Object Details
user
Prince
maker
Haugen, Barry
Rusan, David
Knut-Koupee Enterprises, Inc.
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.
Credit Line
Gift of Paisley Park Enterprises
date made
1983
ID Number
1993.0435.01
catalog number
1993.0435.01
accession number
1993.0435
Object Name
guitar
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
Place Made
United States: Minnesota, Minneapolis
Related Publication
Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Popular Entertainment
Guitars
Highlights from the Culture and the Arts Collection
Exhibition
Entertainment Nation
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
African American
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_607482