The museum opened in late January 2014, in connection with the inauguration of the European Capital of Culture in Umeå.

[3][4] Umeå municipality has supported the museum enterprise both through renovation and adaptation of the premises,[5] and with an annual co-funding of 2.4 million Swedish crowns during 2014 and 2015.

[7] Among the more exclusive guitars in the collection, there is a 1958 Gibson Flying V, a 1960 Les Paul and a 1950 Fender Broadcaster.

With a total of over 500 guitars, the museum has attracted international attention,[8] and has been described as the largest of its kind in the world.

To mark the opening, the exhibition Umeå - The European capital of hardcore 1989-2000 by Folkrörelsearkivet (the archive of popular movement) was displayed in the museum.