Electronic Music Pioneer's Iconic Instruments Are Featured in Stateside Bidding

He was trailblazer within synth-based sounds and his ensemble the German electronic band redefined the sound of pop while inspiring artists from David Bowie and New Order to Coldplay and Run-DMC.

Now, his synth gear and musical instruments that Florian Schneider used in crafting the group's famous compositions during the '70s and '80s may bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars during the upcoming sale at auction next month.

Rare Glimpse of Unreleased Personal Work

Music from an independent endeavor that Schneider was working on prior to his passing after a cancer diagnosis at 73 years old two years ago is available initially in a video about the auction.

Vast Assortment from His Possessions

Alongside the compact synthesizer, his flute plus voice modulators – which he used creating mechanical-sounding vocals – fans can try to acquire nearly 500 his personal effects in the sale.

These include the assortment of more than 100 brass and woodwind instruments, several snapshots, his shades, his travel document he used while touring before 1979 plus his custom van, given a gray finish.

His cycling gear, featured for the Tour de France clip and is depicted on the cover art, will also go under the hammer this November 19.

Sale Information

The total estimated value of the sale ranges from $450,000 to $650,000.

They were innovators – they were one of the first bands employing synthesizers and they created music that no one had ever heard of before.

Additional artists considered their music incredible. They suddenly discovered this new pathway within sound that Kraftwerk created. This motivated many acts to shift towards of using synthesised electronic music.

Notable Pieces

  • An effects unit possibly the one Kraftwerk used on their albums The Man Machine in 1978 and Computer World in 1981 may go for $30,000 to $50,000.
  • The portable EMS model likely utilized for Autobahn their iconic release is valued at $15K–$20K.
  • His wind instrument, a specific model played by him alongside electronic gear before moving on, is valued at up to five figures.

Unique Belongings

In the affordable range, an assortment of nearly 100 instant photos photographed by him featuring his wind collection can be bought at a low estimate.

Other quirky objects, including a transparent, bright yellow acrylic guitar and a “very unique” fly sculpture, placed in his workspace, have estimates of a few hundred.

His framed green-tinted shades plus snapshots featuring the glasses are estimated at under $500.

Estate’s Statement

He felt that gear deserves activity and circulated – not sitting idle or gathering dust in storage. He wanted his tools to be passed to people who would truly value them: artists, gatherers and admirers through music.

Enduring Impact

Reflecting on Kraftwerk’s influence, an influential artist commented: Starting out, we were fans. Autobahn was an album which prompted us sit up and say: this is new. They were doing unique material … entirely original – they were consciously rejecting earlier approaches.”

Matthew Hall
Matthew Hall

Elara is a tech journalist with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and their impact on society.