I went to Tavis Smiley's America I Am exhibit. At the end of the exhibit is Prince's guitar that he used at the 2007 Superbowl. I loved seeing the little dings, in it etc., esp. since it's one of my favorite performances. Photos were not allowed, but I snuck and took it.



P.S. The exhibit is coming to Atlanta next - the exhibit is an incredible and moving experience. I highly recommend it.

Great picture!

Very Nice.

I probably should not be surprised that photos were not allowed of a guitar that he played, but wow.

Freaking

Thank you for sharing.

People.
It's a guitar.
So how can you be freaked out this way when it is encased like this?
Dead?
No music?
No sound?

You should be freaked out because it is not being played.

jamaicanbob said:

Actually pictures were not allowed of any of the items in the exhibit. I also got a picture of one of Luther Vandross' stage suits too. U just had to be extra carful not to get cuaght taking a picture. U might have gotten tossed out, but I wasn't the only one, lol.

He's obviously "retired" the symbol guitar, and good riddance I say.

His playing was fine at the Super Bowl UNTIL he went with the Symbol guitar.

I've never really liked the brittle tone of it... The Cloud guitar was far "meatier", and I'm happy with his Hohner and Strat selections of late.
[Edited 5/4/09 8:52am]

udo said:

it was still great to see.

Giovanni777 said:

Ah what?! Eye loved his Habibi guitar! How can he retire it?! Y?!?!?!?

I have still never seen the performance at the Super bowl, not yet anyway

Close2u said:

You're missing a great performance.

I love the look, colour and style of the guitar, but not the sound.

Cool.
All the dings probably came from throwing it to the guitar tech to put away.

This is my fav. because of the style and he just plays the life into it. No pun intended but it seems to take on a life of its own.

udo said:

This is a piece of art. As people go and enjoy something in a museum that has a history...that's what the guitar does for some people, especially Prince fans!

Thanks for sharing the pic

Giovanni777 said:

I agree though I wasn't a big fan of the cloud either. His tone on the "Tele" is definitely my favorite.

I guess he played some other guitars early on, Gibson L5S (which I have coincidentally), & perhaps a Yamaha?

thanks for sharing the pic

Giovanni777 said:

The Clouds had the best tone... ... far thicker and sweeter than the Symbol's.

wildgoldenhoney said:

Or from walking into a door, hitting the headstock on your computer desk, etc. -- it's amazing just how easy it is to ding a guitar...

Prince brought this to the Super Bowl, but didn't play it.

squirrelgrease said:

That's a real beauty

ThreadBare said:

That's what I believed they were all called in general...So is it that each cloud guitar has a name?
The White Cloud being the "Unicorn."
The Blue Cloud, "Blue Angel," etc.?

What would U call this orangish one? I don't think it looks like fire.
What are all of the names of the Clouds...

squirrelgrease said:

Maybe "Purple Rain" would've worked out if he had.

That symbol guitar is beautiful. I hope the exibit comes to NYC.

squirrelgrease said:

Oh my God. I sooooo wish he used that one instead, even though I love the Habibi. That would have been too hot to see him with the cloud one more time, especially in orange.

Tame said:

The Blue Angel was the lighter blue Cloud. I don't know if the yellow, black, peach, dark blue or orange ones have names. There was a red TMBGITW Cloud made for a promotion, but Prince didn't take delivery on it.

Giovanni777 said:

That orange one is in my top three Cloud wish list. He shoulda rocked it. Maybe he'll play Tangerine on it someday...

1sexymf said:

nice! i would like 2 have the chance 2 c this in real!