Custom-made in 1983 by the Minneapolis, Minn., firm of Knut-Koupee Enterprises, this electric guitar was designed and used by Prince (born on this day 1958). It was painted different colors over the years of its' use. The musician's distinctive personal symbol adorns both the top and the side of the fingerboard. Custom work for famous instrumentalists and musicians provides an important marketing tool for small-scale guitar makers. (NMAH Label)
Prince's Yellow Cloud Electric Guitar
- Description
- In 1983, Prince hired the Minneapolis, Minnesota guitar company Knut-Koupee Enterprises to build this, likely his first “Cloud” guitar, the bold shape of which was inspired by a unique bass guitar designed in 1972 by Jeff Levin of Sardonyx Guitars. Originally painted white, the guitar debuted in Prince’s breakout film, Purple Rain, and later was painted peach when Prince unveiled his 1987 album, Sign o' the Times. Like Prince’s genre-defying music, it features a flamboyantly fluid shape, with fretboard markers along the neck of the guitar (later added) that combine male and female symbols.
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- user
- Prince
- maker
- Haugen, Barry
- Rusan, David
- Knut-Koupee Enterprises, Inc.
- date made
- 1983
- Credit Line
- Gift of Paisley Park Enterprises
- Physical Description
- paint (overall material)
- plastic (overall material)
- brass (overall material)
- metal (overall material)
- wood (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 38 1/2 in x 11 1/2 in x 2 3/4 in; 97.79 cm x 29.21 cm x 6.985 cm
- Object Name
- guitar
Electric Guitar used by Prince
