Double Neck Guitjo

The Anatomy Of A Guitjo

Joe has had two double-neck guitjos custom-built. The first was built in 1991 by the late luthier Denny Stevens in Salem, OR and the second was built in 2003 by luthier Richard Mermer in Sebastian, FL. Both double-neck guitars are strung the same and the necks are of identical scale. The main difference is that the Denny Stevens body is based on a dreadnaught shape with cut-a-way and the Mermer is based on an acoustic/electric thin body shape with cut-a-way.

Joe had Lloyd Baggs build him custom LB12 saddle pickups for all four necks. The pickups are wired mono to an LR BAGGS pre- amp end pin jack. From there he plugs into a BOSS TU-2 tuner into an LR BAGGS Para DI and then straight into the mixer.

These are Joe’s main tunings and make up about 90% of his original compositions as well as non-original arrangements. He does flat the 7th string on the guitjo neck in order to create a minor tuning as well. He endorses John Pearse Strings, where they kindly customize the sets for him.

Tunings/String Gauges:

Denny Stevens Double Neck:

Upper Guitar Neck High to Low:
1. D .013
2. C .017
3. G .026 phosphorus bronze wound
4. C .036 PBW
5. G .045 PBW
6. F .056 PBW
7. C .068 PBW

Lower Guitjo Neck High to Low:
1. D .013
2. C .017
3. G .026 phosphorus bronze wound
4. C .036 PBW
5. G .008
6. F .009
7. E .012

Mermer Double Neck:

Upper Guitar Neck High to Low:
1. D# .013
2. A# .017
3. F .026 phosphorus bronze wound
4. C .036 PBW
5. F .045 PBW
6. D# .056 PBW
7. A# .068 PBW

Lower Guitjo Neck High to Low:
1. D .013
2. C .017
3. G .026 phosphorus bronze wound
4. C .036 PBW
5. G .008
6. F .009
7. E .012

Joe Also Records/Performs On:

1974 Martin D-28 guitar with medium gauge John Pearse Bluegrass phosphorus bronze strings and tunes it from high to low: F-C-F-C-F-C

2008 Taylor Fall Limited Edition, Cocobolo GS steel string acoustic with light gauge John Pearse phosphorus bronze strings and tunes it (usually) to standard tuning.