Rare Double-Neck Epiphone G-1275

The history of the double-neck guitar dates back to the late 1600's when French Luthier Nicholas Voboame Alexander II is said to have pioneered the first known version. Nearly 300 years later, Gibson introduced their first double-neck electric guitar, the 1962 EDS-1275. The purpose was to allow musicians to switch from 12 to 6 strings without a clumsy mid-song guitar change. With only modest sales success, in 1968 the guitar was discontinued though, over the years, Gibson has reissued it more than once.

While never selling in great quantities, the 1275 has nonetheless become an iconic instrument with incomparable stage presence. They have been used by a number of well known musicians though none more notably than than the great Jimmy Page who would famously play the guitar during live performances of Stairway to Heaven (AND other Zeppelin classics incl The Rain Song, Gallows Pole and The Song Remains The Same).

In a 2008 survey conducted by musician's website Gigwise, Jimmy Page's 1275 double-neck was voted "The Coolest Guitar in Rock" (!).

Other memorable 1275 users included Eddie Van Halen, Don Felder (on Hotel California), Chicago bluesman Earl Hooker, John McLaughlin, Slash (on G&R's Knockin' on Heaven's Door), Steve Howe of Yes, Metallica's James Hatfield (on Nothing Else Matters), Paul Stanley of Kiss, Def Leopard's Steve Clark, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Steve Miller (on Jet Airliner), and even Elvis who sported a cherry-red double-neck in the 1966 movie Spinout.

You can buy a new Gibson 1275 online today for $7,999 (plus tax). Used ones seem to start at around $6k. Vintage ones are in the teens and $20's. Last month, Gibson announced an upcoming Jimmy Page Collector Edition 1275 that you can pre-order now ... for $50,000.

OR ...

… for a fraction of the cost, you can have the look, sound and playability in an Epiphone G-1275 like this one. These spot-on Gibson Corp-built versions were produced, on-and-off, between 1996 and 2019.

This particular double-neck is a 2003 model. It is all stock and, overall, is in Good+ condition. Two flaws: there is a 1/2" split in the body at the neck heal that appears to have been repaired (and a hint of one on the other side) and, strangely, the last 2 or 3 digits of the serial number on the back of the headstock have been painted over(?).

Most importantly, the guitar looks, plays and sounds great. Comes with its original case in good working condition, albeit with a number of bruises and one broken latch.

Not only versatile, these guitars are surprisingly easy to play with a design that allows comfortable access to the upper frets. Of course, they have a terrific look and an incomparable stage presence. If you grew up with classic rock, you've seen/heard these memorable double-neck 1275s. They add so much sonically and are so fun to play that they are worth bringing to your gigs not to mention they are definitely crowd pleasers. (You’ll find that random strangers feel the need to gush about your guitar to you on break or after a gig). Bands love the sound versatility, crowds love the look and the songs that use them definitely make these a joy to play.