Prince’s custom-built Yellow Cloud Guitar, serial number PM 16644, has been purchased by noted guitar collector Jim Irsay for $137,500.
The bright yellow solid-body electric guitar features all gold hardware, including Schaller tuners, a Floyd Rose Original tremolo, with single volume and tone knobs with a three-way switch and two EMG pickups (bridge humbucker and single coil). The 22-fret fingerboard is adorned on the front and sides with a variation on Prince's Love symbol.
On the back of the guitar is a label that reads "Property of PRN MUSIC CORP. PM 16644." It includes a custom hardshell case.
The guitar and case are accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Zeke Clark, Prince's former guitar technician and seven Prince guitar picks in different designs and colors. The neck has been expertly repaired, Heritage Auctions said, and the guitar is otherwise excellent in appearance.
"This Yellow Cloud guitar was Prince’s main guitar and used in most of his early videos, touring performances and album recordings from around 1988 to 1994,” said Clark, according to Heritage Auctions. “In 1994, he broke the neck of this guitar at a French TV show. After returning to the U.S.A., I repaired the neck and installed the first Floyd Rose setup Prince ever played and then used in recording more albums, up until the symbol guitar was born. After the symbol guitar, he wanted 24 additional cloud guitars made to be sold at his outlet store. The Floyd Rose Yellow Cloud serial P.M. 16644 and case P.M. 16643 was the first.”