What is a Double Neck Electric Guitar?

An electric guitar with two necks is called a double neck guitar. Usually, it has a 12-string on the top and 6-string on the bottom. Making two guitars into one first started with the hollow-body acoustic guitars.

In 1962, the solid-body design came out by Gibson. Not many were made after the 60’s until Jimmy Page rocked one in concert while playing “Stairway To Heaven” and several other Led Zeppelin tunes.

Not only did his Gibson ED-1275 look cool, but the Zeppelin classic requires a quick switch from a 12-string to a 6-string without having to switch guitars, so it was practical as well. Sales of the double neck soared soon after and several rock stars dared to pick up this cumbersome instrument including;

• Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick
• Robbie Robertson of The Band
• Mike Rutherford of Genesis
• Pete Townshend of The Who
• Joe Walsh and Don Felder of The Eagles
• Steve Howe and Chris Squire of Yes
• Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee of Rush
• Jeff Cook of Alabama

Not all double necks are 12 and 6-string, some such as a 6-string and bass, a 6-string with fret and its fretless version have been made. The multi-neck idea doesn’t stop at just two necks. “The Beast” is a six neck guitar with a 12-string, 7-string, 5-string, and 4-string bass with two 6-string guitars all on one instrument. For those keeping record, that’s 40 strings. Keep in mind that these instruments get heavy in a hurry before you try running around on stage with one.

See - Types of Guitar