A funny picture I found of Mike Rutherford of Genesis

[Blazer]

If there's one guy associated with crazy double neck instruments it's Mike Rutherford. And to his credit he used them to very good effect on Genesis' shows where the prog tunes needed him switching from guitar to bass in one song.

The picture I found is from the band's early days and it shows Rutherford with a Rickenbacker 360/12 and a Rickenbacker 4001 bass ducktaped together.

He later had luthier Dick Knight attach the two instruments together in a permanent way, although Knight at first declared Rutherford crazy for coming up with the concept in the first place.

But this picture of before the two instruments were bonded together DOES clear up a couple of things: First, Rutherford owned a double bound 360/12 and a 4001S bass both in sunburst, it was widely assumed that both were used in the creation of that double neck. That picture is proof that that wasn't the case. Two different instruments, most likely his back ups were used.

 

[Jumbotronic]

Man, that setup with the two taped together looks awkward! Great player, though. He really had a vision for that thing, didn't he?

 

[Blazer]

Man, that setup with the two taped together looks awkward! Great player, though. He really had a vision for that thing, didn't he?

He sure did. And kept that vision of combining a 12 string guitar and a Bass in double neck for as long as Genesis toured.

This custom Shergold is probably his best known twin neck and this one had a party trick up its sleeve. Because...

Yup, you could take that one apart and play the halves as separate autonomous instruments. and moving it (them?) during tours was easier since you didn't need an oversized case to put it (them?) in.

I once played a Shergold double neck like that one and it was like strapping on a grand piano.

Rutherford playing a double neck Status Graphite in the eighties.

His most recent one marries a Gibson EDS 1275 with a Yamaha TRB4 bass.

 

[Mad Kiwi]

Awesome, great post.

 

[Blazer]

"Squonk" live in 1980 with Rutherford using his Shergold.

 

[John C]

I assume Mike had these made so he could get the guitar neck on top; factory Ric doubleneck guitar & bass models had the bass neck on top. Geddy Lee has a few of those.

 

[Edsel Presley]

I assume Mike had these made so he could get the guitar neck on top; factory Ric doubleneck guitar & bass models had the bass neck on top. Geddy Lee has a few of those.

I never understood why they always put the bass on top.

 

[memorex]

 

[You-Tele-Me]

That Shergold seems the best solution of all. Double when you need it and separate instruments when you don't.

The original photo would appear to be a 'proof of concept' moment possibly to achieve a quick change during a recording session. It could have also been a demonstration of the fact that they didn't need to replace Anthony Phillips.

(edit) It also shows that those who wish a different configuration needn't despair; pick the two you want and arrange them any way you like.

 

[John C]

Actually Rutherford always played guitar; he started doubling on bass before they started recording. Phillips, Rutherford and Tony Banks all played acoustic 12-string guitar in odd tunings on Trespass. But I think that Rutherford and Banks start scaling back on their guitar playing as time goes on.

I have an old 1980 Guitar Player magazine where they interview Rutherford during the Duke tour - he talks about the Shergold having 3 guitar necks (I think 2 12-strings and six string but that could be reversed) to handle the different tunings. He could then swap out the guitar portion and have the bass as the "foundation".

I never understood why they always put the bass on top.

I agree - that always looked awkward to me. I don't think that Geddy Lee ever used the guitar part; I almost think that he just got a double neck to look cool on Xanadu when Alex plays his Gibson double neck.

 

[Steve Ouimette]

He's a manly man. That is no mere feat to be carrying around something like that back then, but at this point in life? Much respect!

 

[Blazer]

Actually Rutherford always played guitar; he started doubling on bass before they started recording. Phillips, Rutherford and Tony Banks all played acoustic 12-string guitar in odd tunings on Trespass. But I think that Rutherford and Banks start scaling back on their guitar playing as time goes on.

Yup that's true, the first two Genesis albums "From Genesis to revelation" and "Tresspass" (GREAT album by the way Anthony Phillips' playing was top notch) showed them all experimenting with odd tunings on their 12 strings guitars.

From "Nursery Cryme" on when Steve Hackett joined the fold the three guitar attack was brought down more although "The Musical box" still displayed that intricate interweaving interplay they had. And it also showcases Rutherford delivering powerchords on his Ricky 360/12 which would do Pete Townshend proud.

He later would tune down the high E strings of his 12 string guitars to create those atmospheric sounds and not having to change his finger positions that much.

I have an old 1980 Guitar Player magazine where they interview Rutherford during the Duke tour - he talks about the Shergold having 3 guitar necks (I think 2 12-strings and six string but that could be reversed) to handle the different tunings. He could then swap out the guitar portion and have the bass as the "foundation".

Correct.
image removed
Although as this picture shows, it had FOUR necks.

The six string neck had its pickups replaced because this picture of the ABACAB tour shows the original single coils it came with.

I agree - that always looked awkward to me. I don't think that Geddy Lee ever used the guitar part; I almost think that he just got a double neck to look cool on Xanadu when Alex plays his Gibson double neck.

Actually, when Alex does the solo on that song, Geddy DOES use the guitar half of his twin necked Ricky, using Taurus bass pedals to fill up the low end.

 

[Blazer]

I almost forgot...

Note that the six string is a bottom half, So he could have made a 12-6 double neck if he wanted to.

 

[grooveiron]

I never understood why they always put the bass on top.

Because guitarists sling 'em low and bass players are prissy? [emoji38]

 

[24 track]

Because guitarists sling 'em low and bass players are prissy? [emoji38]

I know exactly what you mean!

 

[24 track]

Cool thread thanks for posting, I had seen genisis several times in the past but never realy paid attention to the equipment, I was in awe of the show

 

[John C]

Yup that's true, the first two Genesis albums "From Genesis to revelation" and "Tresspass" (GREAT album by the way Anthony Phillips' playing was top notch) showed them all experimenting with odd tunings on their 12 strings guitars.

From "Nursery Cryme" on when Steve Hackett joined the fold the three guitar attack was brought down more although "The Musical box" still displayed that intricate interweaving interplay they had. And it also showcases Rutherford delivering powerchords on his Ricky 360/12 which would do Pete Townshend proud.

He later would tune down the high E strings of his 12 string guitars to create those atmospheric sounds and not having to change his finger positions that much.


Correct.
image removed
Although as this picture shows, it had FOUR necks.

The six string neck had its pickups replaced because this picture of the ABACAB tour shows the original single coils it came with.

Actually, when Alex does the solo on that song, Geddy DOES use the guitar half of his twin necked Ricky, using Taurus bass pedals to fill up the low end.

Ah - it's been a long time since I watched a video of Xanadu live; I never noticed that Geddy had switched to the guitar neck. I never got to catch them live.

If I'm remembering my Genesis history correctly "The Musical Box" was written (and had been performed by the band as a 4-piece) before Hackett joined the band; supposedly there are even some parts recorded by the guy they had in the band briefly (named Bernard?) between Phillips and Hackett. So it makes sense that one is the old-school Trespass sound.

 

[You-Tele-Me]

I notice that on Rutherford's most recent double neck, the top horn of the body is above the 12th fret of the Gibson neck. That should have the neck dive gone as it would be well past the centre of gravity.

 

[AAT65]

If there's one guy associated with crazy double neck instruments it's Mike Rutherford. And to his credit he used them to very good effect on Genesis' shows where the prog tunes needed him switching from guitar to bass in one song.

The picture I found is from the band's early days and it shows Rutherford with a Rickenbacker 360/12 and a Rickenbacker 4001 bass ducktaped together.

Very cool!
Having seen Genesis a few times in the 1980s and grown up with plenty of pics of the double necks from about 1973 onwards I was interested to see pics and film from earlier, when Rutherford had separate 12-string acoustics and electrics and that 4001 bass. So that picture you found is a great image of that transition to the double-necks!

BTW re some of the other comments, although the 3-guitars approach became a common after Trespass it's still the basis for some big numbers up to A Trick Of The Tail, which I think is the last time Banks played guitar on record: the openings of The Cinema Show, Supper's Ready and Entangled are all 3-guitar pieces.

 

[jdogric12]

Hi there ... very late to the party here, but an FYI: the pic in #13 of the three guitars on the brown couch is my replica of Mike's Shergold. Mike's was a pair of 12's, a bass, and a 6. On his, the bass was on bottom and the 6 & 12's were always on top. Mine was made with the 6er as a bottom so it could become a 6/12 instead of a 6/4. I use my replica with my DC-area (USA) Genesis tribute band Selling Fairfax By The Pound. We'll be playing Epicure Cafe in Fairfax, Virginia, USA on Saturday June 16 as part of JasonFest. I won't have the Shergold though, just a Rick bass. Rock on!