World’s Most Extreme Playable Guitar Unveiled by the National GUITAR Museum

by: Staff

The National GUITAR Museum unveiled the world’s largest fully playable multi-necked stringed instrument today as part of its permanent collection. The 8-necked guitar, the only one of its kind, will be on display through the end of the year at the Orlando Science Center in Orlando, Florida as part of an exhibit entitled “GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World.”

Left to right: HP Newquist, Dan Neafsey (builder), Gerard Huerta (designer)

Called the “Rock Ock” — a nod to the popular Spider-Man villain with 8 arms — the guitar is featured in a new YouTube video. The video is an impromptu performance on the guitar complete with 8 guitarists playing the blues classic “Crossroads.” It takes 80 fingers and 16 hands to play the piece. See it here:

The Rock Ock weighs 40 pounds, has 154 frets, 51 strings, 51 tuning pegs, and 8 necks. The eight instruments that comprise the Rock Ock are a mandolin, ukulele, 6-string, fretless bass, standard bass, 12-string, baritone guitar, and a 7-string. The guitar was designed by noted artist Gerard Huerta (responsible for the iconic AC/DC logo, among others) and built by Dan Neafsey of DGN Custom Guitars. The guitar hardware was supplied by Mojo Musical Supply while the instrument itself was commissioned by The National GUITAR Museum.

According to HP Newquist, executive director of the NGM, “There are dozens of ‘art guitars’ with multiple necks that can’t be played. They’re really just sculptures. So, we at the National GUITAR Museum decided to go one better and create a guitar with 8 necks — more than any other in the world — that can actually be played. Our thinking was that if you’re going to create something like this, it should be real. And this one is.”

And, as Newquist adds, laughing, “Is it over the top? Most definitely. But that’s the point. And it is a lot of fun to play.”

The NGM currently owns the world’s largest playable electric guitar—a 43.5 feet long Flying V—as certified by the Guinness Book Of World Records. The museum will now be seeking Guinness certification for both the Rock Ock and the performance of a single guitar by eight musicians.

The Rock Ock will be on display until January 2, 2012 in Orlando and will then move to its next venue, the Louisville Science Center, on January 21, 2012.

About The National GUITAR Museum

The National GUITAR Museum, LLC is the first museum in the United States dedicated to the history, evolution, and cultural impact of the guitar. Its Touring Exhibition, “GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World” will travel to 15 cities over the next five years before one city is chosen as the permanent home of The National Guitar Museum.

The Museum’s board is comprised of individuals drawn from the music, science, technology, and museum communities. Current advisors include guitar greats Steve Vai, Johnny Winter, Steve Howe, Tony Iommi, Liona Boyd, Joe Bonamassa, Pete Huttlinger, and Pat Kirtley. The Executive Director of the Museum is HP Newquist.