I bought the White Cloud when they first started selling them a couple of years ago. It's setup fantastic, and plays great. I of course do not use it as my primary guitar. But, when I do use it, it's a very enjoyable guitar to play.

.

I only wish the headstock was like the original Cloud, with the "longer" pointy end, instead of the short stubby end this one has.

1700 and symbols for the fret markers? meh...

OK took the plung this time and scored one of the last remaining Peach ones from the 2017 run direct from the Park. They were very nice to deal with. Will arrive on Friday. Yea the Symbols instead of Spades is annoying but what the hell.

I'll report back as I assume the new white and blue ones are essentially the same build.

emesem said:

OK took the plung this time and scored one of the last remaining Peach ones from the 2017 run direct from the Park. They were very nice to deal with. Will arrive on Friday. Yea the Symbols instead of Spades is annoying but what the hell.

I'll report back as I assume the new white and blue ones are essentially the same build.

I have the blue and yellow. They both have the same build. I really wanted the peach one too, but the O+> instead of spades made up my mind for me. The color is really nice and accurate though. I'm going to ask them where my commission is!

A handmade custom guitar can easily cost $5000 - $10,000. Rusan is not unreasonable given that is the guy who made the one in the movie and you can easily see the care and quality he puts into it. If I were a richer man, I wouldnt hesitate to get one. That said the "Official" Paisley Park ones are decent quality reproductions and I'm very happy with mine but yeah not for the average fan. It connects best with that cross section of middle-aged crisis guitar lover and Prince fan.

I figure the "pointy" headstock was removed because of costs. (It would at a minimum take an additional piece of wood that gets glued on at the end and the labor that goes along with it).

Same as to symbol vs spade inlays. Every $ counts and to reprogram the painting stage for spades vs symbol cost time and money, I would guess.

Paisley has no rights to the design. The legal action is without merit and basically harrassment. He's not taking anything away from Paisley. I doubt he sells more than 20 of these a year.

DivineD said:

Here’s my thoughts... In August last year I contacted Dave Rusan, sounds like a really nice chap to be fair, and below was my reply. “The Cloud will be priced at $7,995 plus shipping” so £6400 plus shipping in the UK, (plus shipping!!!, sorry but hide that in the price), sorry but I can buy a decent BMW for that, rather pricey I would say, so looking at Paisleys and if you watch Dave’s video on YouTube, he says that they are rather close to his...if they are so close u would ask, then why so expensive, we know the answer to that, Paisleys are made in Korea and he hand-makes them... So let’s guess that he sales 100 * $7995 = $799.500, nice!, pays for a nice house or mansion! and You wonder why the estate is *#@**** off!, I would rather give to the estate to keep paisley open and to see more Album releases..., nothing personal meant. So for £5k less I’m very tempted to buy one, I’m just wondering if the original headstock Which is quite different and pointy is because he has the copyright/trademark, so paisley designed it different/less pointy, answers on a postcard? If you watch this video https://youtu.be/hJxM-1e59jY And I love watching it, and you may be tempted like me, this customers one is from Paisley. And yes I own most of Prince’s Boss pedals, have lots of cheap guitars and knock off Fenders and love them all. So Daves Divine Cloud or Paisley Park and yes made in Korea, its Paisley for me... Keeping it fun, can you imagine people’s comments if they sold the Symbol & Model C guitar!, does Prince own the Symbol copyright guitar?

I took the Ultimate tour at Paisley Park last Monday. Our tour guide Josh took a good amount of time describing the Cloud guitars . . . from the original wooden bass guitar, to the Rusan guitars, then the Beech guitars, to finally the Schecter replicas for sale.

I got to physically hold the Andy Beech tangerine Cloud that was slated for use in the Super Bowl. We had strict instructions not to "play" the guitar at all because it was exactly how Prince left it. We were only allowed to hold it. It was much heavier than I thought it would be!

On the way out of PP through the gift shop, I did spot a peach cloud for sale. It was tempting, but I had to stay on budget. I got a few tamborines instead.

emesem said:

A handmade custom guitar can easily cost $5000 - $10,000. Rusan is not unreasonable given that is the guy who made the one in the movie and you can easily see the care and quality he puts into it. If I were a richer man, I wouldnt hesitate to get one. That said the "Official" Paisley Park ones are decent quality reproductions and I'm very happy with mine but yeah not for the average fan. It connects best with that cross section of middle-aged crisis guitar lover and Prince fan.

I figure the "pointy" headstock was removed because of costs. (It would at a minimum take an additional piece of wood that gets glued on at the end and the labor that goes along with it).

Same as to symbol vs spade inlays. Every $ counts and to reprogram the painting stage for spades vs symbol cost time and money, I would guess.

Paisley has no rights to the design. The legal action is without merit and basically harrassment. He's not taking anything away from Paisley. I doubt he sells more than 20 of these a year.

DivineD said:

Here’s my thoughts... In August last year I contacted Dave Rusan, sounds like a really nice chap to be fair, and below was my reply. “The Cloud will be priced at $7,995 plus shipping” so £6400 plus shipping in the UK, (plus shipping!!!, sorry but hide that in the price), sorry but I can buy a decent BMW for that, rather pricey I would say, so looking at Paisleys and if you watch Dave’s video on YouTube, he says that they are rather close to his...if they are so close u would ask, then why so expensive, we know the answer to that, Paisleys are made in Korea and he hand-makes them... So let’s guess that he sales 100 * $7995 = $799.500, nice!, pays for a nice house or mansion! and You wonder why the estate is *#@**** off!, I would rather give to the estate to keep paisley open and to see more Album releases..., nothing personal meant. So for £5k less I’m very tempted to buy one, I’m just wondering if the original headstock Which is quite different and pointy is because he has the copyright/trademark, so paisley designed it different/less pointy, answers on a postcard? If you watch this video https://youtu.be/hJxM-1e59jY And I love watching it, and you may be tempted like me, this customers one is from Paisley. And yes I own most of Prince’s Boss pedals, have lots of cheap guitars and knock off Fenders and love them all. So Daves Divine Cloud or Paisley Park and yes made in Korea, its Paisley for me... Keeping it fun, can you imagine people’s comments if they sold the Symbol & Model C guitar!, does Prince own the Symbol copyright guitar?

If I'm not mistaken, the pointy tip was prone to breaking off. That's why they shortened it. I don't think it had anything to do with price.

DivineD said:

Here’s my thoughts... In August last year I contacted Dave Rusan, sounds like a really nice chap to be fair, and below was my reply. “The Cloud will be priced at $7,995 plus shipping” so £6400 plus shipping in the UK, (plus shipping!!!, sorry but hide that in the price), sorry but I can buy a decent BMW for that, rather pricey I would say, so looking at Paisleys and if you watch Dave’s video on YouTube, he says that they are rather close to his...if they are so close u would ask, then why so expensive, we know the answer to that, Paisleys are made in Korea and he hand-makes them... So let’s guess that he sales 100 * $7995 = $799.500, nice!, pays for a nice house or mansion! and You wonder why the estate is *#@**** off!, I would rather give to the estate to keep paisley open and to see more Album releases..., nothing personal meant. So for £5k less I’m very tempted to buy one, I’m just wondering if the original headstock Which is quite different and pointy is because he has the copyright/trademark, so paisley designed it different/less pointy, answers on a postcard? If you watch this video https://youtu.be/hJxM-1e59jY And I love watching it, and you may be tempted like me, this customers one is from Paisley. And yes I own most of Prince’s Boss pedals, have lots of cheap guitars and knock off Fenders and love them all. So Daves Divine Cloud or Paisley Park and yes made in Korea, its Paisley for me... Keeping it fun, can you imagine people’s comments if they sold the Symbol & Model C guitar!, does Prince own the Symbol copyright guitar?

He's not making all 100 guitars at once like a factory would. They're hand made, probably takes several weeks to finish even one guitar!

I say good for Rusan that he is able to make a living off of these guitars. If the Estate was smart, they'd team up with him instead of suing him.

PURPLEIZED3121 said:

from what I understand these are too small [obviously 3/4 scale for the wee man] & don't play particularly well in comparison to other high end brands out there. Needless to say P could make rubber bands on a card board box sound like heaven...so don't be disappointed if you still sound like shit when you plug this in!!.

If you are a novice & buying this guitar please try to search out his pedal rigs....pluggin this into a practice amp ain't gonna make you play the solo to Let's Go Crazy any time soon!

The price is fair given the connection etc...the guitar is only ever as good as the player!!!

[Edited 6/28/19 8:12am]

That's not the case actually - they aren't 3/4 scale and neither were Prince's cloud guitars either.

The scale length is same as Gibson, 24 and 3/4 inch.

FWIW I have a yellow cloud, it's a pretty decent guitar actually (I'm a guitar collector / building / player so my perspective may be helpful). It is a little over-priced for what it is, but I guess that makes sense as they are quite limited in number (only 100 made of the yellow ones last time).

Fit and finish are good, it is a decent quality instrument made by a very well-regarded Korean factory which also puts out some high end guitars for lots of other brands. It plays well, takes some getting used to the shape of it of course, and some of the details aren't quite right for obsessive fans (in the case of the white cloud, the fret marker inlays annoy me, as the PR one used spade markers).

Personally I don't play my cloud all that much as I do have a lot other guitars, so I have considered selling mine at some point, but I've been really happy with it.

oceanblue said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Gotta love the morans on Facebook who were whining "Prince would hate this". They're such "huge fans" that they feel the need to speak for him yet are ignorant that at multiple times Prince himself sold copies of the Cloud.

.

Once even at the merch stands for a concert, because I recall T telling on a.mp that he bought one in cash and the merch people were looking at him like he was crazy.

Gotta love the morons that would pay $1750, for an imitation guitar just because Prince once played it. I'm sorry, but I just don't get it, and it just doesn't make sense to me! It's not like you're getting a piece of Prince! The man is dead and gone, and he's never coming back, so what's the point? It's not like Prince is aware of any of it anymore, that man and his time on earth is no more! I guess as I get older, I just realize that in the whole scheme of life, and in the end, it really means nothing, because one day, it will all pass away, and we won't care about any of it, Lord knows we can't take it with us, just like Prince couldn't take anything with him. Everything he had, all the money, Paisley Park, guitars, cars, music, etc etc etc.....all was left behind! I guess he knew that, that's why he didn't bother to leave a will, because in the end he knew that he wouldn't care about any of it, because it wouldn't be his concern anymore, and would mean absolutely nothing to him after he was gone! Spend your money on something else that would be more beneficial to you or someone else that may need it, other than a idol worshiping prop, that in all honesty, means nothing, and will most probably end up as another piece of clutter that you have no need for.

If these relatively affordable cloud guitar makes you this mad, you won't like what I paid for my Madcat It's an expensive interest for sure, but there are worse. Maybe lighten up a bit, people spend their spare cash on all sorts of hobbies and interests that may seem dumb to you, don't worry about it. Personally I spent a big chunk of the 80s doodling cloud guitars all over my notebooks at school, daydreaming of playing one. For Prince fans who enjoy guitars, it's a cool thing. Also tacky, ridiculous etc

Se7en said:

emesem said:

A handmade custom guitar can easily cost $5000 - $10,000. Rusan is not unreasonable given that is the guy who made the one in the movie and you can easily see the care and quality he puts into it. If I were a richer man, I wouldnt hesitate to get one. That said the "Official" Paisley Park ones are decent quality reproductions and I'm very happy with mine but yeah not for the average fan. It connects best with that cross section of middle-aged crisis guitar lover and Prince fan.

I figure the "pointy" headstock was removed because of costs. (It would at a minimum take an additional piece of wood that gets glued on at the end and the labor that goes along with it).

Same as to symbol vs spade inlays. Every $ counts and to reprogram the painting stage for spades vs symbol cost time and money, I would guess.

Paisley has no rights to the design. The legal action is without merit and basically harrassment. He's not taking anything away from Paisley. I doubt he sells more than 20 of these a year.

If I'm not mistaken, the pointy tip was prone to breaking off. That's why they shortened it. I don't think it had anything to do with price.

Years ago Takumi said the shorter point tip was on these guitars so they could spot it from a distance and know it wasn't one of Prince's originals.

motherfunka said:

emesem said:

OK took the plung this time and scored one of the last remaining Peach ones from the 2017 run direct from the Park. They were very nice to deal with. Will arrive on Friday. Yea the Symbols instead of Spades is annoying but what the hell.

I'll report back as I assume the new white and blue ones are essentially the same build.

I have the blue and yellow. They both have the same build. I really wanted the peach one too, but the O+> instead of spades made up my mind for me. The color is really nice and accurate though. I'm going to ask them where my commission is!

Teh peach color isn't accurate and too light compared to the original.

JorisE73 said:

Se7en said:

If I'm not mistaken, the pointy tip was prone to breaking off. That's why they shortened it. I don't think it had anything to do with price.

Years ago Takumi said the shorter point tip was on these guitars so they could spot it from a distance and know it wasn't one of Prince's originals.

Yeah I've heard that too. I think it was a big mistake personally, as the headstock is really recognizable and crucial to the silhouette of the instrument. There are other easy ways to distinguish from the originals of course - the front-routed neck pickup, the Schecter branding and the truss rod cover, the ifret markers and the fact that the body is mahogany rather than maple. People will still make clones of famous guitars so all the headstock changes have done is piss off legitimate customers.

ian said:

JorisE73 said:

Years ago Takumi said the shorter point tip was on these guitars so they could spot it from a distance and know it wasn't one of Prince's originals.

Yeah I've heard that too. I think it was a big mistake personally, as the headstock is really recognizable and crucial to the silhouette of the instrument. There are other easy ways to distinguish from the originals of course - the front-routed neck pickup, the Schecter branding and the truss rod cover, the ifret markers and the fact that the body is mahogany rather than maple. People will still make clones of famous guitars so all the headstock changes have done is piss off legitimate customers.

Agreed - the neck pickup cutout is the easiest way (for me) to start to notice a copy. Some of them are done OK - some have an extra dip in the middle that looks horrible. The official PP Schecter replicas have the wider neck pickup opening . . . in fact, the replica version is on display a few times within Paisley Park.

As for the pointed headstock . . . I don't think it would have been a problem for most musicians. Prince just had a way of throwing guitars around! There's a video of Prince tossing the One Eyed Bass across the stage and it sort of tumbles around a bit before stopping.

Our Paisley Park tour guide mentioned that the Symbol guitar "loop" kept breaking off too.

Someone selling two on Ebay, one for around 4k, the other for around 15k, both are 'made for the npg' schecters....

What are these people thinking? lol

leadline said:

Someone selling two on Ebay, one for around 4k, the other for around 15k, both are 'made for the npg' schecters....

What are these people thinking? lol

I had an offer of around 3k for mine already, just so you know. They're made in limited numbers, and there are enough Prince fans out there who also like expensive guitar it seems.

The 15k one is a bit nuts I agree, I think those were a really different batch and more limited USA-made run, much earlier than the recent Korean made ones. Not a good ideal IMHO, when you can ask a luthier like David Rusan to make you a much better hand-made instrument for half that price. There's also a white on Reverb for ages for a similar price, it'll probably never sell though.

[Edited 7/22/19 8:43am]

ian said:

leadline said:

Someone selling two on Ebay, one for around 4k, the other for around 15k, both are 'made for the npg' schecters....

What are these people thinking? lol

I had an offer of around 3k for mine already, just so you know. They're made in limited numbers, and there are enough Prince fans out there who also like expensive guitar it seems.

The 15k one is a bit nuts I agree, I think those were a really different batch and more limited USA-made run, much earlier than the recent Korean made ones. Not a good ideal IMHO, when you can ask a luthier like David Rusan to make you a much better hand-made instrument for half that price. There's also a white on Reverb for ages for a similar price, it'll probably never sell though.

[Edited 7/22/19 8:43am]

Do you know if the korean ones that are being sold from paislley are limited quantity and limited time? or will it be a perpetual offering from them.

leadline said:

ian said:

I had an offer of around 3k for mine already, just so you know. They're made in limited numbers, and there are enough Prince fans out there who also like expensive guitar it seems.

The 15k one is a bit nuts I agree, I think those were a really different batch and more limited USA-made run, much earlier than the recent Korean made ones. Not a good ideal IMHO, when you can ask a luthier like David Rusan to make you a much better hand-made instrument for half that price. There's also a white on Reverb for ages for a similar price, it'll probably never sell though.

[Edited 7/22/19 8:43am]

Do you know if the korean ones that are being sold from paislley are limited quantity and limited time? or will it be a perpetual offering from them.

Impossible to say really. As far as I know, the previous batches were ordered in runs of 100 guitars per colour, so that's 200 guitars in total each time. I think as long as they sell, they'll keep doing them but eventually everyone remotely likely to buy one will have one. They're expensive items of course, it did seem to take a while for them to sell out.

Personally I'd like to see to see fans pressuring Paisley to put out more accurate replicas - it really isn't any more expensive at all to route the neck pickup from the rear, and the headstock design is just an unnecessary compromise visually.