John Paul Jones Debuts Unprecedented 24-String Triple‑Neck Masterpiece 🎸
April 2025 – In a stunning blend of innovation, craftsmanship, and sheer musical ambition, legendary bassist and multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones—best known for his role in Led Zeppelin—has unveiled a jaw-dropping custom triple‑neck instrument, boasting 8 strings per neck for a total of 24 strings. This contraption pushes the boundaries of what’s physically and musically achievable on stage, prompting intrigue across the global music community.
A Vision Realized: Three Necks, Twenty‑Four Strings
The concept of a triple-neck guitar isn’t unheard of in rock history—but a design featuring three identical 8‑string necks is virtually unprecedented. The inspiration for this ambitious build is rooted in Jones’s ongoing pursuit of seamless transitions during complex live performances—a solution to avoid juggling multiple instruments mid-song.
As one recent social media post put it: “John Paul Jones with a three‑neck neck with 8 strings per neck. That’s 24 strings!”
Such a reveal ignited a frenzy among fans, who are excitedly awaiting technical specifications and live demos.
From Concept to Creation: Andy Manson’s Role
The mind and hands behind this extraordinary instrument belong to Andy Manson, an esteemed luthier based in England. Manson’s pedigree includes crafting parametric triple‑neck guitars for John Paul Jones dating back to the 1970s—a period when Jones used a 6‑string, 12‑string, and mandolin configuration for Led Zeppelin’s acoustic sets
In particular, Manson recalls:
“I had done a few repairs and set‑ups for John Paul Jones … I saw John playing a 6‑string, 12‑string and mandolin all in the same song … light bulb on! … I designed and made the triple neck and took it to John’s house.
That 1970s instrument became iconic during live performances of Ten Years Gone and the acoustic segments of Led Zeppelin’s 1977 North American tour . Fast-forward nearly 50 years: Manson has now revisited the triple‑neck concept with an even more ambitious build, integrating 8 strings per neck—a feat of modern luthiery.
Why 8 Strings? A Technical Deep Dive
Multi-course 8‑string guitars are typically built in octave pairs—similar to 12‑string guitars—with each main string paired with another one octave higher. This produces a lush, chorus‑rich tone ideal for acoustic richness or choral-like sonic textures. Multi‑neck instruments allow a player to switch instantly between tonalities or tunings without switching instruments.
A triple‑neck design could offer:
- Three different tunings pre‑set—e.g., standard tuning on one neck, drop tuning on another, and an open or alternate tuning on the third.
- One neck dedicated to rhythm chords, another for melodic lines, and the third for orchestral/pedal-like counterpoint.
- Seamless transitions during live performance: no need for multiple guitars or mid-song changes.
In Jones’s case, this structural innovation eliminates downtime between song textures—possibly blending bass, acoustic, and orchestral string sounds all in one instrument.
A Legacy of Experimentation
John Paul Jones’s reputation extends well beyond his bass lines for Led Zeppelin. He was the band’s go-to multi-instrumentalist, often playing keyboards, mandolin, bass pedals, Mellotron, and yes—even early triple-neck guitars . A feature in Guitar World described how, during live shows, Jones would say, “I’d be there with bass pedals, a triple‑neck guitar and keyboards…
An even deeper retrospective from Wikipedia profiles a custom Manson triple‑neck acoustic Jones used in the mid‑70s—featuring six‑string, twelve‑string, and mandolin necks . The new 8‑string per neck version pushes that evolution onward.
Industry Reaction: Luthiers Weigh In
Instrument builders and gear experts have had a collective gasp over Jones’s newest achievement. On a recent industry forum, one member noted:
“That’s an awesome story. I didn’t know it was made by Andy Manson. This shop still makes incredible lutherie.
Such acclaim underscores how rare and technically challenging this creation is. The instrument must accommodate 72 strings in total, requiring exceptionally stable construction, advanced bracing, wider fingerboards, and precise intonation systems to avoid tuning chaos.
Live Performances: What to Expect
Jones is expected to debut the triple‑neck instrument in select upcoming performances tied to his ongoing solo sessions and collaborative dates—though no specific tour date has yet been announced. Fans are eager to see how this instrument will be integrated into his set, which spans Led Zeppelin classics and experimental solo works.
Given its potential for combining acoustic grooves, folk textures, and orchestral tones, the 24-string triple-neck could redefine the sonic palette of songs like Going to California, Ten Years Gone, and even new improvisational works.
The Evolution of Triple‑Neck Instruments
Historically, triple‑neck guitars have been used by rock greats like Jimmy Page, Steve Howe, and **Geddy Lee-to name a few. But Manson’s 1974 acoustic 6‑/12‑/mandolin hybrid—used by Jones—stood out as a unique solution for one-man multi-instrumentalism during live sets
With the latest 8‑string version, we may be witnessing the next milestone in multi-neck instrument design—an evolutionary leap over earlier electric bass and guitar hybrids (e.g., Chris Squire’s triple-neck Wal bass)
Shadows of Inspiration: The Luthier’s Voice
Andy Manson himself voiced excitement over the new build: “When John first saw the earlier triple‑neck I made for him, he said, ‘Wow… I can’t wait to see Pagey’s face when I walk on stage with this . If true, one can imagine the fun—and envy—among fellow guitar heroes witnessing 24‑string versatility onstage for the first time.
User Reactions: Reddit Weighs In
Reddit’s Led Zeppelin forum revisited the vintage triple‑neck story in recent years, with users marveling at Jones’s adventurous gear:
“Is the small neck a mandolin? … Yep! Used during Going to California.
“Imagine being the guy who has to string and tune it.
With this new instrument, however, that sentiment reaches new heights—24 strings to replace, tune, and maintain!
Why It Matters
- Reinvents live performance flow: Jones no longer needs to pause mid-song to swap instruments.
- Establishes new creative possibilities: 24-string, triple-neck opens vast textural territory in solo and ensemble contexts.
- Honors instrument craftsmanship: Showcases Manson’s decades of precision luthiery.
- Reaffirms Jones’s ingenuity: From bass to keyboards, his capability to innovate remains undimmed after five decades.
Remaining Questions & Fan Queries
- Weight & Ergonomics: How playable is the instrument during live hour-long sets?
- Tuning Mechanisms: Are there electronic tuning aids or automation?
- Amplification & Pickup Configurations: Single mic for all necks? Separate outputs? Piezo pickups?
- Sound Samples: Will Jones release a studio recording or teaser of the new instrument?
Answers may come soon once Jones integrates the triple‑neck into his performance circuit.
What’s Next: The Road Ahead
- 🎤 Concert Appearances: Jones is expected to feature the triple‑neck on upcoming solo dates—watch for highlights.
- 🎥 Media Release: We anticipate interviews and behind‑the‑scenes build documentation, possibly hosted by Andy Manson.
- 🎧 New Recordings: Whether solo or collaborative, a studio track featuring this instrument would be a landmark in guitar history.
- 🏆 Legacy Moments: This creation may find its way into musical exhibits or become part of Jones’s storied legacy.
Final Thoughts
John Paul Jones has never been content to rest on his monumental legacy with Led Zeppelin. From crafting bass lines that defined rock to pioneering multi-instrumental live performances, his new 24-string triple‑neck only strengthens his reputation as a relentless innovator.
This instrument doesn’t just push technical limits—it rewrites them. Combining the creativity of Jones with decades of expert craftsmanship from Andy Manson, the result is a singular piece of musical history: bold, awe-inspiring, and ready to inspire a new generation of players and listeners.
Stay tuned—or better yet, tune in—because when Jones straps on this triple-neck at his next show, it will be more than a performance; it will be a statement that musical evolution is alive, and still rocking hard.
