'Nevermind' tour guitar is going to be auctioned

LONDON, UK (Nirvana Fans/EBay/Cooperowen Websites) - A guitar once played by Nirvana's Kurt Cobain is up for auction in the U.K., with a starting price of 8,000 British Pounds Sterling (almost $13,000).

The late musician's black left-handed Fender Stratocaster electric guitar is being sold by the British auction house Cooper Owen. The auction is scheduled for February 20 at the company's gallery in London.

The instrument is listed as sale 2077, lot 48, and described as "Used by Kurt during Nirvana's ground breaking Nevermind Tour, he is seen playing it on stage in the Rolling Stone book Cobain. The guitar comprises a black Japanese Fender body with long scratches on the front and back, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, and maple Kramer neck.

Some damage to the guitar is also stated, with additional auction notes mentioning that Cobain "favored Japanese Strats, as they were easily available and inexpensive, and most were destroyed or damaged during band performances." The sale also includes a copy of the book Cobain, and a letter from Danny Mangold, who supplied guitars to Nirvana and was a friend of the band--Dave Grohl, currently fronting Foo Fighters, gave him his car as a gift.

Bids for the guitar may be made on Ebay on the auction date, but bidders are advised to pre-register on the company's website (cooperowen.com). The instrument is expected to bring as much as 10,000 British pounds (more than $16,000).