This guitar was first seen at the Castaic Lake Amphitheatre, Castaic, CA, on September 26, 1992, when Kurt joined Mudhoney on stage and played a couple of songs (video below). At that point, the guitar seemed to have been completely stock, but by July 23, 1993, when Kurt was next seen using it, a sticker reading ‘Nixon Now’ was added to the top of the body, just behind the bridge.
Less obvious, but probably more important to point out, the guitar had Schaller tuning keys and a Bartolini 3AV soundhole pick installed. The Bartolini, however, must’ve been installed at a later date, as all the photos showing Kurt playing the guitar don’t show any sort of a soundhole pickup.
Based on the looks, Kurt’s Epiphone was either an early 60s model or older (some sources claim it’s a 1961 model). By the mid-60s, the design of the model changed dramatically, with Gibson taking over Epiphone to feature fewer curves, similar to Gibson’s J-45. Furthermore, no Epiphone logo on the pickguard and the rectangular bridge all match models made no later than 1960/61. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, this is not a “Texan” model (see comments for explanation).
Nowadays, finding an FT-79 from this time is extremely rare. Typically, you’ll encounter models manufactured between the early 60s and 1970 – the period when the guitar underwent discontinuation.
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I believe this guitar was in the background of the MTV unplugged performance, it was another troll of kurts, bringing in a acoustic just to leave it in the background, and play an acoustic-electric
here is a photo, right near the drum set you can see the guitar, partially covered, but with the nixon sticker visible
I sold Kurt that guitar, when I worked at Norman’s Rare Guitars in Reseda. He had come in to browse in person, as I had always dealt with his management. We had just got the guitar in, and it sounded really great, so I said “you should really check this out, it’s really different- but plays and sounds great”. After playing it for a few minutes, both he and the guitar were sold.
I can’t remember what the exact model was, but I’ve not seen one since.
Kurt was really nice, very guarded, still wrapping his head around the superstar fame he was dealing with at the time. But tried to seem as grounded as possible. Such a shame.
Do you happen to remember whether the guitar had ladder bracing or x bracing?
Guitar is an 1951 FT-79 X-Braced
That’s the prevailing theory, but I’ve never seen a picture of the soundhole’s sticker to see the serial number or a legitimate site that can prove without a doubt that it indeed is a 1951 model.
1951 and beyond are interesting years for Epiphone FT-79’s. Some were ladder braced and some were X braced but the year alone wouldn’t be a clear indication but it’s a start.
Best way to tell is to take a camera inside to see. But I suspect it really may be X braced since Earnie Bailey said it sounded great. Ladder braced guitars arent the most popular sounding guitars to most folks so the fact he said it sounded great leads me to believe it was X braced.
So I believe you, I just really wish we had tangible proof.
This is not a Texan.
When Gibson acquired Epiphone (in 1957), the repurposed existing Epiphone model numbers, including the FT-79, on their new models.
Epiphone had produced the FT-79 in two different formats in New York – the original was a square-shouldered, Martin-style dreadnought, and then the version Kurt Cobain played. Gibson paired Epiphone necks with J-45 body parts to create their version of the FT-79, which was the first time it was called the Texan.