News & Press

SAM is returning to the Promax Conference and Station Summit this June, and we’ll be bringing – and giving away – some really cool, iconic guitars. This year’s we are doing “Grunge Guitar Giveaways,” which feature unique replicas of guitars popularized during the ‘90s grunge movement, including those played by Sonic Youth and Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain.

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The 2019 Promax Conference

1960’s Fender Jazzmaster Replica

Introduced in 1958, following the success of the Telecaster & Stratocaster models, the Jazzmaster was targeted at jazz players with its warm tone, unusual switching features and “offset waist” body, which made it more comfortable for “jazzers” to sit while playing. But instead of jazz, it became a favorite in the ‘60s surf guitar scene. This model faded in the hard rock ’70s, but re-appeared in the ‘90s Seattle grunge movement when played by Sonic Youth and Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain (see above). This Jazzmaster has been upgraded with original Jazzmaster pickups from the ‘60s.

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Promax Station Summit

1960s Kurt Cobain Fender Mustang Replica

Originally designed as a notch down from the Telecaster and Stratocaster models, the Mustang evolved from the student series Fender Duosonic and Musicmaster guitars of the ‘50s. Featuring twin pickups, they were entry level guitars for many budding rockers in the ‘60s and ‘70s (a 1965 Fender Mustang was Stephen Arnold’s first “real” rock guitar in the late ‘60s). They really took off; however, when Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and Mark Arm of Mudhoney started using them in the Seattle grunge scene of the ‘90s. Today, they are prized symbols of the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.

1960s Fender Jazzmaster Replica

Introduced in 1958, following the success of the Telecaster & Stratocaster models, the Jazzmaster was targeted at jazz players with its warmer tone, unusual switching features and its “offset waist” body, which made it more comfortable for jazzers to sit while playing. But instead of jazz, it became a favorite in the 60s surf guitar scene. This model faded in the hard rock ‘70s, but re-appeared in the ‘90s Seattle grunge movement, and was played by Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and the band Sonic Youth. Many of these guitars were completely rewired or had custom pickups, necks, etc.

1960s Fender Jaguar Replica

Named after the infamous Jaguar E-type sports car, the Jaguar was introduced in 1962 by maker Leo Fender as Fender’s top-of-the-line model, and the last he ever designed before he sold the company to CBS. Its popularity, however, was dampened by the Gretsches & Rickenbackers of the ‘60s British invasion, then by the Gibsons, Strats and Telecasters of the hard-rock ‘70s. It was discontinued in 1975 but revived when Cobain and others started cranking out grunge rock in the ‘90s.

1970s Univox Hi-Flier

This vintage, 1970s Hi-Flier model is from Stephen Arnold’s personal collection. It was designed to copy Mosrite guitars, favored by the surf group The Ventures and is instantly recognizable by its tilted neck pickup. After many mods through the ‘70s, the guitar went out of production in the early ‘80s, but was revived in the ‘90s grunge rock scene in Seattle. Since these weren’t expensive instruments, Cobain would sometimes destroy them at the end of a gig. The nicks and chips on this particular guitar are worn with pride.