Just to clarify, Michael had an earlier Quad Guitar made for him by Chandler. Most of the older videos showing him doing the 4-neck thing were with that one. He only played it on one song in his concerts, but it became such a signature thing. Anyway, the Chandler Quad came apart into two flight cases and, a couple of years ago, half of it got stolen. So, he stopped doing the 4-neck act, and his fans were pissed.
Michael is a Dean endorser, and he convinced them to sponsor construction of a new improved Super Quad Guitar. Dean sent the job to us, but they paid for it. Those look like Dean necks, but they are custom made by us. I made the main structures of the necks and all of the special metal parts. Mike Lipe did the shaping and detail work on the necks, built the bodies, and did the final assembly. The finish was done by Scary Graphics and Pat Wilkins.
You may not realize it, but the larger guitar companies will often subcontract out the construction of prototype or endorser instruments to small specialty Luthiers like us. Even when they have their own custom shops, it can be cheaper and faster to have us build the oddball instruments that you see at the NAMM show or out with some rock star. And these days, many of the smaller companies can't afford to keep their own custom shops going. Mike and I have built about a hundred specials for various companies over the last decade.
This one was a fun project, just to stretch the limits. Michael Batio participated in the design of it and came by my shop several times during the construction. An interesting guy, very knowledgeable technically. He fully understands that the 4-neck thing is a stunt for the fans, and would rather play his magic on a single guitar. But, this is show business!
