The smaller body is ideal for smaller players or for energetic stage performances. Topped by a 9.5-radius rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets, the "C-shaped maple neck is comfortable for all playing styles and ideal for players with smaller hands, or those who use extended chord forms.The six-saddle string through-body hardtail Strat bridge increases sustain while the bent steel saddles add some zing to your tone, enhancing the upper harmonics to cut through a dense mix. The push/pull tone pot switches to single coil operation on the humbucking bridge pickup, unlocking a variety of tones that can be shaped via the master volume and tone controls to find just the right sound.The 24 scale adds a bit of warmth and thickness to the guitars inherent tone, while granting a slinkier playing feel, making it easier to perform multi-step bends. The single-coil Duo-Sonic neck pickup is joined by a vintage spec humbucking bridge pickup for flexible tone that can match any playing style imaginable. Its the ideal companion for adventurous players who arent afraid to buck the norm and shatter expectations.The Duo-Sonic HS new pickups let the true voice of the instrument shine. Strings for Nylon-String Acoustic GuitarsĪ modernized version of a student-turned-classic instrument originally released in 1956, the Duo-Sonic HS models compact form belies its giant-sized sound.Strings for Steel-String Acoustic Guitars.The model was also played by Mike Bloomfield with the Group in 1964, and both original and longer Duo-Sonic II models were hoisted by Rory Gallagher, Walter Becker, David Byrne, Liz Phair and Dweezil Zappa. Jimi Hendrix was photographed playing two different late-’50s or early ’60s Duo Sonics, in Desert Sand and sunburst, respectively, while backing both Curtis Knight and the Isley Brothers. Underneath those plastic pickup covers lurk single-coil pickups that are similar to Stratocaster pickups of the era, but with flush pole pieces.ĭespite its diminutive status, the Duo-Sonic racked up quite a roster of pro players over the years. In addition, the model’s toggle-style pickup selector was swapped for two slider switches, one above each pickup, as found on the Mustang. The Duo-Sonic II also gained the option of a somewhat longer 24-inch scale length, although 22.5-inch versions remained available for a few years. Jimi Hendrix was photographed playing two different late-’50s or early ’60s Duo Sonics, in Desert Sand and sunburst, respectively, while backing both Curtis Knight and the Isley BrothersĪs a result, many such models from the mid ’60s and after are even heavier than their larger-bodied, 25.5-inch-scale siblings. In later years, particularly when the Duo-Sonic II arrived in late ’64, Fender switched to poplar for most of these, including the Mustangs that would join them. Like Fender’s other notable guitars of the period, early Duo-Sonics had bodies made of ash and alder. A sunburst finish was available around 1960, by which time a rosewood fretboard had been added and the aluminum pickguard switched out for white plastic. The ’50s maple neck with an integral maple fretboard is an unusual thing on any student-model Fender, and the white plastic pickup covers and anodized aluminum pickguard present some tastefully contrasting styling.įender offered the Duo-Sonic only in Desert Sand finish for its first few years of production. Fender 1957 Duo-Sonic in Desert Sand (Image credit: Tom Dumont)Įarly examples, like the ’57 displayed here, carry the features collectors and many players most like to see in these guitars.
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