The Gibson EDS-1275 is a double neck Gibson electric guitar introduced in 1958 and still in production. Popularized and raised to iconic status by musicians such as John McLaughlin and Jimmy Page, it has been called "the coolest guitar in rock".
History
Gibson's first doubleneck guitars were produced from 1958 to 1961 with a hollow body and two 6-string necks, one being a short-scale neck tuned to a higher octave; from 1962 to 1967 it had a solid body. A model with a 4-string bass and a 6-string guitar neck was called the EBS-1250; it had a built-in fuzztone and was produced from 1962 to 1968 and again from 1977 to 1978.
In 1963, the solid-body EDS-1275 was designed, resembling the SG model; this version of the doubleneck was available until 1968. and Elvis Presley sports a cherry doubleneck in the 1966 movie Spinout.
John McLaughlin
In the early 1970s, jazz-rock musician John McLaughlin played an EDS-1275 in his first years with the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Charlie Whitney
Another guitar player who was known for playing the EDS-1275 was Charlie Whitney, the principal guitarist for the British underground band Family. Clips of Whitney performing with his EDS-1275 are readily available on YouTube from Family appearances on Beat-Club and The Old Grey Whistle Test, along with a similarly equipped (EBS-1250) John Wetton.
Jimmy Page
The EDS-1275 was popularized by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, most notably during live performances of "Stairway to Heaven." The doubleneck eliminated the need to switch guitars mid-song:
Page's influence was such that after him other guitarists picked up the EDS-1275, including Alex Lifeson of Rush, who used it to play the song "Xanadu" live. Eddie Van Halen also had one in his collection which he used live and in the studio on the track "Secrets" from Van Halen's album Diver Down (1982). Tommy Shaw of Styx had a custom double neck which had two 12-string necks which he used on the band's live performances from 1977 to 1983.
Don Felder
Don Felder's white EDS-1275 was most famously used for playing "Hotel California" live with the Eagles and now (via Gibson Custom Shop replicas) in solo shows. It can be seen in any number of clips from the mid to late 1970s. Felder customized his EDS-1275 by removing one of the pots (bridge pickup tone control) and replacing it with a second output. The Custom Shop also makes a Don Felder "Hotel California" signature model. New Gibson EDS-1275 and Epiphone G-1275 models feature longer 12-string headstocks than the original EDS-1275 and the "Hotel California" EDS-1275.
Signature models
Gibson released a Jimmy Page Signature EDS-1275 model in 2007; a total of 250 were made. Page kept serial number one for himself. Serial numbers 2 through 26 of these were played and signed by Page; number 11 was donated for auction to benefit a charitable cause.
In 2019, Gibson announced a black model for Slash.
Similar models
Epiphone
thumb|Epiphone G-1275
Epiphone, a Gibson subsidiary, makes a version of the classic doubleneck, marketing it as the G-1275.
Ibanez
Japanese guitar manufacturer Ibanez produced a model inspired by the Gibson, called the Double Axe, from 1974 to 1976. They were available as a 6/12, a 4/6, and a 6/6 configuration, in cherry and walnut finishes.
Harley Benton
German guitar manufacturer Harley Benton, which is the in-house brand for Thomann Music Store produces the 'DC-Custom 612 Cherry' doubleneck at an affordable price point. It features 6/12 configuration with 22 fret necks.