Rick Nielsen's "Quint" Guitar: The Five-Neck Wonder
In a world of flamboyant rock stars, few guitars are as instantly recognisable as Rick Nielsen's "Quint" - the outrageous five-neck guitar that epitomises the Cheap Trick guitarist's quirky persona and innovative approach to showmanship…
The Birth of an Icon
Nielsen, known for his extensive and eccentric guitar collection (now numbering over 400 instruments), commissioned the original five-neck guitar in the late 1970s. Created by legendary luthier Hamer Guitars, this multi-necked monstrosity weighs a staggering 38 pounds and features five playable necks in a checkerboard-styled body that perfectly matched Cheap Trick's retro-futuristic aesthetic.
The Practical Madness
While many assume the Quint is purely for show, each neck is fully functional and strategically arranged:
- A 12-string neck
- A standard 6-string neck
- A 6-string neck with a fretless section
- A 6-string bass neck
- Another standard 6-string neck
This allows Nielsen to switch between different tunings and sounds without changing guitars - though the sheer weight of the instrument means he typically plays it for only one or two songs during performances.
Engineering Challenges
Creating a five-neck guitar presented significant engineering problems. Beyond the obvious weight issues, the design had to consider balance, structural integrity, and ensuring each neck had proper intonation and playability.
The guitar became so iconic that Hamer later created a more manageable three-neck version that Nielsen used more frequently in performances, while the original Quint was reserved for special occasions and photo opportunities.
Cultural Impact
The Quint has become far more than just a musical instrument - it's a piece of rock history. It has been displayed in museums, featured in countless magazines, and even inspired miniature replicas for collectors. The guitar perfectly embodies the excess and spectacle of arena rock while also showcasing Nielsen's genuine innovation as a guitarist.
The Man Behind the Guitar
What makes the Quint special isn't just its unusual design but the character of the man who plays it. Unlike many rock guitarists who took themselves deadly seriously, Nielsen brought a sense of humor and showmanship to guitar playing. His backward cap, bowtie, and wild stage antics complemented his multi-necked creation.
"I'm a collector, I'm a showoff," Nielsen once explained. "If you've got it, flaunt it. If you've made it, why not show it? Some guitar players are real serious. I take my playing seriously, but I don't take the image so seriously."
The Quint represents something increasingly rare in modern music: genuine originality and the willingness to approach music with both technical skill and playful innovation. In an era of manufactured musical personas, Rick Nielsen and his five-necked guitar remind us that rock and roll thrives when musicians aren't afraid to be a little outrageous.
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