MIM Duo Sonic to vintage Duo Sonic conversion?

Grinch89

Hi everyone, I have a question.

Would it be possible to convert a MIM Duo Sonic reissue to a vintage Duo Sonic?

I want to buy a MIM Duo Sonic, sand it down completely, and convert it to a vintage 1964 model.

Would it be possible?

Thanks,

Nick

LIFE

What exactly are you asking? If you can convert a guitar made in the '90s to it being made in the '60s? No, a guitar can only be a '64 if it was made in '64.

Grinch89

Obviously you can't do that.

I'm saying is it possible to start with a MIM Duo Sonic, and end up with this:

It doesn't have to be a 1964 model. It could be an earlier one like that with the other pickguard.

What I'm saying is that will reissue parts fit a MIM Duo Sonic? Like, if I bought a pickguard would it work out?

Basically, if I bought a MIM Duo Sonic, could I use its body and neck to completely retrofit it? Would parts meant for a 1960s Duo Sonic fit a 1993 Duo Sonic?

Aug

it is possible, but I think the pg would be need to be custom, you'll need a refin if you intend to locate an original bridge and whatnot.

but, this is purely speculation based on my knowledge of the MIM Duos.

LIFE

You'll need to buy a vintage neck if you want it like that. The reissues never had rosewood. Obviously a refinish, and you'll need to find a vintage bridge too. Why do you want to do this?

Grinch89

No, no. It doesn't have to be a rosewood neck. I'm talking about a GENERAL era of Duo Sonics from that time period. A maple neck would be fine since they made Duo Sonics back then with maple necks.

I just want to know if reissue pickguards will fit right around the neck pocket and the guitar in general. Or, if plastic button Klusons will line up correctly. Just little things like this.

I basically want to know if a MIM Duo Sonic can be modified to resemble a 60s model without having to completely alter the wood.

mumblyjoe

They have different scale lengths ie the MIM have a scale of 22.3" (dont quote me on the exact number) while the originals had 22.5" . You can definately make it look the same but the scale will be different.

mumblyjoe

I dunno if a replica guard would fit right, I dont know if the MIM Duo is based off the original Duos or the Duo II, which have a very slight change in body shape. Worst come to worst, you might need to drill some new holes.

For pickups, Seymour Duncan Antiquity Duo pickups should do.

Aug

22.7" not 22.3"

guitardude3000gt

You want this:

to look like this:

???

I'm pretty sure the pickguard would fit, but you'd have to fill the wholes from the original bridge, and then drill new holes for the vintage bridge, route for the straight bridge pickup instead of the slanted one (unless it's swimming pool routed), and then it should fit fine. As for the tuners I don't know if they are routed to fit klusons, but if they aren't you could always get conversion bushings.

Overall, I don't understand why you would want to do all that work for such a little bit of an aesthetic difference.

paul_

you'd have other issues with using an original pickguard, like the placement of the volume/tone knobs and pickups and their respective routes in the body underneath...

i say the MIM guitar is similar enough that you should just have a gold anodized pickguard made for it, get some pole-less stang covers for those pickups (maybe upgrade to duncan antiquity duos) and ignore the rest. it'll still have a vintage duo look to it with the guard and pickup covers changed. that MIM bridge is probably equal/better anyway (it certainly looks nicer), and i doubt straightening the bridge pickup will make a huge difference.

the kluson tuners are a no-no, because i think those posts are bigger than kluson ones.

guitardude3000gt

paul_ said: you'd have other issues with using an original pickguard, like the placement of the volume/tone knobs and pickups and their respective routes in the body underneath...
i say the MIM guitar is similar enough that you should just have a gold anodized pickguard made for it, get some pole-less stang covers for those pickups (maybe upgrade to duncan antiquity duos) and ignore the rest. it'll still have a vintage duo look to it with the guard and pickup covers changed. that MIM bridge is probably equal/better anyway (it certainly looks nicer), and i doubt straightening the bridge pickup will make a huge difference.

Agreed. Do what he said.