Kurt Cobain’s 1965 Fender Jaguar

This guitar is probably one of the most recognizable guitars used by Kurt, probably because it was used extensively during the ‘Nevermind’ tour. Although it’s impossible to say for sure just based on photos, it seems that Kurt didn’t use it live until the start of the European tour, circa mid-August 1991.

I own a ’66 Jaguar. That’s the guitar I polish and baby—I refuse to let anyone touch it when I jump into the crowd. (laughs)

Kurt Cobain Talks Gear and More in His Final Guitar World Interview

Mods and the Origin Story

Kurt allegedly acquired the Jaguar through an ad published in LA’s Recycler magazine, and at that point, it was already heavily modified by the previous owner. The original single-coils were replaced with two DiMarzios – a PAF in the neck and a Super Distortion in the bridge, and the stock bridge piece was replaced with Gibson’s Tune-O-Matic. It was also fitted with additional volume control, and the original pickup selector switches were replaced with a single toggle switch. The stock control knobs were also replaced with chrome ones, identical to those fitted on Telecaster guitars.

As far as the mods that Kurt did himself, it appears that all he did was add some duct tape over the toggle and top selector switch, in order to avoid accidental toggles while playing. Both of those were presumably set in the ‘bridge’ position.

A stock 1965 Fender Jaguar compared to Kurt Cobain’s Jaguar (replica made by Fender, not the actual guitar)

The interesting thing is, according to Ernie, the Jaguar also came with an Anvil flight case (those large sturdy boxes that most touring musicians use for their equipment) which means that the guitar was obviously used by a professional musician who traveled with it. This, coupled with the fact that it had some unique mods done to it, obviously done by someone who knew what he was after, makes one wonder who the original owner might be.

On that subject – just recently, a tdpri forum member Blazer [The Mystery of Kurt Cobain’s Fender Jaguar’s former owner solved?] discovered a similarity between Kurt’s guitar, and a Fender Jaguar used by Martin Jenner, guitarist for Cliff Richard and The Everly Brothers. Both guitars have the exact same mods, which is just too big of a coincidence for them not to be the same guitar (you can see the guitar played by Martin in this video – Cliff At Chichester [1980]; skip to 5:20).

This theory was also somewhat confirmed by Krist Novoselic, who replied to a tweet about the discovery made on the tdpri forums.

Neck Discrepancy

The main issue with this theory is that the neck on Martin’s and Kurt’s Jaguar(s) is different. On the video footage of Martin playing the guitar, one can clearly see the block inlays on the fretboard, while Kurt’s Jag has Pearloid dots inlays. Furthermore, although the neck on Kurt’s guitar is a proper 24-inch-scale (like all of the factory Jaguars from around this period), the headstock shape is that of a Stratocaster model (which has a 25 1/2-inch scale, meaning it was not simply Strat neck on a Jag body). Lastly, the headstock on Kurt’s Jag has a spaghetti-style Fender logo, which was never used on factory Jaguar models.

To bring even more confusion into this, even the neck that was on the guitar when Martin played it isn’t period correct. If this is indeed a 1965 Fender Jaguar (no official source appears to exist on this, and Kurt himself refers to the guitar as a ’66 Jag), the guitar would’ve had a neck with dot inlays. The block inlays didn’t appear on models made prior to late 1966 [GuitarHQ – Block fingerboard inlays replace dots by late 1966]

This all leads to the conclusion that the guitar had at least three different necks on it. The first one was, of course, the original dot inlay neck, the second one was 1966/67 with block inlays seen with Martin, and the third one was the one that was on the guitar when Kurt acquired it. This third neck was likely custom-made, or a heavily modified Fender neck.

Jaguar on the Road

As said in the opening paragraph, this guitar was first used live during Nirvana’s European tour in August 1991. At first, it was seen only occasionally, since Kurt used his black Vandalism Stratocaster more often, but over the next few months, the Jaguar slowly became his main guitar of choice. By September/October, Jaguar was the guitar that Kurt usually used for most of the set, and at the end, he would usually switch to a random Stratocaster, which he would then destroy.

From that point on it was used on various concert dates during the Nevermind tour in 1991/92, most notably at Saturday Night Live on January 11, 1992, at Live at Reading on August 30, 1992, and at Hollywood Rock Festival on January 23, 1993.

Kurt continued using the guitar in 1993, although very sparsely, and it was last seen on August 6, 1993, at the Seattle King Performance Center, which was Nirvana’s last gig before they went started on the ‘In Utero’ tour.

There are some rumors that the guitar was at that point damaged, and that the bridge pickup needed to be replaced. However, even if this is true, it doesn’t seem that Kurt ever used it with the new pickup installed, which again as rumors say, was a black-colored Seymour Duncan JB.

After Kurt’s Death

Although this is far from official or confirmed, it seems that Kurt’s Jaguar ended up with Hole’s guitarist, Eric Erlandson. This speculation is based on the fact that Eric played it during the music video for the song “Doll Parts”. Note that the pickup in the bridge position is black on Eric’s guitar, which somewhat confirms the theory that Kurt’s replaced his DiMarzio Super Distortion, which was of course white.

Replica made by Fender

In 2011, Fender started the production of the Fender Jaguar ‘Kurt Cobain’ model, which is of course based on his original 1965 Jag. The guitar features the exact same set of pickups, a DiMarzio DP103 PAF 36th Anniversary in the neck and a DP100 Super Distortion in the bridge, as well as the custom toggle switch, Adjust-o-Matic bridge, and Gotoh sealed tuners.

Feedback

GroundGuitar counts on your criticism and feedback. In case you notice anything wrong with the information posted on this page, or you have knowledge of something that you would like to share, be sure to leave a comment below.

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Mike
Mike
1 day ago

There’s a discussion for about a year ago with footage of the Jaguar with the Strat-like neck while it was with Jenner.

https://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=124717

Anon
Anon
1 year ago

Hey I recently purchased a Kurt Jaguar and was wondering what strings, strap, strap locks and picks he used with his Jaguar. Thanks

D.A
D.A
1 year ago

(sorry are not in ingles the comentario)
estuve viendo imágenes de fender jaguar zurdas y todas tenían algo similar el puente tremolo era uno para una guitarra diestra y eso me lleva a pensar que la jaguar es o un modelo customisado porque el puente es para una guitarra zurda (que puedes ver en todas las guitarras tipo jaguar o jazzmaster actuales) y es mas un modelo completamente unico mas de lo que pensábamos aparte de lo que ya sabemos.

D.A
D.A
1 year ago
Reply to  D.A

(sorry if you see any misspelling or something nonsense I’m using the translator)
I was looking at left-handed fender jaguar images from 1964 to the 70s and they all had something similar the tremolo bridge was one for a right-handed guitar and that leads me to think that the jaguar is or a custom model because the bridge is for a left-handed guitar (which you can see on all current jaguar or jazzmaster type guitars) and it is more of a completely unique model than we thought apart from what we already know.

Bleach stain
Bleach stain
2 years ago

Are going to article about abot another Jag, which they returned in 1992 ?

3cf292564cfccd7adbe03f00bd469ff7.jpg
Jason
Jason
2 years ago

I sold a tube amp a couple days ago to a gentleman from Madison, Wisconsin who claims that he sold Kurt a 1965 Fender Jaguar back in the early 1990’s when the band was recording at Smart Studios. I was told that Kurt called this man after seeing his ad in a newspaper and came over to his house to check out the guitar. The seller didn’t have any clue who Kurt was or didn’t know if his band at that given time, but he specifically remembers Kurt’s hair and his height. Kurt told him he would be painting the gold body of the guitar. The buyer believes the neck of the guitar could have been reused by Kurt.

Really cool story!!!!

kkun
kkun
2 years ago
Reply to  Jason

really?

Jason
Jason
2 years ago
Reply to  kkun

Yes :)

Jaxon
Jaxon
2 years ago

i would paint good money to see more HD pictures of this from all angles and with everything opened up. just to see how the beast was brought to life. neck & pocket would be fascinating. whoever owns it must be pretty well off. this guitar, the comp mustang and his martin are probably the 3 most recognizable of his arsenal. i’d bet this would fetch close to what his martin sold for. in fantasy land i would pick this over all of his guitars to own. i remember growing up and wanting one like his more than anything. when the road worn came out it was literally a dream come true. the bridge is definitely not EXACTLY the same, but very close. the action can’t be dropped super low because the bridge bottoms out on the pickguard plastic before you could get it to that ultra low spot. i was shocked at the quality, detail to the worn aspects and overall playability for $1200 or whatever they were new. i bought the first one i touched in sam ash, sold it a few years later and i regret it every day.
also the road worn are superior to the unworn ones. they felt broken in, they smelled old and the neck was smooth as silk. they sound better to somehow.

Joel
Joel
3 years ago

It does appear that Eric did get the jag. It’s definitely a flipped left hand model for sure.

Pips
Pips
3 years ago

my favorite guitar

Jason
Jason
3 years ago

Kurts actual jaguar in 2011. Fender used this photo in a teaser for his signature jag. But they cropped out the bridge pickup to hide the fact that it has a duncan jb since they used a super distortion on the signature model.

Also, according to Earnie Bailey; the jaguar was brought on the in utero tour but used only once or twice if at all. So its definitely possible that it saw the stage in late 1993. And Eric Erlandson allegedly played it live with hole a couple of times in 1994/1995.

hUoFgoY29D9wttMBMucnjk-1200-80 (1).jpg
Jason
Jason
3 years ago
Reply to  Jason

I also forgot to add that Eric most likely still owns it. Note the strap is on the bottom horn and it’s still strung right handed

Jason
Jason
3 years ago
Reply to  Jason

The bridge pickup was also most likely not damaged. Just before the in utero tour he had duncan jbs installed in most of his guitars that he was taking on tour. So it would make sense that he had one installed in his jag if he was going to take it out on tour.

Don
Don
1 year ago
Reply to  Jason

Forgive me if I’m mistaken but it might have been the Jagstang that Bailey was speaking of.

Nameless
Nameless
3 years ago

Are there any differences between Kurts Jaguar, and the Fender remake?

fouie lerris
fouie lerris
3 years ago
Reply to  Nameless

not at all, i own a fender kurt cobain jag and they are the exact same. the only difference is the strap locks. kurt cobain used Schaller guitar strap locks along with a classic white ernie ball strap. Also on the fender jaguar it features a different metal neck plate on the back, it is a fender logo designed by kurt cobain in one of his note books but this only makes the guitar better.
i hope this helps and gets added to the information on kurt cobains jaguar.
from louie

Kris
Kris
2 years ago
Reply to  fouie lerris

I really wonder if the fretboard radius is correct to Cobains original, the Mexican reissue has the 9.5” radius to match that of the tunomatic bridge. Fender did this to the J Mascis Jazzmasters also when Jay prefers the 7.25 radius.

Michael
Michael
2 years ago
Reply to  fouie lerris

What about the original Jaguar being a 7.25 Radius like the Crafted in Japan Cobain reissue? Where the new is 9.5 radius.

Joel
Joel
3 years ago
Reply to  Nameless

Not much. It plays and sound beautiful. I just finally broke down and bought one last year. Bean wanting one for years.

Poodle Noodle Soup
Poodle Noodle Soup
2 years ago
Reply to  Nameless

The neck pickup on Kurt’s is closer to the neck than the Fender rendition. Also the colour isn’t quite the same.

Rych
Rych
3 years ago

When your talking about “Jaguar on the Road” section when you said Kurt used it at Rock in Rio you put it as January 1, 1993. (That’s False)… On 01/01/93 Kurt was at the “Inn at the Market” hotel in Seattle, being Photographed by Charles Peterson and being Interview for ‘The Advocate’ a Gay and Lesbian Magazine… Which Kurt would be on the Front cover.

Nirvana was in Brazil in Mid- January 1993…. Listed below:

Nirvana played Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo (Hollywood Rock Festival), São Paulo Brazil
On January 16, 1993.

Which Kurt Mainly used a Black and White Fender Japanese Stratocaster with a Black Seymour Duncan Hotrail pickup in the bridge. And the Sunburst Telecaster which Kurt had painted the front and sides of the Tele’ Light Blue with Latex House Paint, and then Scratched a “<3” and “Courtney” Into the paint on the front, and inside the middle of the “Heart” you can see the Original Sunburst Finish… And though Kurt
Painted the Front/Sides of the Tele’ Light Blue, he left the entire back end of the guitar the original Sunburst finish.. (both of these Fenders were Smashed at this show)…

And now the “Rock in Rio” show you were talking about was at Praça da Apoteose (Hollywood Rock Festival), Rio de Janiero Brazil on January 23, 1993.

To where the Mixture of the he show Kurt was switching between the 1969 Fender Lake Placid Blue Competition Mustang with Matching Headstock & the 1965 Fender Sunburst Jaguar… (Then during the Encore when Kurt changed from his Pajamas into a Dress Kurt Used a Univox Hi-Flier Phase 2 for the Encore).

Rych
Rych
3 years ago
Reply to  Dan Kopilovic

No Problem… I’m like a Human Cobain Biography. I know like everything there is to know about him from his Songs, to Artwork, to his clothes, to Nirvana concerts, to his Gear. I know it all, and it just comes Naturally to me.

Pips
Pips
3 years ago
Reply to  Rych

dont brag

John B Goode
John B Goode
1 year ago
Reply to  Rych

Can you guess what Kurt felt about over obsessed nerd fans!
Pretty sure he would have said
get a life and do something original.

Bassman
Bassman
3 years ago

Kurt’s modded Jaguar also had a strap pin in the short horn. This hints that it may have been used by a right-handed player at some point. However, in the old Martin Jenner/Cliff Richard Christmas performance, Jenner (playing left-handed) has his shoulder strap attached to the short horn.