Martin's Six Million Dollar Guitar

Six Million Dollar Man

Six Million Dollars for a 1959 Martin guitar! Unbelievable!! But it is true.

 

Kurt Cobain on MTV 1994

In 1959 one could have purchased a brand-new Martin D-18e guitar for $235. A regular Martin D-18 had a retail price of $175. The deluxe hard-shell case was $22.00. 

The sixty-dollar difference was considered an upgrade for the addition of two DeArmond pickups and wiring. 

Piezo technology was invented in the late 1800’s it was not used on a guitar until the early 1970’s. Early players were confined to either using a microphone or an electro-magnetic pickup. 

Rowe DeArmond Pickup 

The Rowe-DeArmond Company of Toledo, Ohio was the best quality source for many of these guitar pickups. 

In early 1992 Kurt Cobain purchased a 1959 D-18E from Voltage Guitars in Los Angeles.  Even then it was a significant purchase as it cost $5,000. This was the guitar he famously played during Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance, a moment that's now etched in rock history. 

6 Million Dollar Guitar

On November 18th of 2024 that Martin acoustic-electric guitar went on to sell for a record-breaking $6 million at auction. Kurt’s guitar, serial number 155864, was just number 7 out of 302 that were manufactured in 1959  according to Julien’s Auction House. 

This guitar originally came equipped with two DeArmond pickups. However given Kurt’s guitar string preference, those stock DeArmond pickups didn’t sound very good with bronze-wound strings that Kurt was using, He fitted this guitar with an additional Bartolini 3AV sound hole pickup – which Kurt already tried out on his Epiphone Texan. 

Cobain On MTV

After Kurt’s passing, it seems that the guitar ended up with his daughter, Francis Bean. She kept it at the secret vault in Seattle, together with the rest of Kurt’s belongings. 

According to TMZ, in 2018, the guitar ended up with Isaiah Silva, Francis’ ex-husband, as a part of the divorce settlement agreement. 

Soon after, it was auctioned through Julien’s, and ended up with RODE Microphones founder, Peter Freedman. The final price was $6 million, which makes this guitar the most expensive guitar ever sold through auction at the time of writing this. What I find fascinating is the actual purchase price was $6,010,000. This meant someone else possibly bid six million dollars and that price was beat!  

Royal College of Music

The Cobain Martin D-18e guitar will join the RCM Museum’s extraordinary collection, which includes what is believed to be the oldest surviving guitar in existence, made in 1581 in Lisbon by luthier Belchior Dias. 

The Royal College of Music has also confirmed that Cobain’s D-18E will anchor a new international touring exhibition planned for 2026, following the success of Kurt Cobain: Unplugged, an in-house exhibition that drew more than 15,000 visitors.

1959 D-18E

I was surprised that many players were unaware the C.F. Martin company at one time offered a small series of electric guitars. 

1959 D-28E

The original instruments were the D-18E, the D-28E and the 00-18E, and were traditional Martin acoustic guitars that came with added single coil electric pickups, wiring, a selector switch, and volume/tone controls on the instrument's lower bout.

D-28E wiring

The D-18E and the D-28E both bore two chrome sided pickups which were typical of the day with large polepieces on one side and smaller ones on the other. These were replete with twin volume and twin tone knobs and a three-way pickup control switch on the top upper bout.

The pickguard needed to be cut to maintain the pickup rings.

1959 O-18E

The 00-18E had only one similar DeArmond that was mounted at the bottom of the neck. There was a single volume and tone controls for this model.

All of these guitars had the same accoutrements as their acoustic cousins. All had a spruce top. The D-18E and the 00-18E had mahogany back and sides and the D-28E had rosewood back and sides. The D-28E had gold plated Grover Roto tuners.

In reviewing these guitars I am shocked to learn the current asking prices are between $25,000 and $50,000 for these vintage instruments.

Besides the pickups the biggest difference between the electric and acoustic models of this series was, due to the pickups mounting, the electrics were made with transverse bracing on the top. This changed the sound when the guitar was played acoustically. Subsequently they sound thinner than a typical X braced Martin.

Although Martin guitars did not become expensive until around 1973, electric guitar pickups that are screwed into a Martin acoustic guitar and holes drilled into the top along with ladder bracing. 

Tracy Chapman - 1988

Besides Curt Kobain, the only other artist I recall using a similar Martin electric instrument was Tracy Chapman when she first became famous. She owned a 1958 or '59 Martin D-18E.

The D-18E was discontinued within a year. The D-28E and the 00-18E were produced through 1964. 

If not for the provenance of this D-18E being associated with Curt Kobain, this guitar would certainly not be worth Six Million Dollars.

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Fourth Of July Guitars

 

Declaration of Independence

Today is July 4th, 2026. The Declaration of Independence was written on this day, 250 years ago, when the brave men that founded the United States agreed that it was time to quit being subjects of the English King George and begin an adventure as an independent nation. 

Now that is an oversimplification, but that is the basics. Right now, the political climate is a right mess. And that is sad for a man such as myself, in my seventh decade, who has seen days when the country was more united and stable. A life that my children and grandchildren will not experience, 

But I digress since this is all about guitars, and today we are exploring the Patriotic guitars that I remember. 

Martin D-76

The first is Martin’s D-76. This was a limited run of 1776 instruments issued in 1976 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the United States of America. That was a big year that included a lot of celebrations. These rare instruments were built to commemorate America’s Bicentennial, with deluxe appointments and a gorgeous fit and finish. These instruments are known for their stunning projection and a perfect blend of sound. This guitar is equipped with 13 stars inlaid on the fingerboard and a mother-of-pearl eagle etched into the headstock. 

Buck Owens' Mosrite

Next is Buck Owens’ original Red, White, and blue guitar that was custom built by Semie Mosely of Mosrite Guitars. Buck’s instrument was custom built in 1966. His guitar had three stars adorning the blue headstock, and a distinctive body that was Red, White, and Blue. He used this guitar extensively on Hee Haw. 

Harmony H169

Buck was a savvy businessman and saw the potential market for his guitar. He signed up with the Harmony Company of Chicago to build a similar instrument, the H169 model aka the Buck Owens American. This guitar was based on the company’s Sovereign guitar. It was also marketed for Sears as the Silvertone model 1219L. It sold for $82.50. Buck Owens received $2.50 for every unit sold. 

Buck with RWB Telecaster

As Buck was a Fender endorser, Fender made a Red, White, and Blue Telecaster for him to play on Hee Haw. This instrument came with a Red, White, and Blue sparkle paint job, and a gold-tone pickguard and control plate. The neck was maple capped.

Gibson USA Map Guita

In 1984 Gibson offered a United States Map guitar that had a body shaped like a map of the contiguous states of America, only nine of which came in a stars-and-stripes finish. 

Mosrite Salesman Guitar

In 1965 Semie Mosely created a Red, White, and Blue Ventures model for his sales staff to take to potential buyers at music stores. This was meant to be an example of the different finish options the company offered. Potential buyers wanted this option. These guitars are scarce as only 90 were made, but Bob Shade at Hallmark Guitars offers the Custom 60 with this same finish.

Wayne Campbell's Strat

Fender created a Red, White, and Blue Stratocaster for endorser Wayne Kramer of MC5. Kramer built his own instrument by modifying a white Stratocaster that he painted red stripes on and then painted the pickguard blue with white stars. 

He did this in the late 1960’s as a protest to the Vietnam War. 

Fender Wayne Kramer

Fender ran with the idea and still offers a Wayne Kramer Stratocaster.  

Toby Keith's Takamine Guitar

Toby Keith's iconic American flag Takamine guitar was custom-built in collaboration with the Ovation Guitar factory in New Hartford, Connecticut. Designed alongside his longtime guitar tech, Ripp Mayes, only 4 of these exact patriotic guitars were ever produced.  

The instrument debuted at the 2002 CMA Awards alongside his hit anthem, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue", and remained a staple of his live performances. Takamine's standard signature model based on his preferred jumbo shape is the EF250TK. 

LTD 1976 Firebird III

In 1976, the Gibson Guitar Company offered a beautiful version of their Firebird III guitar that featured a stylized eagle design on the top portion of the pickguard. 

1976 Firebird III LTD

These guitars came with two mini-humbucking pickups enclosed with gold-plated covers. The tune-o-matic bridge, stop bar tailpiece, and banjo style tuners were all gold plated. This guitar was offered with a variety of finish options. 

Happy Independence Day

Regardless of you political affiliation, I hope you all have a wonderful July 4th and keep the spirit of the day.

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Holly Mack, Daughter of Lonnie Mack Passes Away

 

Facebook

I find it amazing and I am honored by the number of friendships I have through social media. A few of these folks are with well-known people, generally musicians, that I had seen in concerts, and purchased their records when I was a much younger man. All are sweet, honest, approachable people that seem to take interest in my reminiscence of those earlier days. 

I have developed a special friendship with a handful of these folks. I am not going to be pretentious and drop names. Although I will mention this young lady that I befriended.

Lonnie Mack

In 2016 I wrote a blog article about Lonnie Mack. His music was very special to me during the days when I began playing guitar. 

The Wham of that Memphis Man

At age 12 I purchased his LP, “The Wham of that Memphis Man”, and slowed the turntable to half speed so I could pick up each line of what Lonnie was playing (only it was an octave lower). I learned to play guitar, note for note this way. And I was able to learn Memphis, and most of Wham. 

The Jockey Club

Back in the mid 1960’s there was a local night spot called The Jockey Club in Newport, Kentucky. It opened on Sunday afternoons for teen dances. As a 13-year-old kid I had the pleasure of seeing Lonnie Mack and his band play there. Lonnie made his home in nearby Southern Indiana. 

Fraternity Records

Lonnie's first recordings were done on Fraternity Records based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The actual studio was at King Records in Cincinnati.  Lonnie worked there  as a session player. When one act that he played guitar for was done, they still had 20 minutes left, Lonnie and his band used that time to cut some tracks.  These tracks became Lonnie's first recording.

Lonnie Mack Band 1963

While he was hustling gigs on the road, this album made it to number 4 on the R&B billboard charts. Guitar players from all over the world purchased this record and began to take notice his style. 

Lonnie said didn't listen to the radio, he just played clubs from Cincinnati to Miami and was unaware that he was becoming famous until a DJ told him his record was climbing to number one. 

Lonnie died of natural causes on April 21, 2016.

Holly Mack

About five years ago I met Lonnie’s daughter, Holly Mack, on Facebook, and struck up a friendship with her. She set me straight on a few points regarding her father’s history. 

Lonnie with #7

Holly had become the keeper of all things Lonnie Mack. She owned his iconic Gibson 1959 Flying Vee, serial number 007, or as Lonnie called it “Number 7”. Holly also owned his original Magnatone amplifier. The “True-Vibrato” on that gave Lonnie his unique tone. She was the proud owner of Flying V Music publishing company, and Flying V Records.

Lonnie with Great Grandson
and daughter, Holly

I found myself fortunate to write back and forth to Holly. So, I was devastated to learn that she passed away this past Monday, June 22nd. I knew Holly was facing some health problems. But she did not talk about them. She had cancer. 

Holly passed away at 12:31 pm at her home. 

Holly and Lonnie Mack

Holly Mack was beloved by many folks, especially those that knew her and lived in Nashville, where she made her home. She was only 56 years old, a wife, mother, and grandmother. Her biggest heartache in life was the loss of her son, James Featherman III.  

Holly Mack Obituary

Holly Christine McIntosh Featherman's life was a testament to love, resilience, and kindness. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the hearts of those she touched. I personally will miss her sassy attitude, humor, and knowledge. 

She must have known her end was near. Her last Facebook post was done on Father's Day, June 16, 2026. She said, "See ya soon Dad. Happy Rockin Father's Day Asshole. LOL".  May her memory live on and not be forgotten.

©UniqueGuitar Publications (text only) 2026

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God speed Holly. May you Rest In Peace.

Dean Guitars

 

Young Dean Zelinsky

Dean Guitars are perhaps one of the most interesting guitar stories that I have run across in the past 16 years that I have been writing these articles. The company was started by Dean Zelinsky while he was still a teenager. 

His father, Robert Zelinsky, owned a company that manufactured custom industrial fasteners. When young Dean was only 12 years old his father was killed in a plane accident. 

Dean had always been curious about how things work. He took apart radios, he even took apart a Gibson Flying Vee guitar and sawed it in half, hoping to make a better instrument. 

Young Dean Zelinsky

After graduating from high school, Zelinsky got a job at local Chicago music stores repairing guitars and doing custom paint jobs. He had toured Gibson’s Kalamazoo factory and learned what he could about their process for building electric guitars. 

Matt Lynn

In 1977 Dean started his own company building custom guitars. His first model was called ML. The initials were a tribute to his best friend, Matt Lynn, who had passed away from cancer when both were in high school. 

Dean ML Guitar

This unique instrument combined the sharp lines of a Flying Vee and an Explorer. A number of well-known Rock and Metal players soon took up this instrument as their choice on stage. 

ZZ Top Dean Guitars

Dean continued to build custom guitars for artists, such as the spinning fuzzy guitar and bass used by ZZ Top. Zelinsky also created a V shaped guitar, and what he called a Z shaped guitar, that was based on a Gibson Explorer. Both instruments had the Dean unique headstock. 

Dean Zelinsky

Dean Zelinsky was only 20 years old when he started his company. Through his dealings with music stores, and well-known artists he became adapt at marketing his instruments. 

2004 Dean NAMM Booth

Within a year at age 21 People Magazine did a story about him. To promote his guitars at NAMM shows, Zelinsky hired Playboy models to hang out at his booth. 

In 2008 Zelinsky left Dean Guitars. By then corporate advisors had entered the scene, and Dean felt he could no longer be in control. 

Dean and Suzi Zelinsky

He sold his company, married a Playboy model, and had a family. He left to spend more time at home. 

Elliot Robinson

The corporate take-over began way back in 1997 when the Dean brand was sold to a Florida businessman named Elliot Robinson. In his younger days he played bass guitaf for Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, and Michael Angelo Batio. His company was called Armadillo Enterprises. The headquarters was moved to Florida, and Robinson recruited several artists to play Dean Guitar. 

Dimebag Darrell Abbott

These artists included Dimebag Darrell, Leslie West, and Dave Mustaine. 

After a 3 year absence, Zelinsky returned as a consultant in 2000 to design new instruments. Most notably was the “Razorback” guitar played by Dimebag Darrell Abbott. 

Evan Robinson (left)

In 2017, Robinson unexpectedly passed away. Control of the company went to his son Evan. 

In preceding years, Dean continued to produce guitars in the USA, carving out a niche among the heavy metal guitar community, and diversifying into Asian-made budget instruments. 

Gibson vs Armadillo

In 2019 Gibson Guitar filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Armadillo Enterprises/Dean Guitar inferring they had used Gibson’s proprietary shapes (the Vee, the SG, and the Explorer). In 2022 the court found in favor of Gibson, however Dean continued producing and selling these instruments. 

Dean Guitars were found in contempt and ordered to pay $4,000 in damages, and the entire cost of Gibson’s legal fees, which amounted to well over $100,000. 

Dimebag Estate vs Armadillo

More legal problems occurred in 2021 when the estate of Dimebag Darrell sued Armadillo Enterprises for using the Razorback logo. 

Evan Robinson left the company in 2022 leaving his mother in charge.  

By 2023 Dean Guitars had a debt of 4 million dollars and filed for foreclosure. 

Dean Files Bankruptcy

Recently Dean Guitars filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The current owner is Pamela Keris-Robinson, mother of Evan. 

Chapter 11 allows the company to create a plan for restructuring and settlement of its debts. You may recall Gibson Guitars, and Guitar Center filed for Chapter 11, and came back stronger. Dean Guitar sent a letter out to its dealers advising them that orders are being fulfilled and the company is sill in business.

Dean Zelinsky Private Label

As for Dean Zelinsky, in April of 2012 he launched Dean Zelinsky Private Label Guitars. These are custom boutique instruments made in the USA.  

These are beautiful, well designed instruments, with remarkable features including the Z-Glide neck, and custom pickups. Price range is $2,200 to $7,000.

©UniqueGuitar Publications (text only) 2026

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