Jump directly to the content
PRINCELY SUM

‘Lost’ guitar used by Prince on Purple Rain tour tipped to sell for £1million after hospital scan shows it’s genuine

A GUITAR used by Prince on his Purple Rain tour could sell for £1million after a hospital scan proved its history.

The electric blue axe was one of four “cloud” guitars — featuring iconic curls at the top — made for the 1984-85 gigs.

The guitar was repaired many times and painted several colours so Los Angeles auctioneer Julien’s arranged a CAT scan to see if it matched fixes
4
The guitar was repaired many times and painted several colours so Los Angeles auctioneer Julien’s arranged a CAT scan to see if it matched fixesCredit: prince.com
The guitar used by Prince on his Purple Rain tour could sell for £1million
4
The guitar used by Prince on his Purple Rain tour could sell for £1million Credit: Getty Images

This one vanished in the 1990s until last year.

The owner was given it by Prince but was not aware of its exact history.

The guitar was repaired many times and painted several colours so Los Angeles auctioneer Julien’s arranged a CAT scan to see if it matched fixes.

It has previously been white, peach, light blue, yellow, then finally electric blue.

The sale is next Friday and Julien’s Martin Nolan said: “The owners of the other three Cloud guitars won’t be selling soon so this opportunity may never come up again.

“There is no ceiling to how well it could do.”

Of the four Cloud guitars used by Prince, one was given away as a competition prize, one is privately owned and the other is held at the Smithsonian Museum in New York.

The guitar vanished in the 1990s until last year
4
The guitar vanished in the 1990s until last yearCredit: Bournemouth News
Plate confirming the guitar's credentials
4
Plate confirming the guitar's credentialsCredit: Bournemouth News
Prince performs Purple Rain live

GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]

Topics