This week we pay tribute to Prince (1958 – 2016) by taking a look at some of the most interesting guitars that he used throughout his career. He had an array of custom instruments that featured eccentric yet beautiful designs that complemented his personality.
The Cloud Guitar
The original Cloud Guitar was built by Dave Rusan, who worked at the Knute Koupee music store in Minnesota. You may recognize this one from the movie Purple Rain. It featured 2 EMG pickups – an active bridge pickup and a single coil neck pickup.
After Prince’s passing, this guitar has gone up for display in the National Museum of American History.
The Symbol Guitar
This guitar was built by a German luthier and features antique maple. Prince did have a few copies made so that he could throw them around on stage.
It was built with similar specs to the Cloud Guitar (listed above).
It was built with similar specs to the Cloud Guitar (listed above). Hohner "The Artist" Telecaster
This is the second reissue of a Telecaster-style guitar made for Prince by Hohner. The original "MadCat" model was designed in the early 70's, and Prince has used one since the 80's.
Gold Fender Stratocaster
One of the many notable guitars Prince used included this Fender Stratocaster with a gold finish. It was sold at an auction in 2011 for $100,000 to race car driver Lewis Hamilton.
One of the many notable guitars Prince used included this Fender Stratocaster with a gold finish. It was sold at an auction in 2011 for $100,000 to race car driver Lewis Hamilton.
Model C
Known as "Model C", this guitar was designed by the same luthier that built The Symbol guitar. The tuners on this model are located on the bridge and not on the headstock.
Known as "Model C", this guitar was designed by the same luthier that built The Symbol guitar. The tuners on this model are located on the bridge and not on the headstock.
The German luthier was Jerry Auerswald. I have a Londaxe guitar designed by him, which is very similar to his Madarosa guitars.
The other guitar identified with Prince is the Symbol Guitar or Love Symbol guitar. This instrument was custom built by German luthier, Jerry Auerswald.This guitar made from antique maple and has neck-through-body construction.
The neck scale is 24.75” and the fretboard has 24 medium jumbo frets.
Mr. Auerswald installed EMG pickups on this guitar similar to those on the Cloud guitar. The luthier custom built the bridge and installed Schaller machine heads, with custom-made buttons. The original guitar came with a gold finish.
Prince had his guitar technician built two more of the Symbol instruments. The tech accomplished this by taking measurements of the original instrument and sending them to Schecte
A friend of mine was an employee of Paisley Park in the early 90s. One time, they opened up the case and allowed me to take a close look at what I believe was the original “Symbol” guitar. It was absolutely beautiful. Included in the case was a small, round, hand-written fold-out “book” from Mr. Auerswald describing the creation of this guitar. Unless my memory has completely failed me, the guitar was white, but it may have been repainted at some point.
My name is Dave Rusan, not Husain.
https://www.premierguitar.com/gear/guitars/dave-rusan-building-princes-cloud-guitar
Hi Dave, thanks for the comment! Sorry about the mistake, I’ve corrected it.