Prince.

Throughout his career there were many changes and evolutions. Many hairstyles, guitars, clothes, different band members, musical genre's, even his complexion changed sometimes..

Ladies and gentleman..the only consistant thing in Princes career was genius music and this little thing...Anyone know why?

I'm sure he's had different ones throughout the years, as they do tend to eventually wear out, especially as much as he played. But, I always figured it just seemed to match the guitar itself, so why change it?

In certain eras, that strap sure did stand out as almost a sore thumb against some of his more colorful clothing. Yet, there was something unique and historic about it. That strap with that guitar, no matter the era.

neniena said:

Yes, it is a constant. I've noticed it too and wondered it's significance but have no answer.

Agreed.

I think it either represents his free spirit and wild side or simply he just liked it.

Another reason could be that he felt a sense of security about that one friendly object that was a constant in his years of musical exploration.

A more far out thing could be that it was a sort of talisaman. A mystical 'lucky' thing he believed gave him abilities and 'powers'

What ever the reason, it always seemed out of place. especially during the silk, satin, Louis XIV ruffled shirts and fitted long jackets eras of 1999 and Purple Rain..

I miss Prince being in the world so fucking much.

rogifan said:

His Hohner guitar never really changed much either did it? [img:$uid]http://www.edroman.com/guitars/hohner/images/hohner-artist-F.jpg[/img:$uid] Anyone know why he switched to Vox with 3rdEye? Just gave him a more hard rock sound than the Fender Strat did?

Was it not a replica. Not the real thing.

Obviously he could afford a real one but preferred his custom version..

Mandingo said:

rogifan said:

His Hohner guitar never really changed much either did it? [img:$uid]http://www.edroman.com/guitars/hohner/images/hohner-artist-F.jpg[/img:$uid] Anyone know why he switched to Vox with 3rdEye? Just gave him a more hard rock sound than the Fender Strat did?

Was it not a replica. Not the real thing.

Obviously he could afford a real one but preferred his custom version..

He had more than one Hohner, FYI. So he probably had a couple in front of us, and not many noticed. Although, didn't someone just post a pic of one of this guitars? Some rapper or singer or something? You could tell by the tortoise shell design spots that it wasn't the same as his first Hohner.

Very good observation. I never really took notice of his guitar strap, until you pointed it out.

I remember his purple guitar straps with metallic emblems attached that he would wear with his purple symbol guitar I thought those were a nice change-up from the animal print. That leopard-print strap was classic, though. His guitar + strap was his "beast" of choice, I guess!

TrivialPursuit said:

I'm sure he's had different ones throughout the years, as they do tend to eventually wear out, especially as much as he played. But, I always figured it just seemed to match the guitar itself, so why change it?

In certain eras, that strap sure did stand out as almost a sore thumb against some of his more colorful clothing. Yet, there was something unique and historic about it. That strap with that guitar, no matter the era.

Historic, indeed. Of course, he wore it for his epic performance of "My Guitar Gently Weeps" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I will admit...I have a soft spot for his Hohner Mad Cat, and his leopard strap. It just always seems so much *more* him.

Mandingo said:

neniena said:

Yes, it is a constant. I've noticed it too and wondered it's significance but have no answer.

Agreed.

I think it either represents his free spirit and wild side or simply he just liked it.

Another reason could be that he felt a sense of security about that one friendly object that was a constant in his years of musical exploration.

A more far out thing could be that it was a sort of talisaman. A mystical 'lucky' thing he believed gave him abilities and 'powers'

What ever the reason, it always seemed out of place. especially during the silk, satin, Louis XIV ruffled shirts and fitted long jackets eras of 1999 and Purple Rain..

Wait. One of those is a tiger print so it's not the same.

morningsong said:

Mandingo said:

Agreed.

I think it either represents his free spirit and wild side or simply he just liked it.

Another reason could be that he felt a sense of security about that one friendly object that was a constant in his years of musical exploration.

A more far out thing could be that it was a sort of talisaman. A mystical 'lucky' thing he believed gave him abilities and 'powers'

What ever the reason, it always seemed out of place. especially during the silk, satin, Louis XIV ruffled shirts and fitted long jackets eras of 1999 and Purple Rain..

Wait. One of those is a tiger print so it's not the same.

They're ALL different. ! I'm trying to imagine P sticking it in the washing machine on boil wash, but can't see it somehow. He probably had loads of dupes made.

Marrk said:

morningsong said:

Wait. One of those is a tiger print so it's not the same.

They're ALL different. ! I'm trying to imagine P sticking it in the washing machine on boil wash, but can't see it somehow. He probably had loads of dupes made.

I did too, because after all this time it sure would be mighty dirty.

I've been thinking about that strap for a week! Glad to know someone else was, too!

Mandingo said:

LBrent said:

Mandingo said:

I miss Prince being in the world so fucking much.

Yeah. We all do.

Yes me too - feeling it today for some reason

rogifan said:

His Hohner guitar never really changed much either did it? [img:$uid]http://www.edroman.com/guitars/hohner/images/hohner-artist-F.jpg[/img:$uid]

TrivialPursuit said:

Mandingo said:

Was it not a replica. Not the real thing.

Obviously he could afford a real one but preferred his custom version..

He had more than one Hohner, FYI. So he probably had a couple in front of us, and not many noticed. Although, didn't someone just post a pic of one of this guitars? Some rapper or singer or something? You could tell by the tortoise shell design spots that it wasn't the same as his first Hohner.

Yes, he certainly had more than one. When he came to Houston on the Tamar tour, I was five feet from him the whole night. The Hohner he played that night had a flawless body. When I posted that, several people replied, "What do you mean? There are plenty of nicks on it!" and posted pictures of a Hohner that clearly had been through the wringer.

27 years and I never knew

Mandingo said:

I miss Prince being in the world so fucking much.

U ain't never lied. Me too!

Morris Day and The Time recently shared a video of Jimi Hendrix performing on their FB page and he was so incredibly clearly someone that inspired Prince's performances, but in the video he's also got a leopard print guitar strap. A bit of a reach--could be coincidence--but it's worth a guess.



Another one here. Didn't post it because it's such a big picture.

[Edited 7/26/16 16:54pm]

RodeoSchro said:

TrivialPursuit said:

He had more than one Hohner, FYI. So he probably had a couple in front of us, and not many noticed. Although, didn't someone just post a pic of one of this guitars? Some rapper or singer or something? You could tell by the tortoise shell design spots that it wasn't the same as his first Hohner.

Yes, he certainly had more than one. When he came to Houston on the Tamar tour, I was five feet from him the whole night. The Hohner he played that night had a flawless body. When I posted that, several people replied, "What do you mean? There are plenty of nicks on it!" and posted pictures of a Hohner that clearly had been through the wringer.

I would bet this picture is from The Nude Tour.