Zemaitis custom 12-string

Both Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett own Zemaitis custom 12-string acoustic guitars, built by renowned luthier Anthony Zemaitis.

Mike Rutherford's Zemaitis 12-string
A customised Zemaitis 12-string was Mike Rutherford's preferred guitar for Genesis work during the early-to-mid 1970s. It appears to have a natural finish, and a single-coil pickup was fitted on the soundhole (PA purposes at least). He would play it on songs like "Supper's Ready". Eventually the Zemaitis was replaced with an Alvarez 5021 12-string for the Wind And Wuthering tour.

Mike on this instrument: "'I'd also gotten a custom-made Zemaitis 12-string acoustic guitar. It's one of those weird guitars that sounds beautiful when you play it live, but never seems to record very well.' (Guitar Player, January 1981)"

Steve Hackett's Zemaitis 12-string
Steve Hackett owns a custom-built Zemaitis 12-string acoustic from 1976. It started when Mike Rutherford was using one in Genesis, which Steve was really pleased with and even borrowed for his debut solo album Voyage Of The Acolyte in 1975. Which led to Steve commissioning Anthony Zemaitis to build one for him as well: "'Mike Rutherford and I used these 12-strings during the mid seventies. They make a wonderful noise, built by the late great Tony Zemaitis. He asked me many years ago what design I wanted whilst showing me a book full of guitars made for several luminaries including Bob Dylan and George Harrison. The guitars looked incredibly ornate and beautiful but when I asked him the all important question - 'What will make it sound best?' 'Just a plain finish' he answered, so that's what I opted for... '"

He would go on to use the Zemaitis 12-string all over his solo songs plus a few Genesis songs.