Featured in the second photo is Cousin Wilbur (on bass far left), his wife Blondie Brooks and the Log Cabin Folks.
Cousin Wilbur was a Grand Ole Opry comedy star from 1940 to 1947. One of his first groups included a young Eddy Arnold. He was also an original member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys.
New photos found of this guitar with the Stonemans. Ernest "Pop" Stoneman (sitting next to the double neck in the center of the third photo) is an important part of bluegrass and country history. In 1927 he helped conduct the Bristol Sessions, leading the the first recordings of groups like The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and more.
The man holding the guitar is Scotty Stoneman. He is known mostly as a champion fiddle player but in interviews with his sisters Donna and Roni he was fluent in many different instruments. Early on Scotty was in a group with his siblings called The Bluegrass Champs, played with the Stonemans and also played in The Kentucky Colonels with a young Clarence White. Roni Stoneman went on to become a staple of the show Hee Haw picking her banjo.
The origin of this set of custom guitars is still unknown but Cousin Wilbur was said to be close and perform with Shot Jackson of Sho Bud.
Here we have something truly unique. A beautifully custom made double neck mandolin/guitar seeming to date to the early 1950's. The only markings are "King Whitley" in stick on letters on the headstocks. At the time custom guitars, especially double necks, were very hip among stars in Nashville and in the country circuit. Included are photos of custom works by Semie Moseley and Sho Bud. Other flashy custom makers for the stars were Gay guitars, Bigsby, Carvin, Harvey Thomas, Mosrite etc.
The overall design and construction of the guitar looks to be the work of a professional. The shape and color screams Doc Kauffman. Possibly a custom commissioned precursor to his Kremo-Kustom guitars.
The guitar has no truss rods, very beefy guitar neck, beautiful vertical checking throughout the finish, two custom wound pickups. Guitar pickup is a rail design much like the ones featured on Doc Kauffmans creations. The mando side has another custom wound pickup fitted inside the cover of a Gibson p90. Set neck construction with no breaks and no repairs. The potentiometers appear to be from an old radio. It plays wonderfully and sounds punchy and clear.
Whatever it may be, its insanely cool. This double neck has seen its fair share of honky tonks and swingin' barn dances. I wish I were able to hear all its stories. Very cool and interesting piece of music history. Make an offer!
Please enjoy and feel free to message with any questions.
