How do you use your double-neck?

Posted by Lane Martin on December 2, 2016 at 4:20pm

I've been kicking around the idea of a double neck instrument for a while now, first inspired by Daniel Culbert's quad-neck uke. I've got several ideas running through my head (I know, I know...BUILD THEM ALL! lol) like three-string slide and four-string fretted, two sizes of ukulele, one neck guitar, the other bass, etc.

If you've built one, what did you build and how do you use it in a performance setting? and performance is anything from a weekly jam group to actually getting paid to play.

I think by getting actual examples of how people use their doubles, it'll help me decide which way to go (with the first one.)

Thanks.

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Replies

  • Fomhorach December 2, 2016 at 8:54pm

    Mine is a 25" fretted CBG and a 22" baritone ukulele. The thing I did with mine was to mirror the fret distances down both necks from the third string and keep string distance from each other the same on both necks. It keeps it all finger friendly if everything is the same. It's a gas to play. Much fun can be had from one instrument with two open string combinations.

    Website won't let me post a photo direct so I'll add a couple to let you have a peek.

    20161110_133510-01.jpeg

    20161110_133425-01.jpeg

    • Lane Martin > Fomhorach December 2, 2016 at 9:27pm
      Nice. Smart lining up the frets to keep it easy on the fingers.
  • jamie bark December 2, 2016 at 8:51pm

    I built one a couple years ago and sold it by mistake. Both necks were fretted. Bottom neck was the bottom 4 strings in standard tuning, D-G-b-e for solos, more range, etc... the top neck was tuned to an open E chord, for easy power chords. I had rod pups and a single vol knob so they were both always on. Worked really slick. Gonna build another one this winter- and keep it this time!

    • Lane Martin > jamie bark December 2, 2016 at 9:29pm
      Thanks, Jamie
  • the anonymous pick December 2, 2016 at 4:53pm

    recently made a double necker swamp witch  for Anthony . out of all our  choices   , we agreed to  keep it pretty  simple in it's usability . 4  high strings up top and  3 low  on the bottom  both slides , yet sounds like 2 guitars  . 

    if a couch performance counts . here's an example  of him messin with it  .

    • the anonymous pick > the anonymous pick December 2, 2016 at 5:25pm

      let it also be said , it is not law  that you have to play  both necks in the same setting  / song .  some folks   order a  2 necker   just for the best of their both worlds  in  one guitar  ,  ie:slide   and a fretted  .. or    whatever  and only have to buy  one guitar  .   it also saves  guitar  change  time between songs  on stage  etc  . separating the 2  between songs  also  avoids  trying to  pull off  your slide with your  hip in a frantic hurry   or flicking your  wrist to   get it off , and  hitting  your drummer  in the head  ;-)

       etc.... etc etc  . 

      there is also the   sympathetic strings   option   to consider . 

      etc etc . 

    • Lane Martin > the anonymous pick December 2, 2016 at 7:39pm
      That'sounds kind of what I was thinking, pick. Two guitars, two tunings or something. I guess if I found the right box (or made it) I could even do one "regular" electric, one resonator. Thanks.
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