In the late 1950s, Gibson decided to start making custom double-neck guitars in a few varieties. The model that Elvis used and is still displayed at Graceland featured a six-string bass on top of a standard SG. Another variation combined an upper 12-string neck with an eight-string mandolin neck, and this Find of the Week pictured here features a standard 4-string bass and six-string guitar combo.
According to various accounts, the first-run production of these instruments stopped as early as 1968 (although more Double 12s were made in the late '70s and some models were reintroduced by Gibson the '90s). What's particularly interesting about the instrument in this listing is that it's dated just a few years after Gibson stopped making them.
"The serial number dates between '70-'72, and the pickup covers (which have never been removed) have an embossed Gibson emblem, which was only done from '71-'72," the listing reads. "This is almost definitely a bass that sat around in the factory for a couple years and was assembled in '71 or '72. Only 22 were made in total between '58 and '67. There is no record of one being shipped in '71-'72, so this was almost definitely a special order from during the era when they were not being made."
This particular model features a solid mahogany body married to two mahogany necks with rosewood fretboards and dot inlays. The guitar features two humbuckers and the bass features a humbucker in the neck and a mini humbucker in the bridge position.
Be sure to check out the listing here for more photos and extra details about some small modifications that were made.