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When asked how he came up with the idea of the twin-necked V shaped guitar Michael's response was: "I wanted to do something on guitar that no one had ever done before and I did it. I wanted to do something different- not be better or "cooler" than other guitarists, just different".
1. The guitar has a truly left-handed neck and a truly right-handed neck.
2. The basic shape is described as a "Twin-necked, V-shaped guitar".
3. The guitar is not strapped around the shoulder like a "normal" guitar but uses one strap around Michael's neck. This gives Michael free access to play either neck (right or left) or both at the same time.
4. The MAB String Dampeners which Michael invented and patented make the Double-Guitar virtually "feedback free".
Michael's first version of the Double-Guitar was actually two separate guitars. He took a "Flying V" guitar and fastened it to a snare drum stand. This was a right-handed guitar faced in a left-handed playing position. Another "V" was strapped (right-handed) around his shoulder. He played the left side first, then the right side, then both at the same time. The Double-Guitar has come a long way since then. Dean guitars built the first "factory" custom Double-Guitar. Dean Zelinsky himself designed the bodies and made the very first one.
Next, Michael and guitar tech Kenny Breit came up with a new way to attach the two guitars. They took a flight case latch and retrofitted it to the back of each instrument. Now it took about 5 seconds to put the Double-Guitar together.
When Michael first performed the Double-Guitar "in concert" it started to "feed back" when he began to play both guitars at once. Immediately after that show he started thinking about some way to dampen the strings (when he played both guitars at the same time). Something that could stop noise at high volumes and be moved out of way when it wasn't being used. Michael invented The “MAB String Dampener”. It is adjustable and fits any guitar. The "MAB String Dampener" has gone through several new modifications and is available through M.A.C.E. Music.
Michael has had custom made Double-Guitars built for him by Dean Guitars (Mike Lipe) and Wayne Charvel for Gibson guitars and BC Rich guitars.
Dean Guitars built Michael the Mach 7 Jet Double in October 2003.
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