Florian Schneider's Historic Gear Head to American Sale

As a pioneer within synth-based sounds whose band the German electronic band redefined popular music and influenced artists including Bowie, New Order, Coldplay, and Run-DMC.

Presently, the musical tools and performance items employed by Schneider to create some of the band’s best-known songs throughout two decades could fetch a high six-figure sum as they go under the hammer this coming month.

First Listen for Late Individual Composition

Music from an independent endeavor he had been creating shortly before his death due to cancer aged 73 in 2020 is available for the first time through a clip about the auction.

Vast Assortment of Personal Belongings

Together with the compact synthesizer, the wooden flute and his vocoders – which he used for robotic vocal effects – enthusiasts have the opportunity to purchase approximately 500 his personal effects at the auction.

These include the assortment over a hundred wind and brass items, numerous Polaroid photographs, his shades, his travel document he used while touring before 1979 plus his custom van, painted in a gray hue.

His Panasonic Panaracer bicycle, used by him during the band's video and is depicted on the single’s artwork, will be auctioned later this month.

Auction Details

The approximate sum for the auction is $450,000 to $650,000.

They were innovators – they were one of the first bands employing synthesizers and they created music unlike anything prior.

Fellow musicians considered their music “mind-blowing”. They came across a fresh route within sound that Kraftwerk created. This motivated a lot of bands to explore of using synthesised electronic music.

Featured Lots

• A vocoder possibly employed by the band in productions during their peak plus later releases is expected to sell a high estimate.
• An EMS Synthi AKS believed to be employed on Kraftwerk’s 1974 album Autobahn has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000.
• The flute, a classic design featured in performances on stage with the synthesiser before moving on, carries an estimate of $8K–$10K.

Quirky and Personal Items

For smaller budgets, an assortment with dozens of snapshots photographed by him of his woodwind and brass instruments can be bought for $100 to $200.

Other quirky objects, such as a see-through, colorful bass and a “very unique” 16-inch model of a fly, placed in his workspace, are priced at $200 to $400.

The musician's eyewear with green lenses along with instant photos of him wearing them could sell for $300 to $500.

Estate’s Statement

His view was that gear deserves activity and enjoyed by others – not left unused or gathering dust in storage. He wanted his equipment to go to people that will cherish them: musicians, collectors and those inspired by audio creativity.

Lasting Influence

Recalling Kraftwerk’s influence, one noted musician commented: Initially, we loved Kraftwerk. That record that had us pay attention: this is new. They produced something different … entirely original – they intentionally avoided previous styles.”