“Hutchinsmake boutique and retro guitars, often creating instruments that, by Gary’s own admission, ‘should never have been made’”: How many necks are too many necks? Hutchins’ epic five and six-necked electric guitars go up for auction

Joby Hobbs and Luke Hobbs of Gardiner Houlgate with two five-necked Hutchins guitars.

Gardiner Houlgate describes itself as “the specialist auctioneers” but even by its standards – selling antique clocks, electric guitars owned by the likes of Gary Moore – it has outdone itself for its forthcoming March auction. Forget six-strings, it’s selling a six-necked electric guitar. And of c ourse it is called The Beast.

As is its wont, the Wiltshire, England auction house has gathered some super-significant rarities among the 1,300 items going under the hammer.