Sick Again

 

Time off for the holidays and being sick equals a short absence but with that here’s a nifty find related to the two previous posts – a doubleneck baritone and guitar.  Elvis played this in the movie ‘Spinout’ (cardboard cutouts available online).  I might just have to acquire/make one….

The pics are from various people’s visits to Graceland (definitely on a place to visit).  The story of how the guitar got to the movie/Elvis is a little murky but what is known is that he went home with it and afterwards played it often.  But what we do know about it is that it’s a Gibson Custom Shop model from 1965/66.  It has no designation (like sister guitar EDS-1275 for example) that I can find and it has trapezoid inlays instead of the slashes as well.  What is also unusual is the vibrato as you don’t usually see that on a Gibson doubleneck (other makers usually put on a bigsby and Fender isn’t known for doublenecks…)  It also has humbuckers all around and no giant sidewinder pickup.  And I keep referring to the larger side as a baritone but it might considered bass (it’s 30”) so that’s upto interpretation plus it kept the elephant ear tuners.  I’m surprised this model hasn’t caught on more (if it where actually in production).  For the contemperary version, here’s Joe Bonnamassa’s doubleneck MusicMan in action.

Ramble On

I was just poking around the web and this came across my lap(top) via the mylespaul forums – a baritone guitar of the DIY variety.  It’s owner says it started life as a 1961 EB-0 bass, 4 strings of course with a 30” scale. The owner swapped out the bridge for a wraparound (I would have found an adjustable wraparound or use a badass bridge but I digress…) and doweled the original tuner holes, put in some klusons and a P90.  This may sound invasive and scary for a vintage instrument but apparently the neck was bolted on with a fender neckplate and the original pickup are hacked up to fit some other monster pickup.  So this is an improvement.  I like this DIY mentality of taking something and tweaking it not only to make it playable but make it unique as baritone guitars aren’t exactly readily available as import strat copies.

with sister SG

Note previous bridge holes

Gibson did make a 6 string baritone albeit briefly in the form of the EB-6 with PAF humbuckers and a 30” scale.  This one is from 1965.












For those new to baritone guitars (I’ve never played one – working on remedying that) it’s a guitar with a longer neck than a guitar but shorter than bass, usually around 30” (also see Wikipedia).  Fender did come out with a subsonic series a few years back that came in at about 27” (Jaguar shown) which was a bit of update from their 60s Bass VI.  You can even order the 27” conversion neck online (think warmoth, allparts) and swap out your Fender type neck.
For sounds check out youtube or think of spaghetti westerns (like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly) they usually had a baritone guitar used. 
Surf music was also fond of these oddities. 



The first to come out with a baritone guitar was Danelectro with the UB2 in 1957.  Epiphone also put out a baritone Les Paul a while back, no photo needed it’s a big Les Paul lol.

And of course a custom shop Telecaster Bajo Sexto circa 1998 used by Jimmy Page for Embryo and in “it Might Get Loud'’. Note this Jaguar tremolo and roller bridge along with with blade humbuckers.



For even more info check out TheBaritoneGuitar

Whole Lotta Necks

I'm a big fan of doubleneck guitars, called twinneck in Europe sometimes (pedal steel, bass/guitar, mando/guitar, baritone/guitar is another story).  I own two 6/12's in the Gibson Style, a white 70s Ibanez and a red 90s Epiphone, both bolt on necks.  Gibson has been the main proponent in the doubleneck world with their EDS-1275 although at one time it was a special order, however Jimmy Page seems to have put it back into production for them.  With the humbuckers on both necks, it is surprisingly jangly and very versatile.  It hangs well for it's shape,size and weight -12 lbs give or take depending on the model.  Many players use them, Pete Townshend has one (with a crooked 12 string neck), Alex Lifeson, Slash, Jeff Martin, Earl Hooker, Tom Morello... a short list, just google doubleneck and you'll get tons more players all playing an EDS 1275.

A favourite blog of mine -Guitarz-, recently showed a Fender custom shop doubleneck (Electric XII with telecaster) that looks pretty sharp - even with different horns on it.  I've always found the EDS-1275 style to be very balanced looking and pleasing whereas Fender doublenecks (custom shop or home brew) seem to be wonky, and perhaps it's the different headstocks throwing me off... But this gem is for sale over at Vintage And Rare. 







An example of extreme wonkiness are the Mosrite guitars, but that's their shtick...  And if a Mosrite was good enough for Johnny Ramone...  You'll also notice I've stayed away from many 'pointy' guitars for the same reasons.  They have their place (and I didn't mind the 80s) and I like them too, however I like classic shapes, ideas and balance for this particular post.

Back to balanced... The Danelectro 6/12.  This model like all Danos came with lipstick pickups and rosewood bridge.  The semi hollow body combined with said pickups made this a bright guitar.  I had to opportunity to play a white reissue quite a few years back and was offered the chance to buy it! (I'm still grumbling that I didn't buy it)

More eye candy.

Rickenbacker 6/12 string

Gretsch 6/12 Duo Jet

Ibanez Artwood Twin as played by John McLaughlin

Ace Frehley's custom shop 6/12 for the Kiss Reunion

A keychain, but nice looking design for a doubleneck Les Paul

For more doubleck craziness head over to Ed Roman Guitars.  And next time perhaps a look a acoustic doublenecks or the hybrid acoustic/electric - and I'm not talking about adding a piezo....

What is and Should Never be....

Some songs that never were but sound great anyways.  (As you can tell I'm a classic rock fan)

Elvis covering AC/DC s 'Whole Lotta Rosie'

Elvis covering The Rolling Stones' 'Sympathy For The Devil'

And for the Christmas Lovers... Some Guns N Roses 'White Christmas'

And The Doors does Christmas!

and with the Doors, I've got to add in two personal favourite parodies.

Weird Al - Craigslist  (With Ray Manzarek!)

Jimmy Fallon - The Doors - Reading Rainbow ... which NBC removed from youtube and apparently ever other video spot on the web.  Congratulations NBC lawyers.  This video which was readily available a week ago was a real pain to find.  The highlight though is New York's tribute band 'The Soft Parade' providing the musical chops.

Jimmy Fallon - Doors - Reading Rainbow

And to round it out a little Stairway... by the Doors. 

Tea for one

Greetings!
I've started this just to share some things I find interesting, made or just want to share.  They'll tend to be music related as I have an penchant for anything guitar related.  Previously I've done this on Facebook but that really isn't the best place for this sort of thing.