Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello all,
My name is PJ and I have been wanting to build this dream guitar (or should I say guitar/bass) for many years, but am by no means a carpenter and have no idea what goes into building stringed instruments.

I am looking to have, custom made obviously, an electric guitar. But this is no ordinary electric guitar - I want it to be a double neck guitar/bass. Ok, that sounds do-able... but I want it to be a 7 string guitar/6 string bass. Rather unusual, yes - but now for the achillies heel - I want it to be a hollow body.

Yes, you heard right. I am looking to have made the body of a hollow body (Like the Epiphone Sheraton II) 7-string guitar/6 string bass - and with wammie bars for both.

Is this possible? I am looking for a good luthier who could construct the pieces of the body for this project of mine where as I can supply the rest of what is needed for it.

Thank you much !
PJ

Other than the "gee that is cool looking" factor, why not just get two
instruments? I would be they would both sound better separate. But by
golly if you want one there is always someone out there who will take on
the project. Granted on this one that person is not me..Although I
probably could do it I think making a archtop 7 string and trying to make
a Bass guitar in the same body is counter productive...

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Well see that's just it. The fact that I wanted both in one instrument involves 2 things - one, a resonation between the two instruments for a type of sound all by itself (I have the details) and two, I would rather play the guitar part and the bass part when it's time for the notes to be played rather than have to wear 2 instruments.

Thanks for the input John!
PJ

I never really understood the purpose of a double-neck myself, but some people really like the idea.

If you were willing to go with a guitar built like a Gibson ES-335 which is solid down the middle and has a hollow body built around it, you might find more luthiers.

Yeah, that's do-able for me. That shouldn't interfere with the idea I had in mind.

Thanks Erik!
PJ

PJ,

You do know this is gonna cost a LOT, don't you? That being said, I'm sure you can find a custom builder that would make you a good one. Also, I hope you're into bulking up for this...I anticipate the instrument will weigh 15 - 20lbs, or more! Even a "hollow" body will have to be built with extra weight to counterbalance those hefty necks. Good luck!

Carlton

I bet price would run about 8-20K

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

and most likely in the higher end of that range!

or more. I was being conservative. A NICE archtop by itself can run over
10K easy

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Sounds like something Mike Doolin might take on...

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

[QUOTE=Don Williams] Sounds like something Mike Doolin might take on...[/QUOTE] Don, That is exactly who kame to my mind.

PJ this is very ambitious project and I have to say it has many pitfalls that only a luthier with major double neck experience should attempt. Like the others have said, be repaired to pay 10-20K and we are talking up front Most of the luthiers that have the expertise will require 100% up front before they will place your project in their build schedule, and the schedule may very well be an 18 or 24 month back log.

I am not trying to step on your dream guitar. I just want you to get repaired and focused toward what will be required of you to pull this off

Best of luck with this double headed axe. Keep us updated as to the progress, and I sure want to see this bad boy when done

Yeah I suspect you are right Michael.... I would think you would need 100% of that up front because it would be next to impossible to sell if the commission falls through somewhere along the line.

Good luck though with the guitar PJ. Let us know who you find to build it for you.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

PJ,
I can understand how you would want two instruments in one. I have made one for the same reasons.

You may want to figure a way to have the tuning hardware mounted on the body. this will save your back trying to hold the thing up from being too head heavy. This guitar was made of cherry as well and was a real boat anchor.
It Has great sustain though.
Good luck.

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

the cherry should float! seems more like a raft....

PJ if you don’t have any experience building instruments I would not recommend paying a fortune to have the body made and you supplying the neck and hardware yourself. Were you planning on finishing it yourself too, or having the builder do that? If you have one builder make the whole thing start to finish you will be much happier with the final product than if it was pieced together with parts from different people. If you search long enough you can probably find someone that will do a good job for a very reasonable cost. Though it will still cost a lot, you know.