaborated with the Fender Custom Shop in 1993 to bring his vision to life: the Jag-Stang® guitar.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Nirvana’s landmark album “Nevermind,” the Jag-Stang has been re-released, retaining the key features that made it Cobain’s preferred instrument. The alder body provides a robust and punchy tone, ideal for powerful chords. The 24″ short-scale neck reduces string tension, enhancing playability, while the 7.25″ radius rosewood fingerboard paired with a maple neck offers a comfortable, vintage feel that reduces hand fatigue during extended playing sessions. Equipped with a vintage-style single-coil pickup and a custom humbucking pickup, the Jag-Stang excels at replicating Cobain’s signature tones. Furthermore, the Mustang slider switches offer tonal versatility, allowing players to explore four distinct settings and a range of in-phase and out-of-phase sounds.
Alt text: Kurt Cobain passionately playing a blue Fender Jag-Stang guitar during a live Nirvana concert, highlighting the instrument’s connection to his energetic stage presence.
