Kraftwerk Co-Founder's Legendary Equipment Head to American Sale

As a pioneer in the electronic genre and his ensemble Kraftwerk transformed popular music and impacting performers from David Bowie and New Order to Coldplay and Run-DMC.

Currently, his synth gear along with devices employed by Schneider to create Kraftwerk's iconic tracks in the 1970s and 1980s are estimated to earn hundreds of thousands of dollars during the upcoming sale in a November auction.

Exclusive Preview for Unreleased Individual Composition

Recordings for a solo project he had been creating shortly before his death after a cancer diagnosis aged 73 back in 2020 can be heard initially in a video promoting the sale.

Wide Array from His Possessions

In addition to his portable synth, the wooden flute and his vocoders – utilized by him creating mechanical-sounding vocals – fans can try to acquire approximately 500 his personal effects at the auction.

Among them are his collection exceeding 100 wind and brass items, many instant photos, his shades, the ID for his travels through the late '70s plus his custom van, painted in a gray hue.

His Panasonic Panaracer bicycle, featured in Kraftwerk’s Tour de France music video and shown on the single’s artwork, will also go under the hammer on 19 November.

Auction Details

The approximate sum of the sale ranges from $450,000 to $650,000.

They were innovators – as pioneers with electronic gear crafting compositions entirely new to listeners.

Additional artists viewed their songs astonishing. They suddenly discovered a fresh route in music pioneered by the band. It encouraged many acts to explore of using synthesised electronic music.

Notable Pieces

• One voice modulator probably employed by the band for recordings from the late '70s and Computer World in 1981 could fetch a high estimate.
• A suitcase synthesizer likely utilized on Kraftwerk’s 1974 album the famous record is appraised for $15,000 to $20,000.
• The flute, a specific model played by him alongside electronic gear through the early '70s, carries an estimate of up to five figures.

Distinctive Objects

Among the lowest-priced items, an assortment of nearly 100 instant photos he captured showing his musical tools is on sale for $100 to $200.

Additional unique items, like a clear, bright yellow acrylic guitar and a “very unique” insect replica, which was mounted in his workspace, have estimates of $200–$400.

His framed eyewear with green lenses along with instant photos featuring the glasses are estimated at $300–$500.

Family’s Words

He always believed that instruments should be used and circulated – not sitting idle or remaining untouched. He wanted his instruments to go to enthusiasts who appreciate them: musicians, collectors and fans by the art of sound.

Lasting Influence

Recalling the band's impact, an influential artist stated: Starting out, we were fans. Autobahn was an album that made us all take notice: what is this?. They were doing something different … entirely original – they deliberately moved past previous styles.”