Vintage Duo Sonic II/Musicmaster II bridges - thoughts?

dren68 · Post by **dren68** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:53 am

So, I recently decided I wanted a Mustang, and while searching for Mustangs and/or Mustang parts, I've noticed a few Duo Sonic and Music Masters and was considering going for one of those instead. The only thing I'm wondering about is the bridge. Has anyone here ever played one? I'm just wondering if it's as good as a Mustang bridge and how it plays. Any thoughts or opinions on them?

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:16 am

They are great bridges. I had a Musicmaster and loved it except for the neck. The only issues people have are with the old tele style saddles. I personally like Mustangs and Broncos a little better, but I know I will have another one some day.

awfurby · Post by **awfurby** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:45 am

The bridge on a DuoSonic-II is fine - it doesn't have to do anything other than hold and intonate the strings, so there's not much that can go wrong with it. I wish the saddles were compensated for better intonation, but it's good enough. And presumably you could mod the bridge with compensated saddles.

Phil O'Keefe · Post by **Phil O'Keefe** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:50 am

I own a Mustang, Duo Sonic II and Music Master, so I'm very familiar with both bridges.

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I actually really like the Duo Sonic II / Music Master bridge. The "hardtail" models have a slightly different feel than a Mustang bridge, even when you're not using the Mustang's vibrato bar. The only issue with them is that, like a Tele, the three saddles means making some compromises in terms of individual string intonation. I get around that by using a $10 - $12 set of compensated brass replacement saddles. They have the added benefit of increasing sustain, and they sound great. With a set of those saddles, I have zero reservations about that bridge.

awfurby · Post by **awfurby** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 6:27 am

Phil O'Keefe wrote:I get around that by using a $10 - $12 set of compensated brass replacement saddles. They have the added benefit of increasing sustain, and they sound great.

Where did you get those saddles? I wouldn't mind trying that.

dren68 · Post by **dren68** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 1:23 pm

Thanks guys. I didn't think about the shared saddles, so that's something to consider. There isn't a modern replacement for the bridges (without modding), is there? I'm assuming there isn't, but just thought I'd ask just in case. I'm still undecided, but I kind of like the look of the Mustang bridge/trem a little more. Who knows, I may end up with a Mustang and a MM or Duo. I mean, why not?

BTW, those are some nice guitars, Phil. I especially like the seafoam green Duo. Did you refinish those?

dren68 · Post by **dren68** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 1:25 pm

taylornutt wrote:They are great bridges. I had a Musicmaster and loved it except for the neck. The only issues people have are with the old tele style saddles. I personally like Mustangs and Broncos a little better, but I know I will have another one some day.

What didn't you like about the neck? Just curious.

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 10:20 pm

The neck can range between 22.5 and 24". I find the 22 to be a fret short so I have to dig around for chords. 24 is close enough to 25.5 to reorient quickly, and the 70s versions are beefy without being stout. Have you ever compared among a pile of baseball bats?

I don't think short necks will ever become more popular than standard size, at least in the US. Yet not only do they increase my fret reach, but the string bends are also easier. It no doubt changes the tone and tension, along with dropping off a few of the highest notes, but I have never noticed.

Phil O'Keefe · Post by **Phil O'Keefe** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 12:21 am

awfurby wrote:
Phil O'Keefe wrote:I get around that by using a $10 - $12 set of compensated brass replacement saddles. They have the added benefit of increasing sustain, and they sound great.
Where did you get those saddles? I wouldn't mind trying that.

http://www.wdmusic.com/compensated_tele ... brass.html

http://store.rsguitarworks.net/nBRSRSCOMPTL.html

I've bought one set from each of those companies. They seem to be identical. Both sets work great. I've got one on the Duo Sonic II, and one on my Telecaster. The Music Master currently just has a stock saddle set on it, but eventually I'll probably replace those too. It really does make a big difference in terms of getting the intonation much closer.

Phil O'Keefe · Post by **Phil O'Keefe** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 12:27 am

dren68 wrote:
BTW, those are some nice guitars, Phil. I especially like the seafoam green Duo. Did you refinish those?

Thank you.

Yes, I did the paint on all three. The Music Master's body was a replacement / non-original, and it's me trying my hand at relicing. The neck is a stock mid 70s Fender neck.

The Mustang is all original from '71. The paint on the body is the only thing that isn't stock. When I got it, the body was completely stripped. I was tempted to leave it alone, but it's better for the wood in the long run to be finished. Eventually I may strip the lacquer I sprayed off and have it professionally re-done in the stock Competition Red with the comp stripes.

The Duo Sonic started out as a mid 70s Music Master. A buddy of mine at the Fender CS routed it for the second pickup and switches, and I did the SFG paint job. It was my first refinish, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I really love that little green guitar. It sounds and plays great - it's one of my favorites for sure!

carthage · Post by **carthage** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 5:16 am

Has anyone ever tried a start toploader hardtail bridge on a duo-sonic?

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:29 pm

Any bridge would work at the right location.

dren68 · Post by **dren68** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 12:56 pm

Phil O'Keefe wrote:
dren68 wrote:
BTW, those are some nice guitars, Phil. I especially like the seafoam green Duo. Did you refinish those?
Thank you. Yes, I did the paint on all three. The Music Master's body was a replacement / non-original, and it's me trying my hand at relicing. The neck is a stock mid 70s Fender neck.

The Mustang is all original from '71. The paint on the body is the only thing that isn't stock. When I got it, the body was completely stripped. I was tempted to leave it alone, but it's better for the wood in the long run to be finished. Eventually I may strip the lacquer I sprayed off and have it professionally re-done in the stock Competition Red with the comp stripes.

The Duo Sonic started out as a mid 70s Music Master. A buddy of mine at the Fender CS routed it for the second pickup and switches, and I did the SFG paint job. It was my first refinish, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I really love that little green guitar. It sounds and plays great - it's one of my favorites for sure!

Well, they all look great! But the seafoam really stands out. There's just something about seafoam/surf green that I like, especially on vintage guitars. Sonic blue, too. I love those colors.

dren68 · Post by **dren68** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 1:08 pm

carthage wrote:Has anyone ever tried a start toploader hardtail bridge on a duo-sonic?

I had a similar thought, but I was also looking at this and wondered if it would work. http://www.darrenriley.com/shop/cart.ph ... tail&p=448
I'm not sure if the four holes on the bottom would line up, but I'm guessing you'd have to cut the top part off to even use it on a Duo/MM. It probably wouldn't be worth the trouble.

nyweb · Post by **nyweb** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 1:11 pm

If you want to stay close to original, this is what I just ordered for my 1960 Musicmaster. Found it on Amazon by accident.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AYTMAM/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

carthage · Post by **carthage** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 7:13 pm

Yes but that's not a Duo Sonic II as discussed in this thread

nyweb · Post by **nyweb** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:13 pm

Oops....didn't notice the II !

Vintage Duo Sonic II/Musicmaster II bridges - thoughts?

Vintage Duo Sonic II/Musicmaster II bridges - thoughts?

Musicmaster/Duosonic bridge