🔗 Share this article

He was innovator of electronic music and his ensemble Kraftwerk revolutionized the sound of pop and impacting performers including Bowie, New Order, Coldplay, and Run-DMC.

Now, the electronic equipment and musical instruments that Florian Schneider used for producing Kraftwerk's iconic tracks during the '70s and '80s could fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars as they go under the hammer this coming month.

Rare Glimpse into Late Individual Composition

Recordings related to his own venture the artist was developing prior to his passing from cancer in his seventies back in 2020 can be heard as a debut in a video promoting the sale.

Vast Assortment from His Possessions

In addition to his portable synth, his flute plus voice modulators – which he used creating mechanical-sounding vocals – enthusiasts have the opportunity to acquire around five hundred his personal effects through bidding.

These include his set exceeding 100 musical wind tools, several snapshots, his shades, his travel document for his travels through the late '70s plus his custom van, given a gray finish.

The bike he rode, which he rode during the band's video and is depicted on the cover art, is also for sale this November 19.

Bidding Particulars

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

The group was revolutionary – among the earliest acts employing synthesizers producing sounds entirely new to listeners.

Fellow musicians viewed their songs astonishing. It revealed this new pathway within sound developed by the group. This motivated many acts to shift towards synthesizer-based tunes.

Featured Lots

• An effects unit possibly employed by the band for recordings The Man Machine in 1978 plus later releases could fetch $30K–$50K.
• An EMS Synthi AKS likely the one used for Autobahn their iconic release has an estimate of $15K–$20K.
• His wind instrument, a classic design played by him during live acts until 1974, is valued at up to five figures.

Quirky and Personal Items

For smaller budgets, an assortment with dozens of snapshots he captured featuring his wind collection is on sale for $100 to $200.

Additional unique items, including a transparent, colorful bass and an unusual fly sculpture, placed at his studio, have estimates of $200–$400.

Schneider’s gold-framed green-tinted shades along with instant photos featuring the glasses are estimated at $300–$500.

Official Message

His view was that they are meant to be played and shared – not sitting idle or gathering dust in storage. He wanted his equipment to find their way to individuals that will cherish them: artists, gatherers and fans through music.

Enduring Impact

Considering Kraftwerk’s influence, one noted musician commented: “From the early days, we were fans. That record that made us all sit up and say: what is this?. They produced innovative work … fresh sounds – they were consciously rejecting the past.”