18 replies to this topic

[will_s]

in my music shop they have a duo sonic and are selling it for 100-150 euros. it's in pretty good shape so i think this is a reasonable price...

do i buy it or not? and are there differences with the mustang other than the bridge?

[Purplehaze19x]

I think thats a good price for a Duo. I wouldnt mind getting one myself. as to the difference between a Duo and a Mustang, im not sure simply because i have never had a Duo, but i have several Mustangs. The odvious differences are the electronic configuration, Mustang are made in Japan, Duo are made in Mexico, different tunning keys..etc. And i may be wrong but doesnt a Duo have a slighty shorter scale neck????

[Aug]

From Wiki:

The Fender Duo-Sonic guitar was introduced by Fender in 1956 as a “student” model guitar. Like the Musicmaster introduced a few months earlier, it featured crude but effective construction and a 22.5 inch scale length (standard Fender guitars feature a 25.5 inch scale). The “Duo-Sonic” features two pick-ups and a vertical (as opposed to Fender's standard blade-style) selector switch on the lower horn of the body.
In 1964 both models were redesigned based on the Fender Mustang that had recently been added to the student model line. All three guitars now featured larger and slightly offset bodies, necks with larger headstocks and rosewood fingerboards and plastic pickguards with the volume and tone controls mounted on a separate metal plate. Pick-up selection was moved above the pick-ups on both the Duo-Sonic and the Mustang and utilized two 3-position on-off-on switches that allowed for in and out-of-phase sounds. The pickups were also reverse-wound/reverse-polarity, which made them into a functional Humbucker when both pick-ups were used simultaniously. Also added in this redesign was the option of a 24 inch scale neck in addition to the 22.5 inch scale. This re-designed model was re-named Duo-Sonic II although decals with and without the II designation were used occasionally.
The Duo-Sonic lasted until 1969 when it was dropped most likely because the Mustang with its tremolo tail piece was far more popular. It was reissued in the middle of the 1990's, yet was again discontinued in 1997.
The Duo-Sonic is closely identified with Liz Phair though it was used by David Byrne of the Talking Heads early in their career as well as Jimi Hendrix (when he toured the under the name Jimmy James with The Isley Brothers). Johnny Winter also used a modified Duo-Sonic during the late 1960s and early 1970s, particularly on his first few albums. Patti Smith also plays a Duo-Sonic and has featured her guitar in song lyrics, for example in "Radio Ethiopia/Abyssinia" from the Radio Ethiopia LP.
The Duo-Sonic I and II are both considered rare and have displayed growing collector value. The Duo-Sonic II in particular is often seen as a desirable alternative to the more popular Mustang, since it negates the difficult-to-maintain tremolo bridge.

[will_s]

And i may be wrong but doesnt a Duo have a slighty shorter scale neck????

yes, now that you mention it, the neck did look shorter than my mustang. it also had a toggle switch on the lower horn, instead of the two sliding switches.

[lamp]

I'm guessing it's not an original 60's duo sonic for 150 euros, right?

[Purplehaze19x]

I got the impression he was talking about a '90's Mexican Duo, but if not, than thers not much difference. the bridge is the only thing i can think of.. but you did say it had a toggle on the lower horn, so yeah i believe its the Mexican '90s Duo.

[will_s]

150 euros is a low price for a original indeed, so i kind of figured out that it couldn't be an original.

does anyone have any experience playing the small scale neck? how does it feel?

[Aug]

150 euros is a low price for a original indeed, so i kind of figured out that it couldn't be an original.

does anyone have any experience playing the small scale neck? how does it feel?

it's teh SEX!!1

[will_s]

how much did a new duo-sonic reissue cost?

[Seymourdimazio]

i have just spent $150 on a duo-sonic re-issue, i think it was made in about 1992-3 and it has a shorter scale-length than my mustang, it also has different selector switches, although you can get them with the same switches. the main differences is the bridge, although this is not a problem. i think 150 euros is good value if it is in good condition.

[will_s]

i already bought the guitar and got it for 100 euros. it's in good shape, only the selector switch is a bit loose and needs to be put in so it doesn't move around. the pickups are better than i expected and i like the les paul like pickup selector on the lower horn, it's very easy to use.

[BanditGuitarist1]

pics please!

[will_s]

this is the only picture i've taken so far, this is how i found it. right now the switch is being repaired in the shop.

[BanditGuitarist1]

THATS ONE BEAUTIFUL GUITAR!

[Aug]

that geetar needs two Seymour Duncan Hot For Strat pups and some robroe covers, with an Aug W/B/W pickguard...then...and only then, will it be HOT!!1

[SawaotheBuster]

Awesome...I havn't seen or played a Duo-sonic, but like all the other obscure fenders, it is out of my reach...DAMN Strats and Teles

[will_s]

this one has the 22,5 inch scale, it plays like a dream. it's extremely light too.

I might change the pickups but to decide i'll have to play it with my band first to really see what it's capable of.
any pickups combination suggestions are welcome

seymour duncan has this antiquity series with remakes of duo sonic pickups. anyone know if they are good (probably expensive)?
http://www.seymourdu...antiquity.shtml

[BanditGuitarist1]

JB Jr bridge,Cool Rail Neck?

[landon]

ive got one just like that but with two white pickups and i want to sell or trade it so any ones intrested let me know