Dave Rusan was a young aspiring musician in his early 20s, who worked in his local music shop in Minneapolis repairing guitars. One day Prince's manager walked into the store and asked Dave's manager to tell him he had a unique assignment for him - make a distinctive, one of a kind guitar for a movie that Prince would star in. In part 2 of this unique interview, Dave tells us what it felt like as it dawned on him that he would become part of music history forever. Essential for lovers of Prince's music but also for music lovers and rock historians.
Intro
1mins30s - Wishing he could have spoken to Prince during the making of his Cloud guitar, the instrument specs, and making something great instinctually.
3mins30s - Guitar specific questions for Dave on the Cloud guitar and how it was made - how much was stock, and what was bespoke?
5mins - Prince and his heavy strings, and Takumi the guitar tech.
6mins20s - One month and a half to come up with a world famous guitar!
9mins30s - Wendy Melvoin's clear body guitar...and the story behind it.
12mins - Sam asks Dave how he felt when he first saw Prince play the guitar in the movie...and also when he first saw Prince playing the cloud guitar live.
13mins - sitting in on the Purple Rain rehearsals with Prince 'every day was exciting'
15mins - going to Paisley Park, and taking part in 'the Celebrations'
18mins - How did Dave feel when Prince passed away? "I couldn't say anything, I was just speechless..."
21mins - The Prince Estate asking Dave to give up the trademark on his guitar design.
25mins - Which Minneapolis musicians did you get to know along the way?
26mins30s - Still making the signature White Cloud guitar, and taking orders from around the world.
30mins - Meeting other Prince guitar makers, and knowing a network of musicians.
33mins - What happened to the original cloud guitars that Dave made?