Blue Fender Jagstang

Sonic Blue Custom Shop Fender Jagstang

This guitar was designed by Kurt Cobain in collaboration with Fender's Custom Shop. For a wealth of information on the background of the Jagstang visit jag-stang.com. Two prototypes were created and Kurt only had the chance to play the first one (as seen above). To check out the second red prototype click here.

After his death Courtney Love gave the guitar to Michael Stipe of REM. Michael Stipe considers the guitar to belong to REM and not him personally. Mike Mills and Peter Buck of REM used it extensively on tour in 1995 on a song written for Kurt titled "Let Me In".

Kurt's Jagstang related videos

1. REM playing and talking about Kurt's Jagstang

2. REM's WTFK Music Video featuring Kurt's Jagstang

3. Kurt talking about Jagstang to MTV (@7:12) (Link removed by YT. Waiting for replacement)

4. Another interview where Kurt talks about Jagstang (@5:00) - Kurt's face lights up when asked :)

Update: UMG keeps removing the video clips of Kurt talking about the Jagstang. Ergghh!

Youtube videos of Kurt playing Jagstang

1 - Pennyroyal Tea (clip)

2 - Lithium 2/14/94

3 - Rape Me 2/14/94 (updated! Now in HQ)

4 - Dumb 2/27/94 (great close up!)

5 - Very Ape 2/24/94 (@ 3:17)

Found others? Please post them in the comments section.

Click here to visit my Photobucket account for Kurt's different drafts of the Jagstang.

Sources;

Mike @ livenirvana

Jon @ Prospect

jag-stang.com

Rough Cut/Road Movie REM video.

Red Fender Jagstang

The red Jagstang is on display at The Fender Museum in California. Next to the guitar are the original Polaroid mockups and cardboard cutouts that Kurt made for Fender's Custom Shop.

Kurt never actually saw the red Jagstang. According to an interview with Larry Brooks (Guitar world, March 1995); "We were (packing) the guitar to ship it to him when we got the news (of his death)". Kurt already had the blue one in his possessions and was making notes on changes he wanted to make.

Top Photo:Kurt's design submission to Fender.

The markings on the right are scanning instructions for when the mockup was scanned for Guitar World. This is a different mockup than what was featured in Journals. In Journals there is a similar mockup done by Kurt which featured a sunburst color.

The red Jagstang was also photographed for Fender's Frontline magazine in the Fall of 1994. See photo.

For more information on the Jagstang click here.

Entry on blue Jagstang here.

Source;

jag-stang.com (Frontline pic)

Jon @ prospect (museum photos)