Hello to all question about double neck electrics

[Dave Baisden]

Just registered, I been reading some of the threads. I have built 2 acoustic guitars and almost finished with the third. I am planning for my next build. I want to build a solid body electric and was thinking of taking on the challenge of a double neck 12/6.
I was wondering what problems some of you have encountered?
What kit are worth purchasing. Or do you have any you would recommend.
Thanks Dave

[Charlie Schultz]

Hi Dave,
Please note that we require real first & last names on this board. Please PM me or one of the mods and we'll fix your registration. Thanks!

[Mattia Valente]

I've never seen a double-neck kit as such. Warmoth sells a few bodies...

I've played with the idea of building one several times over the years, even drawn up a number of plans, but what keeps stopping me is the fact that besides looking cool, I very much doubt I'd actually play the thing very often, if at all. Issues to consider:

1. Weight. Look for low-weight tuners, e.g. Hispshot's open backed offerings. Or mix a headless set and a set of 6 string tuners
2. Balance. While the SG double necks look cool, even a normal SG can sometimes be poorly balanced due to strap placement. Add a 12 string neck and things can start going south fast.

The challenge largely lies in the design phase rather than the building one; other than the realities of needing to make 2 necks and setting them both up to play perfectly, actual construction isn't significantly different from a single neck electric. Making one that looks and plays and balances great is perhaps a different story....

[Jens Moller]

I have built a number of 6 string / bass double neck guitars - all have been neck heavy, but I have always used lightweight body woods (poplar is good for this, but it dents easily) to keep the guitar as light as possible. When I made my last one, it was the guitar I played 90% of the time (for a 5 hour gig, controlling the weight makes a big difference - that and using 4 inch guitar straps). I am putting together another one with a 5 string bass neck on it - I like having the low B available on the Bass neck.

[Dave Baisden]

Thanks for the comments, The kits I have looked at are on ebay.
Basswood body with maple necks. I am sure the hardware is less than
desirable.
I would like to look at a set of plans.
I have made all my tools and jigs for the acoustic guitar builds and
I thought I would try a kit for the solid body and the double neck guitars has always been an interest.
Dave

[Jim Bonnell]

http://www.guitarplansunlimited.com/ He's closed till the end of the month. I've always been please with his plans,

[Mattia Valente]

If you can build an acoustic, you can definitely build an electric (certainly simple slab bodied ones). I never quite understand the appeal of electric kits - you get to do all the 'annoying', fiddly stuff (wiring, finishing, sanding, more sanding, fret dressing, setup) and don't get the fun bits (turning a chunk of wood into an instrument).

[Dave Baisden]

Mattia, (never quite understand the appeal of electric kits - you get to do all the 'annoying', fiddly stuff (wiring, finishing, sanding, more sanding, fret dressing, setup) and don't get the fun bits (turning a chunk of wood into an instrument).
All of the above. I think kits are a good place to start and learn because there are a lot of pit falls that come with this hobby. I enjoy building and I think its the mechanics that drew me to this.
I started out building gun stocks then complete rifles and now guitars.
I also play the guitar, banjo, fiddle, and bass. I love all forms of music from pop to bluegrass, most metal and on and on.
I am an industrial mechanic by trade and have a tech degree n electronics.
thats who I am.
Dave

[Mattia Valente]

Well, it's precisely because you appear to build various types of wooden things, including some that involve a fair degree of carving, that I don't get why you'd want a kit instead of building from scratch

[Clay Schaeffer]

I think it was the part about the "pitfalls". With a kit these have hopefully been avoided.
Some people enjoy putting models together, and find an outlet for their creativity in perfecting the fit and finish. And as often as we advise people to build to a proven design for their first acoustic, why would it be any different for an electric?

[Dave Baisden]

Thanks, Mattia. I checked out some of the sites to purchase all the parts and found that the prices are all over the place.
The site that offers the plans "Warmoth" looks interesting. I will contact them and see what they have.
does any one know what the scale would be?
Thanks Dave