Triumph's Rik Emmett breaks down the Double Necked Guitar

[@TCU1]

This unbelievable LEGEND! He turned 70 a week ago and still looks and sounds the same! Been a fan since 82 and will forever be!

[@johnnyriverarodriguez5283]

One of the most underrated guitarist and band from the 70's and 80's.

[@creepyaxe]

He won a couple of Juno awards in the late 70's for best rock guitarist. Somebody noticed him.

[@crusheverything4449]

Alex Williams - He has also won Best Jazz Guitarist in Canada much more recently.

[@jppagetoo]

I don't know about that. He was all over in the music mags in the early 80's. Votest "Best of" in many categories at that time. So, he was noticed then. But Triumph has been disbanded for many years and other than a few shows here and there have remained so. So I guess his name isn't out there as much now. I saw them in 1984. He was amazing, and yes... I knew about him before I saw him.

[@MeLoNHeAd00]

He is a top 25 guitar player and in my mind top 50 vocals .

[@SHENDOH]

I want to hear about the Japanese artist issue ones

[@43loudman]

Rick Emmett and Alex Lifeson, you guys, the music, were so much apart of our lives, simply the best , hands down the best in the world, i enjoyed all those years, as did so many, the music of the past seems to be gone now, please; someone, bring it back to us? hopefully while you, Rick: and Alex and Geddy are still alive,,. Triumph, and Rush, and more Triumph,,. thanks for all the great music and memories,.

[@billydee4272]

Your comment put me in a comma coma.

[@bladerunnermonty761]

I remember Rick and his when they did a video at Hammerjacks in Baltimore Maryland , I'm John Paul which I played a extra in the video . This video was of there first Abum Triumph made . Triumph was a great buch of guys to hangout with , as for me I really enjoyed hanging out with them . I agree ,yeah would like to see them as ND come back and do one last tour.

[@rustyaxelrod]

Years ago, Rick explained so much about guitar in his instructional videos and I hung on every word. VHS tape, played until they were almost unwatchable. Thanks Rick! Great instructor and so much good music. I think I’ll go jam Lay it on the Line right now.

[@spuds6423]

Don't forget Randy Jackson of Zebra, he plays a double neck quite well.. I believe it is a B.C. Rich one..I don't play, so I am guessing.

[@marcinpachowicz3083]

"You don't need one, you just want one..." He he. Exactly...

[@IfUfindthisURlost]

This is me all over. I don't really have either the skill or necessity to warrant owning a double neck, but recently the urge to have one is creeping up on me. I can just about justify getting a self-build kit, as it's a cheap option and I can kid myself the reason is 'the learning experience' of putting it together myself.

[@pauloesterle9823]

I think Rick Emmett is probably one of the most talented people to ever pick up a guitar and step in front of a microphone his talent goes so far beyond anything absolutely amazing

[@crisprtalk6963]

You may not need the 12 string to get the sounds you need these days as you say Rik but when you walk on stage with a double neck EVERYBODY looks and wants to hear it! That is why they are still cool today. It's visual appeal will never die.

[@leonelbarragan602]

Rik is a class act: I'm a fan of Triumph and I'm glad he's as enthusiastic about music and guitars as he was back in the day when I was growing up in mad-crazy NYC

[@charleskennedy8695]

I could listen to this guy explain how the microwave works and be entertained ..Rik Emmett , great vocalist / guitarist ...awesome musician !

[@francisouellette5938]

I love this kind of interview where a master of an instrument explains stuff cause he has the passion for it and is able to demonstrate his craft.

[@volleygirl4472]

the mighty Rik Emmett... such a huge influence on me at a very young age... chops, voice and writing abilities... we have so many great guitar player/singer songwriters in Canada.. Gordie Johnson, Ian Thornley, and yes they deserve alot more attention and exposure...

[@RayBecker]

Love this guy! I remember when Triumph broke and I was like "holy shit" what awesome guitars and vocals. Then I found out they were a three piece like my beloved Rush. What the hell is in the water up there in the Great White North? Great to see Rik and that 1275.

[@countroshculla]

It's in the poutine.

[@jettman32]

Man do you know how f---ing excited I am to find all this Rick Emmett stuff! With all the information on the internet these days I am just bewildered way today's rock sucks so bad except for a handful of bands

[@jaymorgan8017]

I second that emotion !

[@richardadams1337]

Triumph was the opening band for Sammy Hagar back in 1986 at the old Seattle Colosseum, now called Key Arena.bb. Man, was that a great concert! Triumph was amazing! I'd always remembered how much I really enjoyed the way Rik played. Even the high voltage, high energy 2-hour concert that Sammy put on didn't make me forget the fantastic guitar work at the beginning of the night.

[@Nick-zu9sn]

Love Rick Emmett, and love Triumph, we played a few of their songs in a cover band back in the day, and on those songs more than most, WE enjoyed it as much as the crowd. Triumph...yeah!

[@cbcmusic]

Heck yeah! 🤘

[@gr8guitarplayer]

Man, when I picked up my Gibson LP Custom Silverburst at Chuck Levin's in 1981, someone was buying an es1175. They opened the case, and I was like...my jaw hit the floor. I SOOO wanted that guitar, but mine was already setting me back almost $700, and the double neck was around 11 hundred. I was 17 at the time, and that was a LOT of grass-cutting money! Yes, I still have that guitar.

[@Daves_not_here]

gr8guitarplayer ... That’s incredible. There are so many of us out here that regret selling a guitar that we wish we still had. Keep Rockin’!

[@jppagetoo]

Hehee, Les Pauls were so out of fashion in 1981. That was the age of the Van Halen derived super-Strat.

[@TerlinguaTalkeetna]

Clearly a man of his time and beyond. For me at 66 now, he was of my generation and made life a little brighter for us poor working class kids. Triumph's leaned toward the light not the dark side. Rik and crew saved many a kid with their songs.

[@erickleefeld4883]

Mike Rutherford pioneered his custom double-necks: 12-string on top, and a bass on the bottom - originally made by having a luthier cut up his separate Rickenbacker 12-string and bass instruments, and putting them together!

[@5150stephen]

doublenecks will never fall out of fashion, they're just too cool, hell i want to get 2 more haha

[@thirdgengta]

I couldn't agree more, Stephen. It's funny how Rick didn't even cover that aspect. I have six myself--three Ricks, a Carvin, a Dillion, and a BC Rich. Yeah, they're heavy as hell. But they up your musicianship and provide a boatload of options as to where to go with your song. Yeah, you could cheat and get the same sounds out of a six string and some fancy pedal; but the cool factor is SUCH an important part of a musician's image. You walk onstage with a doubleneck, and the audience knows they're about to get something special. That's the way it was for me with Triumph, Rush, Genesis, and Zebra.

[@shepdgc.og.soldier7732]

I just kept hearing “lay it on the line” during this interview.

[@BW-kv9wj]

Saw him at the 1983 US Festival in San Bernardino CA when I was 17. Triumph blew every band out of the water.

[@i13tony]

How many thousands of times did I listen to Never Surrender, on vinyl, from 1983-1986?? So good!

[@ronnyrickman]

There will ALWAYS be a place for double neck for a TRUE live musician. I have over 500 Vinyl albums in my collection from the late '60s thru the 70's & you can immediately tell an album from a CD because if one band member can sing the rest could be done without picking up an instrument. Every thing can be done by a F****** computer No soul No passion No kick A** Rock & Roll Keep on Rockin Rik

[@thepeladeauprojectband8943]

The blinding light show is a great song! Great video Rik!

[@briannotafan3368]

B L S best guitar song ever bar none i met ric at a club called mcvans in black rock buffalo ny in 1976 they finished a set went to the bar i introduced myself talked to the band they sold me there first album thad a stack with them for sale i bought one 5.00 they autographed it for me i still have i t thanx for the memories guys mcvans is gone your still here thank you guys

[@garykramer5665]

This video and others I've found make me happy, but so do these comments. I really don't do social media, and as a 50 year-old dad of teenagers who still loves music, it just puts a huge smile on my face to see other people saying how big of influence freakin' Triumph had on them at a young age. Me, too! I wore out more than one copy of the Stages cassette in my car in high school, and I kept a quote journal with all kinds of their lyrics, along with other bands and writers. At the end of a pandemic, heading into middle age, this is exactly what I need to reconnect with in my life, like a forgotten wellspring of positive energy and art.

[@mhmt1453]

omg! "Blinding Light Show!" I discovered these guys in 79, and loved those first two albums.. 13 years old, rocking to Triumph at the Stanley theater in Pittsburgh!!

[@batmasterson7918]

Tommy Pouch Blinding Light Show is an incredible song.!

[@dday9257]

Professor Rik Emmit.I could listen to you all day.You would never know if you didn’t know what a great singing voice this man has by listening to him talk.

[@guffinator70]

When he flipped the switch and cranked into it I said, "F*** yeh!"

[@randyweyant8136]

I was thinking the same thing..

[@Mr_tp78]

Thank you, for the music, the inspiration, and for being such a classy, humble musician.

[@viewfromthehighchair9391]

Rik Emmett plays guitar like anyone else breathes. He makes it look so simple. THAT'S what endless practice will do for you kids.

[@davidvazquez5795]

I love you're music, your the best, also you need to be in the rock & roll Hall of fame.

[@BusterRoonie]

The GREAT Rick Emmet… Freakin legend✊🏼

[@jonesjones6124]

Back in the beginning of electric guitar's, I think it was so new, that it was like a new frontier!!! It was like they weren't really adept at soloing and stuff!!! Then, songs like "Johnny be Good" hit the charts!!! And eventually, Led Zepplin, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and my favorite Boston!!! These band's helped revolutionize how songs were written and how the electric guitar solo came into play!!! The first time I heard Triumph was when I was with a girlfriend who had just got back from a Triumph concert and she was still melting down from the experience backstage with the band!!! She gave me her backstage pass that had been autographed by Rik Emmett!! I was like, cool!!! And stored it away!!! But after we broke up, I'm not sure what happened to it!!! It must have gotten lost in the shuffle somewhere when I was moving to another apartment or something!!! Anyway, Triumph has always been a very positive influence on me and when I need a real boost sometimes I turn it on and just "Rock Out!!!!"

[@martinpidhany8278]

Thank you ric and triumph for so many amazing songs !!!!

[@Stasiaflonase]

Hi Rik, good to see and hear from you. I was honored to meet you in Chicago for a listening party for ‘Never Surrender’ .

[@anotherrudeawkening2k610]

Ahhh Rik one the most underrated guitarists. Awesome technician of the ax.

[@Kohntarkosz]

I love how he admits right up front, "You don't NEED one, you WANT one!". LOL

[@mhathaway35]

God what a talented musician. Good to see that he is still playing well. Blinding light show is one of my favorites.

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

I could listen to him play all day. I saw Triumph at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis every year in the 80's. Loved it.

[@stephencastro1437]

Thank you Rik. I am one of those guys. I have an EDS1275, Ebony with gold hardware. And I love it!

[@cbcmusic]

Right on!

[@johnwerner4925]

I think Rik and the remaining members of Rush could be such an awesome combo. I even wondered what Yes might sound like with him as a second guitarist and featured vocalist. He's got such talent. I always enjoy any video with Rik sharing his knowledge and experience..

[@kennethgambone6127]

I love rikk,he just awesome,in my top five guitarist of all times,he should tour again with triumph,or just by himself,he would sell out wareever he goes,very very underated

[@6410daniel]

when i learned how to play ... Magic Power.. was the one ,, and still to this day it gives me chills hearing it... 15 years old in 80... now 53.. Ric was my first influence Dan 4-22-19

[@chrishorton615]

Wasn't Stairway for me it was The Song Remains the Same. I heard the opening notes from the movie and said "I wanna do that!"

[@i.p.knightly149]

Totally agreed, TSRS is one of the best 12-string songs out there. The thing about Page's 1275, I always thought the tone and sound coming out of that guitar rivaled anything else he ever played.

[@frankaq3951]

One of my all-time favourite guitarists, and vocalists.

[@finnthemightyyetgentledark8216]

I got the chance to see him live and solo about 20 years ago. He's super talented.

[@markchidester6239]

Would love to have seen that, in a small club sitting at little round tables.

[@finnthemightyyetgentledark8216]

@@markchidester6239 That's kind of what it was. It was a hotel conference room with tables to sit at

[@TheMidnightSmokerBBQ]

I saw Rik Emmett play the double neck when I saw Triumph live. One of the best concerts I have ever seen.

[@JBDebtFree]

Have to say thanks to Rik Emmett for all he did to inspire me to be a better player. Amazing guy. One of my favorite players.

[@john564holloway]

Rik, this is too kool!! Loved this! Thank you for your time with this!

[@giuseppemartino6889]

It is something guitar players always wanted and it's cool to have.

[@cbcmusic]

Hi Jes, November is Guitar Month at CBC Music. So lots of guitar related stuff coming down the pipe on the site. Hope you like it! :)

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

i've been aware of rik emmett ever since the release of the triumph album 1976(?) but it is only very recently and via youtube that i have come to realise just how extensive his skills and love for music are.

[@SPRPhilly]

Now let's get Rick Nielsen in here to break down the five neck guitar.

[@CassWs-useless-opinions]

Lol. Let's. 😀

[@judemisura4323]

SPRPhilly yes

[@dambo6630]

Love it!

[@andygranatelli8809]

Fuck yeah - Hamer 5 neck!

[@epiphonium]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZ-nn5eZra2Kr68

[@linseyconstantino6139]

I could listen to Rik read the phone book and would still be in my happy place by his words

[@RikEmmett08]

🎸 🎸 ❣🌹

[@johnhelms8226]

Very thoughtful, and very Canadian, interview. Thank you, Rik!

[@impalaman9707]

Canadians are very thoughtful and inquisitive. They want to know what makes the world tick, and I as a like-minded non-Canadian, admire that

[@jimgodofbiscuits]

I saw Triumph live, the first time in early '79 at the Erie County Field house in Erie PA. They git big names in a small general admission venue being smack dab right off I -90 between Cleveland and Buffalo and directly north of Pittsburgh on I-79 to I-90. There is a book about the field house called 9 years of rock at..., but concert promoters in Erie usually had little trouble getting tour managers to add Erie. Also saw them in Buffalo at the old memorial Auditorium, more affectionately called "the Aud". Ric Emmett was effing amazing. There were times you'd swear there was another guitar player off stage but I never heard that of Triumph and just watching him play you could see he was a master. The first band at my first concert was VH opening for Black Sabbath and EVH killed it like none other and set the bar high, but Ric was amazing in his own style. Always LOVED hearing Triumph was touring. Except for the tight one piece jumpsuit ( sorry Ric :) ) triumph of the late 70s and early 80s were a force. This is when lining the bottom edge and the sides and across the top of the stage with basically lightbulbs was a cool stage set. ;). Hey Ric, do you remember playing in Erie? Laughing.....loved it.

[@eternalme6077]

Does Anybody remember, one of the FIRST I did was look at the Guitar's my favorite Artists were playing and back then I noticed Rick playing a Double neck IBANEZ! It wasn't a Gibson, but Oh Man as we all know, he made that baby SCREAM! Me and my friends would try our best to copy him with our 6 stringer's lol...... Anyways this was a Cool vid, it's Really Nice to see him, a GREAT GUITARIST and KILLER SINGER AS WELL, Thanks for Posting this Beauty...........🎸💚

[@famachris]

What a nice fellow and great presentation skills.

[@marshabailey772]

Brilliantly talented musician. I still don't see how you can sing and play that well simultaneously.

[@maryelms5948]

I still remember the first time I heard the song "Rock and Roll Machine". I couldn't wait to share it with my friends, and that one day a year in grade 5 elementary music class where the teacher would let students bring their favourite album to play for the rest of the class ....ahhh the memories of Triumph.

[@RikEmmett08]

🎸 🎸 ❣🌹

[@markcain460]

I wore out cassette tapes trying to figure out and copy Rik's playing in the early 80's. What a great guitarist, criminally under rated.

[@johnmunder7107]

Never Surrender tour was one of my first concerts. Also saw the Thunder Seven tour. They were a great live band & all members were/are very talented. Rick Emmett was one of my fav guitar players and to me, very under rated.

[@fuffoon]

He plays so well.

[@mihorsewoman]

Love him ❤ So talented,and such a nice guy!!! 🎤🎸

[@misterstratocaster]

I have the white w/ gold hardware Epiphone version of this - love the different textures it offers. I play with a worship team, and it always gets people asking questions after the service.

[@musicmanron1969]

no rik .... we wanna play like you do. jimmy would be nice to but if i could just snap my fingers and magicly play like someone it'd have to be you. you play much cleaner and more techicnal,lyrics were much more inspirational to. what ever happend to bands that actually inspired us?

[@karlchristofferson3588]

I double that. I'd love to play like you Rik.

[@TheGlass50]

Well said.

[@michaeldevlin440]

Act like rik respect page like rik better your opinion

[@michaeldevlin440]

Sorry just sick.of people always putting page down

[@corvettecoupe3731]

Damn, your a classic Sir...😎

[@davegto67]

Rik Emmett is such a fantastic guitar player and he's a wonderful and inspirational human. Thank you, Rik!

[@sherrigaskin5656]

This dude is such a nasty gunslinger. Had the pleasure of seeing Triumph play Market Square Arena in Indy the last 3 times they played there. His wickedness and the laser show were so badass. Steve

[@RikEmmett08]

🎸 🎸 ❣🌹

[@DEVAULT.]

I did a one od a kind experiment by downtuning mine to B standard with heavy gauge and I riff out on it. It blends well with the 2nd 6 string guitar sound, within a 4 piece band sound. Heavyyyyyy . . .. Plenty of original songs on my channel. You'll hear things that no DSP can emulate. An acoustic instrument well set up is unbeatable. Thank you Rik Emmett for this awesome video ☀️🤘

[@RastaSaiyaman]

I just watched the performance on the US festival 1983 where Rik played an Ibanez Artist Double neck. I owned one of those and it was like strapping on a grand piano. That fucker was heavy! I also build myself a double neck myself which was a twin neck strat, it looked cool and sounded really good too but was awkward and cumbersome to use. Having said that. I'm STILL looking at double neck guitars with that notion of "They look so cool!" I guess I'm a typical guitarist after all.

[@luisvillarreal5262]

So didn't Rik Emmett play a white Yamaha Double neck guitar in his early days of touring in the 80's? This is great stuff here. Learning the real way to play the gold classics. Thanks Rik!!

[@barneyba]

Yep! Yammers!

[@rjonboy7608]

A thing of beauty in the hands of a true genius.

[@Daves_not_here]

These guitars are addictive. I’ve had mine for three years. It’s like strapping a coffee table to your chest! But I love the damned thing.

[@markhiatt8185]

Doublenecks are coming back. They are being produced mainly out of China, but many names are bringing new favorites. I was on the design team for a model produced by a company called Firefly. These guitars come back as quickly as they fade. The Firefly doubleneck I received as payment for my work on the model is only about four pounds heavier than my Les Paul. As for versatility, nothing beats a doubleneck when you have to switch guitars mid song on stage. I play both bass and guitar. The rythm guitar player to the band I was in also played bass, and we often traded parts. This was a hassle on stage. This is why I encouraged Firefly to introduce a bass/six string doubleneck.

[@grandpadutch9453]

The double neck looks so darn cool!

[@impalaman9707]

To me, the greatest guitar players are those who know, love, and respect the history of the instrument they play. Rik Emmett is one such gentleman---not only a great guitar player, but also a guitar historian

[@khakuda]

Saw him in the 80s. He is still so great, maybe even greater.

[@MrAitraining]

Catch Triumph live at the U.S. Festival 83' Double neck perfection the way he describes on many of the songs. Sweet and soft to shred city!

[@JackieSuz91763]

was there...one of my happiest days!!

[@jonathan-emilypowell1962]

Great explanation should have him to do more segments

[@jefferykaighin7039]

Thank you Rik for making my mid Kansas high school memories Outstanding!

[@scottgolden2766]

I'm liking these clips from Ric Emmett. Guitar playing lesson plus a history lesson to

[@megadezziescat1124]

Love that guitar playing. ❤

[@kevinjokipii4260]

Effects make it easier than ever to get a similar change of sounds during a song without playing a doubleneck. But let's face it - a doubleneck is just a visually imposing and impressive and flat-out cool looking piece of gear, and if a song can be played on one, it gives the guitarist a reason to have it.

[@ToddHLHG]

Amazing guitarist and vocalist!!!! One of my all time fav's!

[@guitartec]

I just pulled out of my office desk drawer a Star Licks Rik Emmett Master Series hand book. I can't believe I still have it from the 80's, and why it's in the back of my desk drawer after all these years, I do not know. What I do know is I got it because he's holding the same guitar I had back then.... a Yamaha SG3000 in white, but his has a Floyd Rose trem on it, mine didn't. Carlos Santana and Neal Schon both use(d) these guitars too. Schon currently has a black SG2000 I think. Carlos uses PRSs these days, but had a custom designed 3000 in the day.

[@kenvorland]

One of my favorite guitar players amazing player and singer rock on forever

[@HalfLifeAMD]

He is a more talented guitarist than the ones he idolizes.

[@BluesLicks101]

No. As great as Rik is, John McLauglin & Steve Howe operate on a whole 'nother level.

[@TheFreeBass]

Taking these 3 influences from different genres I would have to go with; Better than Howe, more "accessible" to your average fan than McLaughlin, & let's face it... pretty much everybody influenced by Page left him far behind.

[@sblack48]

Rik was a good technical player, but he was not an innovator, certainly not in the league of Page. He was playing page and clapton licks. Very well, but still, he was paying within the genre, not expanding it.

[@michaelprosperity3420]

I think Eric Johnson, Al Demeola, Jeff Beck are all great as well.

[@i.p.knightly149]

Guys knocking Page haven't a clue wtf you're talking about.

[@peteryyz43]

4:29 That 'Never Surrender' riff, is just phenomenal.

[@timothyweesner6286]

Or, you see Rik Emmet and Triumph, and go YES!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@luissanabria5861]

Very cool tool in the shed. Sounds amazing

[@zigwald]

the first time i ever heard ric play, i was standing about 6 feet from him. still have the pick he used that night. it wasn't fair! playing leads on a 12 strings....

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

Blinding Light Show is my all time fave rock tune. It's got everything. There's an acoustic solo in the bridge that, if you haven't heard it, you need to go and listen RIGHT NOW. You don't know what you've been missing. Rik is...I don't want to say underrated...more like under appreciated. A brilliant guitarist. Triumph was the sound track of my youth. Not a bad house band...

[@davidbuzzin426]

👍🇨🇦❤VIRTUOSO GUITARIST....1 OF MY FAVS

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

ALWAYS LOVED TRIUMPHS. GOT MY FIRST ONE WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. IT WAS A 650CC IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.

[@briannotafan3368]

i had the honor of meating rick at a small bar called Mc Vans in buffalo ny in 1977 he & the band autographed there first album for me i even bought rick a beer at the bar a small club maby 150 people saw him again at another club in W NY called after dark he was a regular guy after a set he walked around like a regular joe nice guy

[@McMinnManiac]

Sounds like he is playing through a Rockman headphone amplifier. That is true to his era It is amazing anyone can get anything out of it

[@triumphfan770]

No one better than Rik.

[@Dmab661]

Triumph Fan totally agree! A legend!!

[@walterkersting1362]

This guy is intelligent and fun to listen to; he seems to have lost none of his chops...

[@POLLOTROM]

Great explanation, Thank You. Now everything is in pedal or digital.

[@WolfsHaven]

I was thinking with something like a VG Strat there isn't a need for a double neck guitar anymore. Then I noticed the 12 string on top. You just can't just replicate 12 strings on six with effects very well. I'm 8 years late to this video and yet I still find it very informative and relevant. Well done.

[@flashy5150]

I love the retro days, the guitar players had more natural and earthy tones. It’s like; I can’t enjoy drinkin’ with new electronic music but put on some classic Zeppelin, Sabbath, Hendrix Van Halen or even Triumph, and the beer goes down better with every sip and every song. Rik, I met you at a guitar clinic you did way back in the late ‘80’s at the old Royal Connaught Hotel in Hamilton Ontario, that was one fun and interesting guitar clinic. “ Rock out, Roll On” 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻👍👍👍👍