Stage-used custom ‘golden’ snare drum, 14˝ x 3.5˝, used by both Sheila E. and Prince throughout their back-to-back Sign o' the Times and Lovesexy Tours of 1987 and 1988, consisting of 14.5˝ Yamaha Power Hoops and a coated off-white Remp Ambassador drumhead, with the golden shell bearing a Yamaha parts label that reads: “Model SD493, Ser. No., OJ-8108.” In fine condition, with expected light wear.
In an eBay auction held in 2005, Sheila E. sold her custom drum kit that she used during Prince’s Sign o' the Times and Lovesexy Tours to noted Australian music retailer Allans Music, which featured the kit—and this offered snare drum—as a centerpiece in the new ‘Drums and Percussion’ department at their flagship store located at 152 Bourke Street in Melbourne. Photos of the kit taken at Allans Music in January 2006 are included, as is a letter of provenance from the drum kit’s former owner: “In August 2012, Allans Music was placed into receivership and in November 2012, the business and its assets were liquidated. At that time, I was an employee of Allans Music. I made an offer to acquire the original Prince/Sheila E. Yamaha Recording Custom Sign O' the Times/Lovesexy Tour drum kit…directly from the liquidators, which was accepted.”
