This is Jordan Rudess’s latest project: a custom half-guitar, half-keyboard built by Druzkowski Guitars
In recent years it has become clear that Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess is not content with achieving a virtuoso level of performance on the keys alone, and is increasingly turning his attention to the electric guitar as well.
Over on YouTube, Rudess has previously posted clips of him shredding both instruments at once, and under one such video, a commenter called the Jedi Council (of course) suggested a plan (opens in new tab):
“Brother. I just had a crazy idea. We need a twin neck, guitar synth. Mini keyboard for one neck, guitar for the other neck. Load it with effects and call it The Wizard’s Axe.”
Well, this fan fantasy seems to have come a step closer to reality lately. In a recent update, Rudess posted a short clip showcasing a half-guitar, half-keyboard prototype being produced by custom builder Druzkowski Guitars.
Rudess opens the video by showing simultaneous playing on both sides of the instrument, using guitar and keyboard to play in harmony with each other.
“I’m very excited,” says Rudess. “Because today I got to see the very first prototype of a new instrument that I am designing together with master luthier Przemek Druzkowski. This is the first prototype and I’m blown away because I didn’t expect to see it today. You can see it’s all in one piece. It’s entirely a prototype and I’m sharing it with you so you can look forward to it too.”
He later comments, “It weighs about the same as a Les Paul… It’s going to be great. It will feature one of Przemek’s guitar designs and have a MIDI keyboard underneath it.”
Druzkowski Guitars had previously put together an eight-string, Strandberg-style, headless signature guitar for Rudess, which they dubbed The Wizard Guitar (opens in new tab).
The new build shares some features with this model, including a bridge cutaway and the signature long top horn, but currently incorporates a six-string single humbucker design. On the keyboard side, there’s a (somewhat clumsy) 49-key MIDI keyboard.
It’s, as Rudess points out, largely in the prototype stage – you’ll see that it’s literally being held together with gaffer tape in places – so there’ll no doubt be some big changes before it’s finalized.
It’s an intriguing prospect nonetheless – even if it feels like Rudess is the only player in the world capable of making the most of this quirk in guitar history.