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History of Kurt Cobain's TOM Strat: The Frankenstrat of Grunge | Nirvana Guitar History Episode 9

NirvanaGuitars

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Extensive deep dive into Kurt Cobain's uniquely modded tune-o-matic Fender Stratocaster. The only electric guitar we have concrete definitive proof as to have been used on Nevermind

TOM Strat Sound Demo: The Nevermind Stratocaster | Kurt Cobain T...

MASSIVE shoutout to ‪@pennsy77‬ for being a huge source of the information seen in this video!

Also big thank you to LiveNirvana.com and the “NIRVANA GUITARS AND GEAR!” facebook group!
LiveNirvana: https://www.livenirvana.com/
NIRVANA GUITARS AND GEAR: Facebook: Z81Zrgca8azBuGPA

0:15 - The Frankenstrat of grunge?
1:50 - Model possibility
2:16 - First form - Early 91
2:56 - The mystery humbucker
4:59 - Nevermind recording sessions
6:25 - Second form - mid 91
8:18 - My TOM Strat build
9:25 - Fall 91 Nevermind tour
11:05 - Third form - mid 92
12:06 - Present day

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20 Comments

@feliperamirez4308 1 year ago

We now need NirvanaBassGuitars

@PulseXP-yo8wu 1 year ago

Watching this on work break. With fish and chips

@pennsy77 1 year ago

Sorry I wasnt present for the premier! Was doing some other things. This video turned out amazing, I am so glad to have helped with this Eric!

@goosefuzzz 9 months ago

Eric, check out the Nirvana subreddit. A guy there thinks he has the snapped off headstock of the TOM strat from Chicago.

@ColinWardlaw-o5p 3 months ago

I love you’re videos Nirvana all day long 🤘🏻

@rowboat0012 1 year ago

You should totally do a Mr. Moustache cover with the L&L tone :D I’ve always wondered what it would sound like if it was part of the setlist

@TaiFlurfy1 1 year ago (edited)

TOM STRAT!!! I love that awesome pickup mounting ring on. Great vid Eric!!! <3

@Three-Flame 1 year ago

one reason why you should modify a Gibson-style bridge (TOM or wrap tail) is that it has a higher tension towards the bottom of the strumming hand. tremolos have a much softer break angle on the strings, whereas a TOM bridge specifically makes it feel stiffer and adds a bit more acoustic characteristics, including a fuller sound, or at least it can feel that way. it's part of what makes a Les Paul such a big-sounding guitar. in fact, you can hear the difference between a Floyd Rose Les Paul and a traditional one. The Floyd version always sounds thinner, or weaker in comparison. I must give some real credit to Kurt here, with a reverse approach of trying to essentially use haptics for a fuller sound.

@Daniel.S-007 1 year ago

Hi Eric 😁
I shared your video about T.O.M. stratocast and I started looking for when it was destroyed. in your video you showed two photos taken by a guitar technician, which he allegedly took in June 1992, but according to me, this guitar was destroyed on July 4, 1992, thanks to several preserved photos .😁 sorry if there are spelling mistakes in the text, I wrote it via google translator.

@jackelofnar 4 months ago

Something I got but maybe it's just me. Kurt on all mustangs he played live had the top of the switch removed yet on a stratocaster its so easy to hit the volume while just playing normally

@bobhope4949 1 year ago (edited)

I know why he used it, he wanted a stable live guitar where he wouldn’t have to fuck with tone too much and be good to go

@StereotoneGlasgow 1 year ago

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH YOU’RE ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I STARTED PLAYING GUITAR!!! YOU’RE SO COOL!1!1!1!1

@jmelara324 1 year ago

I kind of like how it’s basically the anthithesis to the superstrat and hair metal or whatever and Grunge’s answer to the Frankenstrat

@andyandersonsylvester8533 1 year ago (edited)

Based on Polaroid Picture taken by Big John, i guessed that TOM Strat were smashed during Le Zenith gig on June 1992..

@BenjaminJamesTaylor-j3y 4 months ago

What about the Fender Comp Mustang (SLTS) and the Kay P4 (CAYA)

@monkist 1 year ago

Love this “History of” series you started recently. Would love to see one on each of his most prominent guitars! The Competition Mustang and the Jaguar of course, but what fascinates me maybe even more are the Univoxes. Keep them coming!

@AidenSalas-l3n 10 months ago (edited)

As an owner of a strat with a TOM. They really do sound better. Even with the flat 1mm shim it has more sustain and is the loudest unplugged electric I own

@MikeWasHere_Official 1 year ago

Wow amazing work man keep it up and also please do the history of the Fender Jaguar 🙏🏽

@loungeact1212 1 year ago

Damn dude great job on this! This is one of the trickier mods to do at home without a drill press. The holes need to be precise.

@kole_the_kreature 1 year ago

you should make videos where you use setups of nirvana shows and play songs that weren’t played at those shows, like In Bloom with a Paramount setup or Territorial Pissings with a Live & Loud setup