LOVE SYMBOL GUITAR
Perhaps the most standout guitar model in
Prince’s stable is the Love Symbol. Originally
built by German luthier Jerry Auerswald, the
original was made from antique maple and
painted gold. It is a neck-through design with
24 frets, a 24 ¾-inch scale, and the same EMG
pickups as the Cloud guitars. The bridge was
made by Jerry and was equipped with Schaller
M6 machine heads.
Two copies of the Love Symbol guitar were
built by the man’s techs—a white and a black
one. These were made from mahogany and as
such, they were not very durable, especially
considering that Prince loved to throw his guitar
up in the air and let it crash to the stage. As such,
the lower horn on the white model
has been
reglued. Other models of the
Symbol were built by Schecter
in its USA facility, with one being
equipped with a Floyd Rose.
These are the most recognizable
guitars in Prince’s stable but he
has also played a Les Paul Jr.
covered with fake fur, a Lake
Placid Blue Stratocaster, Dark
Blue Telecaster with flowers, a
George Benson autographed
Ibanez archtop, and Auerswald
Model C guitars equipped with
sustain bows.
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