One of Three EMS-1235s Shipped in Late 1964/Early 1965

This custom-built double-neck (conventional six-string neck in the lower position combined with a short scale six-string neck tuned an octave higher) weighs just 9.90 lbs. The conventional guitar neck has a nice, fat nut width of just over 1 11/16 inches and a standard Gibson scale length of 24 3/4 inches; the octave guitar neck has a nut width of 1 9/16 inches and a short scale length of 16 inches. Solid mahogany body with bevelled edge (16 1/2 inches wide and 1 3/8 inches deep), two one-piece mahogany necks, and bound rosewood fretboards. The conventional guitar neck with 20 jumbo frets and inlaid pearl split-parallelogram position markers; the octave guitar neck with 25 thin frets and inlaid pearl split-parallelogram position markers. Each headstock with inlaid pearl "Gibson" logo and two-layer (black on white) truss-rod cover with "Custom" engraved in white. Serial number ("175758") impressed into the back of the headstock of the conventional guitar. Individual dual-line Kluson Deluxe tuners with double-ring tulip-shaped Keystone plastic buttons. Three patent-number humbucker pickups (all with rectangular black labels with "Patent No. 2,737,842" on the underside and black plastic rings) and with outputs of 7.46k and 7.26k on the conventional guitar and an output of 7.17k on the octave guitar. The pots are dated "137 6504" (CTS January 1965). Two five-layer (black/white/black/white/black) plastic pickguards with bevelled edges. Four controls (one volume and one tone for the neck pickup on the conventional guitar and the single pickup on the octave guitar, and one volume and one tone for the bridge pickup on the conventional) on the lower treble bout of the conventional guitar, plus a three-way pickup selector switch for the conventional guitar in the center of the guitar and a three-way neck selector switch on the treble horn of the pickguard of the conventional guitar. Black plastic bell-shaped knobs with white markings and metal tops. Each guitar with Gibson "patent-number" Tune-O-Matic retainer bridge, the conventional guitar with nylon saddles and the octave guitar with metal saddles, and original screwed-on non-adjustable bar tailpiece (with three screws). The original strap buttons are positioned on the heel of the each guitar and on the lower edge. There is some light finish checking, a few small surface marks on the body of the guitar, and a couple of tiny marks on the backs of the necks and on the edges of the headstocks, but overall this guitar is in exceptionally fine (9.00) condition. Housed in the original Gibson black rectangular hardshell case with orange plush lining (8.50).

According to Larry Meiners's Gibson Shipment Totals 1937-1979 (p. 20), only three EMS-1235s (Octavo 6 + 6-String) were shipped in 1965, out of a total of seventeen EMS-1235s shipped between 1962 and 1967.

"The first Gibson double necks were built in Spring 1957 and later in the year a Double 12 and a Double Mandolin were displayed at the July 1957 NAMM convention in Chicago. Both models featured a conventional 6-string neck in the lower position combined with a 12-string neck on the Double 12, and with a short scale 6-string neck tuned an octave higher on the so-called Double Mandolin (a real misnomer!). The enlarged body was of the double cutaway type with sharp Florentine horns and at a distance it could be mistaken for a solid body owing to the absence of f-holes. The early double necks are primarily characterized by their unique hollowed-out body construction featuring of a carved spruce top without f-holes. For additional weight saving, the body depth was kept to 1 7/8" at the rim and, regardless of other appointments, this feature qualifies them as thinlines. The interest generated at the show was sufficient to convince CMI and Gibson to include them in the line, albeit on a custom-order basis only and not as standard production items. The Double 12 (later known as the EDS-1275) and the Double Mandolin (known as the EMS-1235) were first described in the November 1957 issue of the Gazette and subsequently displayed in the 1958 catalog. At respectively $475.00 and $435.00 the two models were in the same price range as the ES-5 Switchmaster, but cost significantly less than a Super 400CES, a L-5CES or even a Byrdland. They were available in a choice of three finishes: sunburst, solid white and solid black" (A.R. Duchossoir, Gibson Electrics -- The Classic Years, p. 83).

"At the end of 1962 the original thinline double necks were phased out and superseded by solid bodies patterned after the ultra-thin SG design pioneered on Les Paul guitars. Notwithstanding the change in body style, double necks continued to be built to custom order only and few were shipped during the 60s before being (temporarily) withdrawn from the Gibson catalog" (A.R. Duchossoir, Gibson Electrics -- The Classic Years, p. 196).

"On the SG-styled double necks, and unlike the thinline models, the two necks share the same individual volume and tone controls and pickup selector switch…Notwithstanding the change of body style, double necks remained built to custom order only. Mid-60s catalogs indicate that they dould be ordered with 'your own choice of double neck equipment'. In other words, any neck combination was possible" (A.R. Duchossoir, Gibson Electrics -- The Classic Years, p. 196).

From the 1963 Gibson Guitar and Bass Catalogue (p. 15): "These fine products of the Gibson custom department offer the unique crafting and individual attention which is found only in custom-built instruments. Gibson's custom department has long been famous for the special models built to the individual specification of top artists in all phases of the music business. Whatever they sought in a guitar, the Gibson custom department was able to achieve it. This same special treatment is given to the double electric guitars because they are in reality all custom-built instruments. Each receiving that special individual treatment…The Double Mandolin combines a six-string guitar with a mandolin to give you a unique character…a special tone to command attention. Two slim, fast, low-action necks of one-piece mahogany, Rosewood fingerboards and pearl inlays. Adjustable Tune-O-Matic bride on guitar neck. Special combination, adjustable bridge on mandolin neck wth rosewood base and nickel-plated saddle. Twin humbucking pickups with separate tone and volume controls for each neck. Toggle switch to activate either or both pickups. Neck selector switch to activate either neck" (at http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/gib63p15.php).