Exhibit Kurt Cobain's acoustic guitar in the United Kingdom for the first time on display
Kurt Cobain's Iconic Martin D-18E Guitar to Go on Display in UK
For the first time in the UK, the Martin D-18E acoustic guitar made famous by the late Kurt Cobain during Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance in 1993 will be exhibited at the Royal College of Music Museum as part of the Kurt Cobain: Unplugged exhibition[2][3][5].
The exhibition, curated by Alan di Perna and Gabriele Rossi Rognoni, delves into the story behind Cobain's guitar and the significance of the MTV Unplugged performance. The exhibition runs from 3 June until 18 November 2025[1].
The Martin D-18E, modified for Cobain's left-handed playing style, is a rare model and one of the earliest Martins fitted with electric pickups. It became the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction when it was bought for over $6 million by Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman[1][2][3].
The exhibit features not only the guitar but also Cobain's olive-green mohair cardigan worn during the 1993 Unplugged performance, as well as Nirvana's memorabilia, song-writing materials, gig posters, collectible vinyl, and a portion of a soundboard from another guitar from the same series[1].
Following Cobain's death in 1994, the guitar was inherited by his daughter, Frances Bean Cobain. However, it was lost in a divorce settlement to her former husband Isaiah Silva before it went on auction[1].
The MTV Unplugged set in 1993 was the first to be recorded in one take. Dave Grohl, reflecting on the performance, said in an interview that it was supposed to be a disaster but became one of the band's most memorable performances[1]. According to Courtney Love, quoted in Billboard, the Martin D-18E was the last guitar Cobain ever played[1].
Peter Freedman, the current owner of the guitar, intends to take it on a worldwide exhibition tour to support performing artists[1]. Visitors to the Royal College of Music Museum will have the opportunity to engage with this deeply significant rock history artifact, exploring its role in the MTV Unplugged performance and wider cultural impact[1].
Tickets for the Kurt Cobain: Unplugged exhibition are available to book on 30 April[1]. Don't miss your chance to witness this iconic piece of music history.
[1] The Guardian [2] Billboard [3] NME [4] Rolling Stone [5] Pitchfork
- The exhibit at the Royal College of Music Museum, titled Kurt Cobain: Unplugged, showcases pop-culture artifacts such as Cobain's iconic Martin D-18E guitar, which is significant in both music history and entertainment.
- The Martin D-18E guitar, famously played by Kurt Cobain during Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance in 1993, is part of a wider display that includes celebrities' memorabilia, highlighting its impact on pop-culture and music.
