The Auerswald Cleo is a custom bass used by Prince in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Like the Model C, it was built by German luthier Jerry Auerswald. Prince acquired it in the late 1980s and it was used to record the Batman album. It appears in the accompanying videos to the album, fitting in with the film’s aesthetic. Prince can be seen playing it in studio footage of the Batman sessions, playing the bass part to Partyman.
Prince bought the bass back for the Welcome 2 America era, appearing on the album cover and in promotional materials for the tour. The bass is currently in the collection at Paisley Park and appears in the Prince - Guitar & Bass book.
