| A double neck guitar looks like a set of Siamese | | | | instruments. Some models eve have three, four or |
| twins. With two separate and distinct necks and a | | | | five necks. Such guitars only increase the variety of |
| single, wider-than-average body, the instrument really | | | | music that can be played on a "single" instrument. |
| does appear to be two independent entities joined | | | | Although double neck guitars have traditionally been |
| by a common body. This description is, in fact, not | | | | simply standard electric guitars, bass instruments |
| too far from the truth. The benefit of the double | | | | have gained popularity in recent years. Double neck |
| neck guitar is that it essentially allows the musician | | | | bass guitars are often tuned differently, an approach |
| access to more than one instrument at a time. To | | | | that significantly widens the player's range. Other |
| take the most common example, consider the typical | | | | models vary the use of frets or the number of |
| double neck guitar. This instrument has one neck with | | | | strings. A more unusual approach is to have a double |
| twelve strings and one with six. The musician can, at | | | | neck instrument with one neck set up as a standard |
| any point during his or her performance, choose to | | | | electric guitar and the other set up as a bass guitar. |
| switch between the two necks. This freedom of | | | | The double neck guitar is, needless to say, rather |
| choice allows him or her to double the kind of music | | | | startling in appearance. This no doubt contributes to |
| he or she can produce. Hence, to play the double | | | | its popularity with a number of musicians in famous |
| neck guitar is to essentially play two instruments not | | | | bands. After all, not only does the double neck guitar |
| simultaneously, but at least back-to-back. | | | | allow the artist to increase his musical variety, it also |
| The concept of the double neck guitar is not a new | | | | ensures that a great number of people will be staring |
| one. Instruments similar to this have been around for | | | | at his instrument. These musicians are usually |
| at least a few hundred years. A double neck version | | | | bassists, and they include Jimmy Page of Led |
| of the Russian guitar, for example, was popular in the | | | | Zeppelin, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Slash of Guns N' |
| beginning of the 19th century. Today, however, | | | | Roses, Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi and Eddie Van |
| double neck guitars are generally Western-style | | | | Halen of Van Halen. |
| electric instruments. As mentioned, the most | | | | It should be mentioned that while the harp guitar is a |
| common models have twelve strings on the top neck | | | | relative of the double neck guitar, the two |
| and six strings on the bottom. However, some | | | | instruments are not the same. The harp guitar |
| versions have six strings on one neck and only four | | | | features unstopped strings that are designed to be |
| on the other. Fretted instruments are most common, | | | | plucked like those of a harp. The double neck guitar's |
| but sometimes only one neck will be fretted and the | | | | strings, on the other hand, are invariably meant to be |
| other fretless. In fact, almost any combination of | | | | played like those of a guitar. |
| guitar characteristics is possible with these | | | | |