![]() (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. (31.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. ![]() This is a very nicely preserved example and a fine-playing, light, handy little guitar.Overall length is 39 7/8 in. With its string-through body-mounted bridge, the Duo-Sonic II is a more solid-feeling instrument than the tremolo-equipped Mustang it shares all other features with and is often found to hold tuning more steadfastly. The switches for the two pickups offer interesting in/out of phase sonic options, identical to the Mustang.Something of a forgotten model in the mid-'60's, the Duo-Sonic was eclipsed in the mid-'60s by the Mustang which sold over 16,000 units in 1966 alone. This has the longer of two scale lengths offered, 24" (shared with most examples of the Mustang) which most players find friendlier than the very short 22 1/2" scale the Duo-sonic started out with in 1957. The neck is dated to March 1966, just over a year into the CBS era. It just goes to show how much a snazzy name and a whammy bar mattered in the mid-60's! This red-finished 1965 example has a pearl celluloid pickguard with black pickup covers and switches that was the most popular color scheme. By contrast the Duo-Sonic seemed to fade away, even though it was at that point the same instrument without a vibrato. THAT guitar took off to become one of the most popular electrics of the 1960's, possibly the most successful student solidbody ever made. ![]() This Fender Duo-Sonic II was assembled about two years after the model was redesigned in mid-1964 with components interchangeable with the new Mustang. Having said this, there are a lot worse guitars out there, and as well as being historically important, the 1820 bass can certainly provide the goods when required.Fender Duo-Sonic II Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in Fullerton, California, Dakota Red finish, alder body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. Over the course of the 70s, the Japanese output improved dramatically, and in many ways these early 70s models are a low point for the brand. These new Epiphones were based on existing Matsumoku guitars, sharing body shapes, and hardware, but the Epiphone line was somewhat upgraded, with inlaid logos and a 2x2 peghead configuration. The Matsumokufactory had been producing guitars for export for some time, but the 1820 bass(alongside a number of guitar models and the 5120 electric acoustic bass) were the first Epiphone models to be made there. Other electric models include: HOFNER ELECTRICS: Committee, Verithin 66, Ambassador, President, Senator, Galaxie, HOFNER BASSES: Violin bass, Verithin bass, Senator bass, Professional bass GIBSON ELECTRICS: Barney Kessel, ES-330TD, ES-335TD, ES-345TD, ES-175D, ES-125CD, SG Standard, SG Junior, SG Special GIBSON BASSES: EB-0, EB-2, EB-3 - plus a LOT of acoustics branded Gibson, Hofner, Selmer and Gianniniīy the end of the 1960s, a decision had been made to move Epiphone guitar production from the USA (at the Kalamazoo plant where Gibson guitars were made), to Matsumoto in Japan, creating a line of guitars and basses significantly less expensive than the USA-built models (actually less than half the price). This catalogue saw the (re-)introduction of the late sixties Gibson Les Paul Custom and Les Paul Standard (see page 69) and the short-lived Hofner Club 70. Selmer were the exclusive United Kingdom distributors of Hofner and Gibson at the time, and this catalogue contains a total of 18 electric guitars, 7 bass guitars, 37 acoustics, and 2 Hawaiian guitars - all produced outside the UK and imported by Selmer, with UK prices included in guineas. Scan of 1968/1969 Selmer guitar catalogue (printed July 1968), showing the entire range of electric and acoustic guitars distributed by the company: guitars by Hofner, Gibson, Selmer and Giannini. These post-1964 guitars were designated the Fender Duo-Sonic II.ĭue to their comparatively early demise, the Fender Duo-Sonic is one of the least well-known Fender solid body guitars, but they have found favour with many musicians, especially those that appreciate the simplicity and stability of a guitar with simple controls, easy-playing action, and no tremolo. The Duo-Sonic remained in the Fender line for the next 13 years, evolving slightly as time went by most notably in 1964 at which point a longer 24" scale version became available alongside the 22 1/2" three-quarter size. But the Duo-Sonic build quality was every bit as good as the more expensive models. The guitars were smaller great for younger guitarists, and those with smaller hands. These guitars were described as 3/4 size, though the scale length was actually 22 1/2" - a little shorter than the standard 25" of most Fender guitars. The updated Duo-Sonic in the 1960 Fender catalog, with sunburst finish, and white plastic scratchplate.įender launched two student guitars in 1956, the single pickup Musicmaster and a few months later, the dual pickup Duo-Sonic.
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