The Incredible Sound and History of the Mysterious 3 Guitar Vault

The Fascinating History of the 3 Guitar Vault

Music has been an integral part of human culture for thousands of years. Throughout history, various instruments have been invented and perfected to produce diverse musical sounds. One of the most iconic and popular instruments is, of course, the guitar.

The guitar has gone through its own evolution over the centuries, with different styles and models emerging along the way. From the early lute-like guitars to the electric solid-body models of today, it's a storied history indeed.

One particularly unique style of guitar that emerged in the last century is the 3 guitar vault. Mysterious in origin and captivating in sound, the 3 guitar vault has its own fascinating story.

The Origins of the 3 Guitar Vault

Unlike more well-known guitar models like the Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Les Paul, the origins of the 3 guitar vault are obscure. There are several theories as to how this unusual triple-necked guitar came about.

Some believe the 3 guitar vault was invented by a luthier experimenting in their workshop in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The most common explanation is that it was designed specifically for a virtuoso player looking for a new challenge. Having three necks allowed the guitarist to switch seamlessly between different tunings mid-song.

The name "3 guitar vault" is thought to come from the appearance of having three guitars melded together. The middle neck sticks out prominently like the door of a vault. Other stories suggest the inventor kept their prototype locked away like a secret treasure, inspiring the name.

The Sound of the 3 Guitar Vault

This unique triple-neck guitar produces an equally unique sound. Having three necks allows for much greater diversity in tones.

The 12-string neck has a full, jangly sound perfect for rhythm work. The standard 6-string neck has the expected warm, well-rounded tone. Finally, the 3-string neck produces a trebly, piercing sound that cuts through any mix.

In the hands of a skilled player, these three voices can be played together or separately to add color and dynamics. The 3 guitar vault allows seamless switching for incredibly complex and progressive melodies.

Famous Players of the 3 Guitar Vault

Despite its obscurity, the 3 guitar vault has been embraced by some pioneering musicians through the years:

• Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt used a custom 3 guitar vault on several albums in the 1940s. His lightning fast playing highlighted the instrument's diversity.
• Progressive rock band The Moody Turtles toured with a 3 guitar vault in the 1970s. Their complex songs leveraged the three necks to recreate lush studio layering in a live setting.
• Avant garde musician Gail Force was closely associated with the 3 guitar vault in the 1980s New York experimental scene. She treated the guitar as its own orchestra.

While never fully mainstream, these and other innovative players showed the true potential of the triple-necked wonder.

Playing the 3 Guitar Vault

Those who have picked up the 3 guitar vault describe it as an initially baffling but ultimately rewarding experience. Here are some of the basics of playing this unique instrument.

Mastering the 3 Necks

Each neck of the 3 guitar vault has its own characteristics that take time to master:

• 12-string neck - With two strings for each note, it has a wider neck and requires greater force to press the strings down.
• 6-string neck - The standard neck width and string spacing guitarists are accustomed to.
• 3-string neck - Extremely narrow neck that requires accurate finger placement.

Learning the proper right and left hand technique for each neck is crucial. The 12-string and 3-string necks in particular require adaptations from normal 6-string playing.

Coordinating Both Hands

Since each neck is positioned and played differently, both hands have to make adjustments when switching between them. The picking hand needs to alternate between wider and narrower neck widths. At the same time, the fretting hand has to adapt to different neck lengths, curves, and string spacing.

Mastering the 3 guitar vault requires breaking old muscle memory habits and developing new coordination. With practice, the hands can learn to flow seamlessly between the necks.

Sound Separation

Keeping the sound of each neck distinct requires careful muting and damping techniques. When not in use, the unused necks must be completely muted to prevent sympathetic vibrations.

Palm muting, precisely placed finger muting, and precise pick hand placement are essential skills. This keeps the 3 guitar vault sounding clear and controlled instead of muddy and indistinct.

The Future of the 3 Guitar Vault

While a fairly obscure instrument today, there are signs the 3 guitar vault may be on the verge of a rediscovery:

• A new generation of guitarists are looking for fresh sounds and new challenges.
• Boutique luthiers have begun creating new 3 guitar vault instruments.
• Prominent artists like St. Vincent and John Mayer have been spotted playing 3 guitar vaults recently.

Could the 3 guitar vault be the next "it" guitar? While its unwieldy nature may never make it truly mainstream, this unique instrument clearly still has a devoted following that only continues to grow. What was once merely an oddity of guitar history may soon enjoy a full revival in the hands of tomorrow's players.

The past and future converge in the 3 guitar vault. With its rich history and endless creative potential, it remains one of the most fascinating instruments invented. For guitarists up for a challenge, the 3 guitar vault offers a whole new world of musical possibility just waiting to be explored.

FAQs

Who invented the 3 guitar vault?

The exact origins of the 3 guitar vault are uncertain, but it was likely invented by an experimental luthier in the late 1950s or 1960s looking to create a guitar with more tonal options.

What musicians famously used the 3 guitar vault?

Jazz great Django Reinhardt, progressive rockers The Moody Turtles, and avant garde artist Gail Force are some notable early adopters of the strange multi-neck guitar.

Why is it hard to play the 3 guitar vault?

Having three necks with different widths, scales, and string spacings requires hard work to develop new muscle memory and coordination between both hands. Muting unused strings also takes practice.