Modding a CV Duosonic

[hazelwould]

So I got one of these locally for like $200, and it's a really cool guitar. It's got a really nice neck, and seems pretty solid. My only gripe is the pups... First off, there isn't a whole lot of variation between the bridge and neck (just a little bit more bass on the neck). Secondly, they sound pretty great clean, but with every fuzz I've tried playing it through, it doesn't sound so good. I've tried a Lovekraft Chupacabra (Landgraff MO'd/Rat clone), a triangle muff, a WIIO, DOD Bass Grunge, Dano Fabtone, and a few others. Nothing at any higher gain settings sound right. It gets really mushy and grainy, if that makes any sense. At lower gain settings, it sounds pretty good though.

With that said, I'm wanting to try some new pups. I love that Mustang sound (kinda bold and punchy), but if not taking fuzz well is a characteristic (which I don't know because I haven't played a whole lot), then I'll shy away from mustang pups. I'm looking at doing a Lace Sensor Red in the bridge, and a Blue in the neck. OR doing a hotter set of the Mustang replacements from Lindy Fralins or some Seymour Duncans. Any thing else I suggest? I've looked at the GFS and am not opposed at all. Less money the better.

I'm also curious if the interior has the ability to take a more standard mustang pick guard (wider space between the neck and bridge). I'm wondering if that would allow for more tonal variation. As well as some potential tonal options (with mustang switches). Any good wiring diagrams?

Lastly, I've contemplated installing a mustang tremolo on it, or a bigsby. Any suggestions on this? Would it be a bitch staying in tune with a tremolo? I can be a pretty agressive player, and would like it to stay in tune pretty well.

So maybe a FULL mustang conversion.

Sorry about the wordy post. Thanks for the help!

[Aeon]

I had Lace Sensors in my Mustang, and they worked very well esp. with fuzz.

Siamese Dream was recorded with Strats with those pickups in them, and its probably the best 'fuzz album'.


If you want even more variation though, maybe try putting a humbucker or P90 in the bridge. They have those in single coil size so you wouldn't have to modify the pickguard or route the body.

[stewart]

sounds like you'd have been better off with a jagmaster or something.

[hazelwould]

sounds like you'd have been better off with a jagmaster or something.

Yea,don't get me wrong... I love the guitar. Biggest gripe is how it acts with fuzz.

[Mages]

a mustang pickguard wont fit because the body is not offset.

[kypdurron]

My only gripe is the pups... First off, there isn't a whole lot of variation between the bridge and neck (just a little bit more bass on the neck).

That is due to the position of the bridge pickup. It won't change if you install other pickups in the same pickguard. To be honest, the sound won't change very much at all as long as you keep the pickguard. (I tried some overwound Strat pickups, and they sounded really similar to the stock pickups). The Pickups are fine, but no gain experts, maybe.

[Sublimedo]

haha i was going to say, for a full mustang conversion you're going to have to stretch the right side of the body to make it offset. A Luthier/Magician can do this for 40 rupees.

Srsly though. the pickups in the Duo are alnico Vs, there just as good as another higher end pickup in dealing with fuzz. The bridge pickup location may be a tonal problem for you, or maybe not as the bridge pickup is bright as hell anyway. Try changing both pickup and pickup location, if you can/want.

[hazelwould]

haha i was going to say, for a full mustang conversion you're going to have to stretch the right side of the body to make it offset. A Luthier/Magician can do this for 40 rupees.

Srsly though. the pickups in the Duo are alnico Vs, there just as good as another higher end pickup in dealing with fuzz. The bridge pickup location may be a tonal problem for you, or maybe not as the bridge pickup is bright as hell anyway. Try changing both pickup and pickup location, if you can/want.

hm... Maybe I'll consider something like this in the bridge. This should at least give me some crunch.
Wilde Bill's Twin Blades

[Pullover]

You might try changing out the cap and/or the potentiometers first before you go changing the pickups. That can make a huge difference.

[robroe]

GFS FATBOY TO THE RESCUE!!!!!

P BASS POLE PIECES !!!!

http://store.guitarfetish.com/alfa10kovteb.html

i have one in my esquire. billy has one, im sure a couple others on here have one too.

[taylornutt]

a mustang pickguard wont fit because the body is not offset.

Can you explain what you mean about the body not being offset?

[Sublimedo]

notice the curve of the bottom of the guitar verses the curve of this one



they're different shapes basically

[taylornutt]

notice the curve of the bottom of the guitar verses the curve of this one



they're different shapes basically

I see it now. The waist on the bottom is in a different place. (Moved forward on the Duo) Did Squier make that change or is it reminiscent of the old Duos? I know the post Mustang Duos and Musicmasters used the Mustang body. Another question. How does the angled pickup affect the sound? Both Mustang pups are angled while only the neck in the Duo is angled.

How different are the CV Duo's pups to Stock Mustang pups?

[Sublimedo]

Vintage duos had that nonoffset-waist. The idea behind angling the pickup that way is that the brightest tone comes from areas closest to the bridge. Them being angled allows for more of that fender brightness. Most fenders can get pretty bright without the angle anyway, however.

It may just be me, but I think the pups(which are made in China I believe) in the new duo have a lot more character than the typical stock Japanese pups found in the RI mustangs.

[Mages]

yea, sub put it pretty well. the offset body is a patented fender concept first introduced on the jazzmaster in 1959. the cutaway of the body is shifted down towards the bridge to make the guitar more comfortable and balanced in a sitting position.



next came the jaguar, released in '62. then when they released the mustang -- which was offset -- in late '64 they updated all the student models in the same fashion. later additions to the offset family were the bronco and the starcaster. sub has a starcaster, I touched it, it's badass (but the case is not offset! it's a secret offset! ).

but yea, from '57 - '64 the student models were not offset. The Squier Duo Sonic is kind of based on a '50s Duo Sonic. here is an old image I made comparing the 50s Duo Sonic to the Squier.



so not exactly the same but you can see what they were going for. they basically took the '90s Duo Sonic and changed a few things to make it more like the '50s model.

[taylornutt]

That means I have to get a "offset" student model to round out the family.

[kypdurron]

How different are the CV Duo's pups to Stock Mustang pups?

My impression was that they are fatter and warmer sounding. A little more of that sustainy-singing Strat tone than a Mustang. But it may not only be the pickups, that cause the CV Duo sound more like a Strat than a Mustang does. Overall, the CV Duo sounds more like your common mainstream guitar, than a Mustang does - even a Mustang loaded with Strat pups. but not bad.

My '65(66?) Duo sounds pretty much like a Mustang. I would'nt even say the character differs much from my RI Mustang. It has a little more sustain due to the fixed bridge, but it reacts in the same way on gain settings. It's not what they are made for. But sometimes this is exactly what you may look for.