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📰 Jimmy Page #1 Forever: How the Double-Neck Guitar Became Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven
Jimmy Page, forever remembered as the greatest guitarist of all time, redefined what it meant to be a rock musician. His genius was not only in his solos, riffs, and otherworldly creativity, but also in his ability to turn a guitar into a myth. Among the many instruments tied to his legend, one stands above the rest: the Gibson EDS-1275 double-neck guitar.
Although the double-neck guitar was not new when Page began using it, he was the one who transformed it into a symbol of rock’s golden age. The Gibson factory built the EDS-1275 at Page’s request, designed specifically to meet his needs as a live performer. With six strings on one neck and twelve on the other, it allowed him to perform “Stairway to Heaven” without interruption, ensuring that the masterpiece could be experienced on stage exactly as it was envisioned.
In the 1970s, Led Zeppelin was more than a band — it was a cultural phenomenon. Their sound carried mysticism, danger, and raw power, amplified by the mythical presence of Robert Plant’s voice, John Bonham’s relentless drumming, and John Paul Jones’ musical intelligence. But it was Jimmy Page who often stood at the center, his silhouette framed by smoke, light, and that unforgettable cherry-red double-neck guitar. For millions of fans, that image became an emblem of both perfectionism and innovation.
The decision to commission the double-neck came out of necessity. The challenge was simple but daunting: how could Zeppelin replicate the layered studio arrangement of “Stairway to Heaven” live on stage? Without the EDS-1275, Page would have faced a mid-song guitar change, or the band would have needed a second guitarist — neither of which fit Zeppelin’s ethos. Instead, Page chose the more ambitious route, persuading Gibson to create a custom double-neck with his exact specifications. The result was not just a solution but a new standard for showmanship.
Curiously, Page never recorded with the Gibson double-neck in the studio. It was reserved exclusively for live performances, where its magic truly came alive. During concerts, Page would glide effortlessly between the six-string and twelve-string, moving from delicate fingerpicking to soaring solos, before returning to the ringing fullness of the twelve-string for the song’s climactic ending. Audiences weren’t just hearing a performance — they were witnessing history in motion.
Over time, the sight of Jimmy Page with the EDS-1275 became as iconic as Zeppelin itself. It wasn’t just a guitar; it was a piece of rock mythology, a bridge between the earthly and the divine, a symbol of how far music could transcend boundaries. Page turned an instrument into a legend, just as he turned songs into timeless epics.
Today, decades after Zeppelin’s reign, the image endures. Page with his double-neck remains etched in rock’s collective memory, embodying genius, innovation, and the relentless spirit of rock and roll.
💢 Jimmy Page is not just a guitarist. He is the guitarist. The undisputed #1 — forever. 💢
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