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Here for sale is a Fender 1984 Japan Custom Telecaster custom based on Kurt Cobain's specifications on the last modified electric guitar he acquired in 1993 and then was returned to him by his guitar tech Earnie Bailey in 1994. Interestingly this is in fact based on both Kurt's only two telecasters. The first being his 1984 Telecaster made in Japan model which he played on the the Nevermind tour, predominantly the the Pacific rim part in Japan and Australia and then was used again in South America where the neck was broken on stage. This was the guitar that he painted baby blue and from the back you can see the sunburst paint and on the 'I heart Courtney' on the front. His second telecaster which he got direct from Fender in 1993 had very shrill pick ups. Kurt can be seen playing this guitar backstage in '93 in a serious of famous photographs by Steve Gullick. This later Telecaster was then modified by Earnie Bailey to feature a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge and a Gibson '59 in the neck position. This is was this guitar is based on and if you will is a bridge between Kurt's two telecasters.

The guitar has been professionally set up and plays and sounds fantastic and will be sent with the original pickup and mount.

Here is some more info on Kurt's custom Telecaster:

"This is the guitar that Kurt wrote his music on and carried with him for months from bus to hotel room to airline toward the end of his career. This guitar was not exclusively used for live performance but more for writing and never left his side. It was used from late 1993 until his death in 1994. It is featured on the cover of the book "Nirvana" and on pages 116-123. There are distinguishable markings on the body that can be matched up perfectly with these photos. It also comes with original prints of Kurt playing this guitar and a notarized detailed letter from a crew member. The pickups, bridge, and tuners were changed at one point, as this was a common practice with Kurt's guitars. This was done by Earnie Bailey, Kurt's guitar tech. This comes with a letter from Earnie detailing the complete modifications done to this guitar. Earnie also supplied the original receipt for the bridge pickup and a letter from Gibson for the neck pickup that he installed, and has signed photos of this guitar ensuring the authenticity of the instrument. And it still has four of the original strings on the guitar."  
From kurtsequiptment.com  
"Sent to Kurt by Fender in early 1994 . Japanese made. "Fender sent this out for the In Utero tour to replace the blue one. Stock pickups were very shrill. After Kurt's coma in Rome, I thought modifying this guitar would make it a workhorse and get him away from the Mustang-Jaguar image. Hopefully get him perked up. I put on new tuners (Gotoh's - his favorite). A Tele bridge from Stew-Mac with a humbucker cut-out and individual saddles for each string. In the bridge, I put a Duncan JB - black, and in the neck, a new Gibson PAF, potted with a Chrome cover. He got this back 2 weeks before he died, and said it was his new favorite. He used it for the home recordings he was making with Pat and Eric Erlanderson in March 1994 in Kurt's basement. "  
Earnie Bailey The guitar can be posted out or collected from my shop by appointment only at: Guitarsmiths, 2nd Floor Above Cotters Shoes, 48 Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2NF Call/ Text 0044 (0)7900123408 to arrange a viewing/ play the instrument. If collecting in person cash is preferred.

This item is sold As-Described

This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.Learn More.

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Listed8 years ago
ConditionVery Good (Used)
Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.Learn more
Brand
Model
  • Telecaster Custom
Finish
  • 3 Tone Sunburst
Categories
Year
  • 1984
Made In
  • Japan
Body Type
  • Solid Body

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Guitarsmith

Gloucester, United Kingdom
Joined Reverb:2017

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