OpenTube

Kurt Cobain's Vandalism Strat: History of The Most Dangerous Guitar | Nirvana Guitar History Ep 8

NirvanaGuitars

166,215 views

Celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Nirvana's beloved Reading 91 performance by taking a deep dive into the guitar Kurt Cobain used at that show. One of the most famous Fender Stratocasters of all time: the Vandalism Strat

Historic analysis of Kurt's strat, followed by a breakdown of my time period accurate Vandalism Strat build

TIME STAMPS
0:00 - Legacy of the Fender Stratocaster
2:12 - The Nevermind Sessions
3:55 - First Form
5:43 - Sticker Origin
8:19 - Second Form
9:39 - Third & Final Form
11:11 - Present Day Vandalism Strat
13:02 - My Vandalism Strat Build

Join my Patreon to get early & exclusive content:
Patreon: NirvanaGuitars

Like what I do? Buy me a coffee so I can stay awake while I mix audio and edit videos 😴
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/nirvanag...

My amazon storefront where you can buy gear/parts Kurt used: https://www.amazon.com/shop/nirvanagu...

Vandalism Strat Stickers - use coupon code "nirvanaguitars" to get 2 for the price of 1:
https://khristore.com/product/kurt-co...

Follow me on instagram at @nirvanaguitars
Check out my progressive punk band at ithomiid.com
Check out my acoustic project at facebook.com/atlasmn

20 Comments

@--thatbih 2 years ago (edited)

One of the most iconic rock guitars of all time yet only lasted about 6 months. The lore behind this guitar alone is insane

Edit: I know I'm 2 months late but and this maybe unnecessary but I believe Vandy returned the second time a few days earlier in Texas on Oct 21st 91. Although there isn't many pictures or any video of that show, there is an audience recording on YouTube. If you listen closely after Teen Spirit he switches to another guitar for About A Girl. I am almost 100% sure it's Vandy as it sounds very similar to Paramount. It couldn't be the mustang as it was smashed two days prior and not the Tom strat as that was smashed in Chicago a week prior.

@Justin-hb6cg 2 years ago (edited)

If he played that Strat anywhere in England today, he would be arrested and processed in record time.

@theshadowgovernment_ 2 years ago

its like every new kurt guitar replica of yours is better than the last

@fuzzcous 2 years ago

'Vandalism as beautiful as a rock in a cops face' is a verse from Feederz song Gut Rage.
Interesting video

@hammercityaudio 2 years ago (edited)

Your attention to detail is absolutely insane. Mad respect. Love the channel!

@sector800 2 years ago (edited)

YES!!! Finally a history video of my favourite Kurt strat can’t wait!!!!😮

Edit: After watching the premiere WOW just WOW I love the amount of research and effort that goes into these videos is amazing I’ll always stand by the live at the paramount look of this guitar but the 91 reading look is very nice also, love your new vandalism strat I love how you’re starting to use the vintage parts to make these guitars accurate, only thing I wish was in this video is a sound demo but I think it deserves a full video for that keep it up!

@mountain-roots 11 months ago

My son is building one now for his 14th birthday. I just need to learn to appreciate his full efforts! Stellar channel we talked about you at the local shop her in Pahoa.

@spidermanfan.3161 2 years ago

A WHOLE VIDEO OF MY FAV GUITAR VANDY?
hohohohoh Eric man I could hug you!

you know well that I love vandy and that you did a video all about her after my b-day man

You’re the man bro!

@chadotto6275 2 years ago

I am 19 miles away from Aberdeen Washington 💯

@kurdtcobain1967 3 months ago

i built a vandalism strat recently out of a $200 squier strat, and it’s my new favorite guitar that i own

@0r1el_1 1 month ago

Awesome to know that the vandalism strat with the sticker made its debut on my birthday

@MilesTippett 2 years ago

Billy Corgan's bat strat is pretty Iconic as well.

@thenugographer 2 years ago

Wow! The history of the sticker’s origin is as rad as the sticker itself! Excellent work

@shnsltr6853 2 years ago

I used to own a lefty 86' Squier ST-362 Strat that was pretty much identical to Kurt's VMA Strat. Excellent guitar! Those old Fujigen made Fenders are hard to beat.

@LEADERYELIAN 2 years ago

Bro I remember 2 years ago I used to watch your vids on the way to school keep up the good work🎸

@rutger51 2 years ago

Love❤ Good video!

@PrestonHazard 1 year ago (edited)

I'm not even the biggest Nirvana fan, but man what you are doing on this channel is so unbelievably important to not just music, but cultural history in general. Plus for some reason these videos are super relaxing and put me in a good mood. I absolutely love it!

Edit: Many of the photos you showed in this video are extremely high resolution for standard 35mm film. Especially the ones at 7:45. Do you have any idea what cameras might have been used to photograph that particular show? Even my Leica 35mm couldn't produce an image of that quality, even in perfect light. I'm wondering if they used a medium format camera or something.

@musicalmiscellany 2 years ago

Man. I would've loved to have this research back in 1995. I remember my friend Scott and I sitting in his mom's basement pouring over photos and videos fro Nirvana performances trying to figure out if the Vandalism strat was a Fernandes with a Fender neck or a Fender with a Fernandes neck. This video clarified a 30 year old question. Thanks.