"Superstar Guitars presents the most famous six-strings in music history in exquisite detail": Hendrix's Woodstock Strat, Kurt Cobain's Mustang, the Exile On Mainstream Burst and other iconic guitars are presented in a stunning new book

Some of the most famous guitars in the world, including Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock Strat and Kurt Cobain's Mustang are documented in a forthcoming book by renowned music photographer Eleanor Jane.

“Superstar Guitars,” out September 12 from Headline Publishing, features some of the most important guitars in music history—and they’ve never looked better.

If you've read a guitar magazine in the last few years, you'll be familiar with Jane's work. She's photographed the biggest names in music and also photographed their instruments.

Superstar Guitars features an introduction by James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers and, judging by the preview we were shown, some of the most beautiful electric guitar photography you've ever seen.

Is there a more impressive example of a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard than the Burst that was passed between Keith Richards and Mick Taylor when the Rolling Stones played Exile On Main Street? That's debatable. But if there is one, it's probably in this book.

Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa, photographed by Eleanor Jane – there will definitely be something from Nerdville in the book. (Photo credit: Eleanor Jane)

The amber luster of the finish has remained undiminished even after a turbulent life on the road as one of Taylor's preferred instruments on the Stones' 1972 US tour.

Less sophisticated, more functional, but just as cool and arguably of greater cultural significance, we have Kurt Cobain's Fender Mustang. A guitar for students. Supposedly a cheap electric guitar, or at least affordable. It's the 1969 Mustang in Competition Blue that Cobain used in the early '90s to reorient pop music with Nirvana.

You could go to ATB Guitars right now and buy one of these 24-inch short-scale bangers – same year, same finish – for £6,995.

It is a testament to its historical significance that Cobain's Mustang, made famous by the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video, was sold at auction in June 2022 for $4.5 million (before fees). The buyer was Jim Irsay, owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts and a major guitar collector. The Mustang officially became the most expensive guitar in the world. A student model.

Typical of Jane's approach, when she visited Indianapolis to film Cobain's Mustang, she designed the set to match the aesthetic of director Samuel Bayer's video “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

We'd like to think she dipped a headband in brown acid and wore it while photographing Jimi Hendrix's Fender Stratocaster at his 1969 Woodstock performance. But you'll have to buy the book to find out.

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Official Music Video) – YouTube

Watch on

Other guitars featured in the book include those by artists such as Dave Grohl, Jason Isbell, Woody Guthrie, Noel Gallagher, Matt Bellamy, John Frusciante, Tom Morello, Phoebe Bridgers, Kirk Hammett, Brian May, Howlin' Wolf, Mick Taylor, Keith Richards, Steve Vai and more.

The Strat behind the Electric Dylan mumbo jumbo in Newport? That's there too.

Superstar guitars