When it comes to legendary multi-instrumentalists in rock history, John Paul Jones stands among the greats. Best known as the bassist and keyboardist for Led Zeppelin, Jones has always been a musician’s musician—an innovator, arranger, and sonic architect behind some of rock’s most iconic sounds. But one of his more jaw-dropping, lesser-known ventures into the world of musical instruments comes in the form of a truly fantastical creation: the three-neck guitar.
The Man Behind the Music
Before diving into the mythical three-neck instrument, it’s worth acknowledging the vast scope of John Paul Jones’s musical career. Born John Baldwin in 1946, Jones began as a session musician, contributing to hits for artists like Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, and even The Rolling Stones. His collaboration with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham in 1968 led to the formation of Led Zeppelin—where Jones’s role expanded far beyond the bass.
Known for his mastery of everything from mandolin to Mellotron, Jones became the band’s secret weapon, often weaving complex harmonies, folk textures, and classical flourishes into Zeppelin’s bombastic blues-rock sound.
Enter the Three-Neck Guitar
Fast-forward to the post-Zeppelin years, when Jones’s explorations in progressive rock, orchestral arrangements, and experimental projects brought him to new musical frontiers. One such frontier materialized in the form of a custom-built three-neck guitar—an instrument as visually arresting as it was musically flexible.
While multi-neck guitars were already part of rock lore (Jimmy Page’s iconic Gibson EDS-1275 double-neck comes to mind), Jones took it a step further. His triple-necked instrument—crafted by luthiers such as Andy Manson—allowed him to switch between different tonal ranges and tunings without changing instruments mid-performance. This made the three-neck not just a novelty, but a tool of genuine utility.
Typically, a Jones-style three-neck setup might include:
- A six-string guitar tuned for standard rock or blues.
- A twelve-string neck for lush, chorus-heavy tones reminiscent of folk and psychedelic rock.
- A mandolin or bass neck to add depth and contrast to his compositions.
A Stage Prop and a Statement
Jones has used the three-neck guitar in select live performances and recordings, particularly during his solo career and with projects like Them Crooked Vultures and Zooma. Whenever it appears on stage, it instantly captivates the audience—not only for its unusual form but for the ease with which Jones moves between necks, as if wielding a single, organic instrument.
But the guitar is more than just a performance piece—it’s a testament to Jones’s philosophy of music-making. His work has always blurred boundaries, blending classical discipline with rock rebellion. The three-neck guitar is a physical embodiment of that spirit: eccentric, technically brilliant, and steeped in musical curiosity.
A Legacy of Exploration
Today, John Paul Jones continues to inspire musicians across genres, not only for his foundational work with Led Zeppelin but for his relentless pursuit of new sounds and ideas. The three-neck guitar may not be his most famous contribution to music, but it perfectly symbolizes his ethos: go beyond the expected, question limitations, and always explore the possibilities.
In a world of overproduced tracks and predictable instrumentation, Jones reminds us that innovation is not just about what you play—but how, and on what, you choose to play it.
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