Gibson EDS-1275 Double Neck

Excellent – A true icon in every sense of the word, and not just a plaything. It is a real musician's tool, but make sure you get a decent stand for it, as it doesn't balance too well when left standing. Is it worth nearly $6,000? That's debatable, but only thanks to the taxman. It sells for US$3,900 in the States! That aside, I love mine, and it was worth the 37 year wait. Great looks, great sound.... what more could you ask for? Mine is from the Gibson Custom Shop, and is flawlessly finished in Heritage Cherry. The colour is a little lighter on the necks due to the use of Maple instead of Mahogany. I imagine this was done to even out the overall balance a little, as the older ones were a bit top heavy. The body is the usual slab of Mahogany, fitted with matching sets of pickups on both necks. A 490R at the neck, and a hotter 498T at the bridge. A great jazz tone can be found on the 6 string neck pickup with the tone rolled off, but that's not the sound that most players would be chasing. Let's just say that if you want to sound like Jimmy Page, then this is the guitar for you (if you have $5,500 to spare!) Don't listen to the nay-sayers who call it a monstrosity; they obviously haven't played one. The frets are run through the PLECK machine that Gibson use nowadays on their better models, and it really shows. Two super-fast slim necks (perhaps a fraction too slim at the nut for a 12-string, I might add), far better balanced than you'd think at first sight, and a tone to die for. It's taken me since 1972 to find the money to lay down on this beauty, but it was worth the wait. My comment on the 12-string nut spacing is only due to my overly big fingers, but it's amazing how quickly you adapt to it. Not unlike the width of a Rickenbacker 12, if you're familiar with that model.

Summing up; Beautifully cut nuts, a full range of tones from first class electronics, and well constructed in the usual Custom Shop fashion. I could go on, but let's just say that it deserves its iconic status, and it sure is a talking piece!

Beautifully matching case, too. Nut could be wider (Strangely, it's not as wide as it's cheaper Epiphone counterpart).

Strap buttons could be sturdier.

D'Addario seems to be the only company making 10-46 matched sets for the 12 string neck. All the others are far too light.