Multiple Necks - How are they used?

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

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Stephen O'Brien
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Multiple Necks - How are they used?

Post by Stephen O'Brien »

I know that lap steels frequently come with multiple necks and I have owned a few without really understanding how to use them. Are the necks used separately for a tune or does the player switch between them and, if so, why?

I have seen Cindy Cashdollar play in person and what I observed is that maybe 80% to 90% of her playing is on the inside neck and the remainder on one of the other two necks, all in the same song. I just couldn't figure out what drove her to the other necks? I figure it must be chord voicing, otherwise why bother, but what kind of difference in voicing would there be?

Any help would be appreciated.
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HowardR
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Post by HowardR »

You'll receive answers from more qualified players......but for an example......my SuperSlide D9/8 is tuned to a C6 and a G7.........

If I want to strum a G chord in a middle register or play closed notes straight under the bar.....I'll use the G position on the C6 neck.....instead of an open position, octive on the 12th fret, or slant positions on the G7 neck......


Some years ago, I saw Big Sandy & The Fly Rite Boys....Lee Jefferies was playing a Strigmaster T8 and was all over it.....there was not one tune where he stayed put on one neck....

Same with Jody Carver.....he's all over his triple neck.....busier than a dog with two......bones.....

I suppose it depends on the style.......
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Erv Niehaus
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Post by Erv Niehaus »

Certain songs just work out better in one tuning than another. Primarily because of the location of the chords.
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