Author Topic: Doubleneck Guitars/Basses, What for ? (Read 416 times)

scott · « **on:** March 26, 2004, 05:57:34 AM »

After seeing the post of the 70's advertisment for Jim Jorgeson, or whoever it was with the Doulbleneck 4 and 8 string Bass, I started wondering why people use doublenecks like 12 string guitars and a 4 string Bass, is there any famous songs where the 12-string guitarist decides to play a few bass notes, I am also interested in hearing any ridiculous combinations that people have came across from any company, such as a doubleneck mandolin and seven string guitar doubleneck, etc.

rami · « **Reply #1 on:** March 26, 2004, 06:52:56 AM »

Hi Scott,

That's the John Judge Doubleneck that you're referring to. I think doublenecks were most popular in the 70's and 80's. I've seen pictures of JPJ with some weird acoustic doubleneck that had a mandolin neck on it.

I think the only real point of doublenecks is that they look cool. You can't really play either neck comfortabley enough to make it your main instrument. They're also prohibitively heavy. They're great for sustain due to their sheer mass, but really impractical.

Oh yeah, there's also that phallic symbol aspect to them...

(Message edited by rami on March 26, 2004)

bracheen · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2004, 07:11:43 AM »

Scott, I think the weirdest one I've seen is Rick Nielson's 6 neck Hamer. Or is it 5 neck?

Sam

senmen · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2004, 07:31:55 AM »

Sam,
Ricks multi-neck guitars have 5 necks. There are two existing, the older orange one and a newer checkerboard style one.
Also he has the famous double neck with name Uncle Dick.....

Oliver (Spyderman)

kenbass4 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2004, 08:06:39 AM »

Scott,

If you've ever heard older Genesis stuff ('72 through about '77) Mike Rutherford had a 4 str Bass/ 12 string guitar. There were sections of a song he would play bass pedals with the 12 string, and then switch to bass for other sections. Selling England By The Pound had alot of this on it, particularly Firth Of Fifth and Cinema Show

Ken (TEO)

u14steelgtr · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2004, 11:01:15 AM »

Well Scott; in the realm of ridiculous combinations there are the Pikasso instruments that Linda Manzer built for some pop/jazz player. As I recall she has pictures of a couple of her Pikasso instruments on her web site Manzer.com.

I must say the following in defense of Linda; Linda is a superb Luthier that I have the utmost respect for. But she does push the limits of conventional construction every so often. If a person were only half the luthier that she is that person would still an exceptional luthier.

The Pikasso instruments are multi-necked instruments that are also akin to a harp guitar.

Regards
--E

See a picture of Linda's Pikasso I at this Link:
http://www.manzer.com/media/manzerjpg/15.m293.jpg

(Message edited by u14steelgtr on March 26, 2004)

the_schwartz · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2004, 12:13:43 PM »

Linda Manzer built the 42-string Pikasso guitar for jazz great Pat Metheny. He uses it on Into the Dream, which can be found on the Imaginary Day CD. He also recorded two live versions, one on Jim Hall & Pat Metheny and one on Trio ->Live. He accompanies himself, playing bass lines on one neck while strumming on the other necks, which have open-chord tunings.

Joe

keavin · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2004, 05:00:58 AM »

double necks & and twelve or multistring things are all like 'dream toys',they are just tools of the ones trade, (and of course they do look good), and however, people who have them use them for that purpose, they know when & how to play them .

oujeebass · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2004, 06:45:07 PM »

There is a practicality to a double neck in a performance setting but beyond that.. not much good to them.

goatfoot · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2004, 05:26:39 AM »

I can see the practicality of a fretted/fretless doubleneck, or a 4/8 string doubleneck for a performance. But I don't really see the use for a bass/guitar doubleneck, Mike Rutherford excepted. Definately cool looking though.

Kevin

keavin · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2004, 05:37:52 AM »

in one way its a form of 'showcasing' your toy on stage, because it will draw attention. (ever seen a rollsroyce in a parking lot???)

keavin · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2004, 05:52:01 AM »

theres alot of people who plays two instruments at once,stanley jordan, pat matheney,victor wooten,just to name a few,its called the 'piano approach'.

max_webster · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2004, 06:24:43 PM »

Back in the seventies, Rush would come out with a white Gibson 12-6 and a black Ric 4-6. That was the best visual use of dualling double-necks! Geddy at least continued to use his double Ric, tunes like A Passage to Bangkok and Xanadu used rhythm guitar over Taurus pedals.

I saw Jonas Hellborg use a home made Fretted`Fretless 4 during his solo. That was amazing.

Rick's original 5 neck had a fretless, unlined guitar in the lowest position! That bad boy got ripped of year's ago, don't know if he ever got it back.

Then of course there was Jimmy Page, nuff said.

dannobasso · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2004, 06:40:51 PM »

Because it's friggin' cool! You can still order many brands of doubles. I saw Rush and Jonas (Wal). Now that I'm a committed Alembic freak I'd have to get one if I was to get any. After I saw Geddy I wanted a Ric double in the worst way. (pre 83 Spoiler days)
I did get some Taurus II's because of Lee, Wetton , Rutherford etc. I still have 2 sets of Roland PK5 midi pedals with modules. Why? because it sounds cool, looks cool and the shooting pains that goe up your left leg while balancing all your weight plus an Alembic 6 builds character.
Danno

keavin · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2004, 06:43:38 PM »

yeah max, what are you thumpin on?, got any photos?