Kurt Cobain's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" guitar expected to fetch up to $800,000 at auction

The iconic blue guitar played by late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain will be publicly auctioned for the first time in April. The Fender Mustang electric guitar made its debut in the music video for Nirvana's hit song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and gained attention as the band's fame skyrocketed. 

For the past 12 years, it has been on display at Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture. Now, it will be sold by Julien's Auctions, the auction house said in a statement. The 1969 Fender Mustang left-handed guitar in Competition Lake Placid blue finish is expected to sell for between $600,000 to $800,000. The three-day auction event, which also includes other items, will take place from May 20 to May 22.  

"Julien's Auctions is proud to present the electric guitar that changed music and the world–one of the most important and iconic guitars owned and played by Kurt Cobain that will ever be sold at auction," the auction house said Monday.