Buying a MIM Duo (22.5" scale)

[glitchathon]

I know that the MIM Fender Duo Sonic are 22.5" scale. I would eventually want to convert this to a 24" scale. Does anyone know what is involved in doing so? I would think the bridge would need to be moved to work with a 24" scale neck. Wondering if anyone has tried this?

[Dice]

I've never messed with the MIM models - but on the 60s student models, the 24" and 22.5" scale necks are interchangeable - the adjustment at the bridge for intonation is negligible.

[glitchathon]

ah it is 22.7" is the scale.

this is the ad
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/1632109717.html

The reason I want to buy this is the vintage kluson tuners and the 1966 duo II bridge he put on it. The original tuners and bridge is also included.

The bridge and tuners alone is worth nearly the amount. If the guitar is cool, i'd just put the originals back on and leave it alone and have some parts for a proper Duo II project.

[Dice]

Right - that bridge is worth at least $100 if the saddles are original. That would be a great deal. I'd buy it if it were local in an instant.

[glitchathon]

Right - that bridge is worth at least $100 if the saddles are original. That would be a great deal. I'd buy it if it were local in an instant.

yep already contacted the seller.

[plesiosaurus]

I had my eye on that sucker. I might have picked it up if I could at all justify buying another guitar right now. It's pretty. I'm glad a shortscaler is getting it.

[Haze]

22 frets = 24" shortscale homie...

fuck me thats a 20 fret version my bad, i was just looking for a dot on the end

[johnniespring]

I know that the MIM Fender Duo Sonic are 22.5" scale. I would eventually want to convert this to a 24" scale. Does anyone know what is involved in doing so? I would think the bridge would need to be moved to work with a 24" scale neck. Wondering if anyone has tried this?

I changed the neck for a 25.5" scale neck on one of my MIM duos for a while a few years ago. The saddles were adjustable enough to manage without needing to change the bridge position. I can't remember now what bridge I used on it at the time. It now has the original neck on, but no electrics, guard or bridge. It did have strings until a year or two ago....
I've never tried to put a 24" neck on one of them though.

[glitchathon]

I know that the MIM Fender Duo Sonic are 22.5" scale. I would eventually want to convert this to a 24" scale. Does anyone know what is involved in doing so? I would think the bridge would need to be moved to work with a 24" scale neck. Wondering if anyone has tried this?

I changed the neck for a 25.5" scale neck on one of my MIM duos for a while a few years ago. The saddles were adjustable enough to manage without needing to change the bridge position. I can't remember now what bridge I used on it at the time. It now has the original neck on, but no electrics, guard or bridge. It did have strings until a year or two ago....
I've never tried to put a 24" neck on one of them though.

thanks for the feedback. yea i heard a 25.5" scale works well on it but have not heard anything conclusive about 24" scale necks.


I may just leave it alone and give it to a kid or something. I have squared out the sale and will be picking it up soon.

[Mages]

yea i heard a 25.5" scale works well on it but have not heard anything conclusive about 24" scale necks.

well you can't put 24" scale necks on 25.5" scale guitars without major issues so I'm going to say no. the only option would be a 24" conversion neck of some sort like the jagmaster neck ends put on his duo-sonic.

[Mages]

Right - that bridge is worth at least $100 if the saddles are original. That would be a great deal. I'd buy it if it were local in an instant.

you wouldn't be suggesting parting this out would you? =P

nah, $200 is a pretty fair/normal price for these guitars. I bought a squier one for $100.

[Dice]

Right - that bridge is worth at least $100 if the saddles are original. That would be a great deal. I'd buy it if it were local in an instant.

you wouldn't be suggesting parting this out would you? =P

nah, $200 is a pretty fair/normal price for these guitars. I bought a squier one for $100.

You mean, stripping the vintage parts from a MIM Duo? I see nothing wrong with that.

[Mages]

O I C... it is a vintage bridge, I thought it looked a little funny.

[Haze]

Right - that bridge is worth at least $100 if the saddles are original. That would be a great deal. I'd buy it if it were local in an instant.

you wouldn't be suggesting parting this out would you? =P

nah, $200 is a pretty fair/normal price for these guitars. I bought a squier one for $100.

and then i bought it for a bill and stealth'd it

► Show Spoiler

pm me if you end up wanting to sell that bridge, ive got me a vintage musicmaster project in the pipelines

[glitchathon]

i'll be keeping the bridge and tuners for a future project, i presume. but will give you first dibs if I decide I don't need it.

should have it in my hands on Saturday.

[johnniespring]

yea i heard a 25.5" scale works well on it but have not heard anything conclusive about 24" scale necks.

well you can't put 24" scale necks on 25.5" scale guitars without major issues so I'm going to say no. the only option would be a 24" conversion neck of some sort like the jagmaster neck ends put on his duo-sonic.

Some people have said that the 22.7" neck is a conversion neck and that may be why the 25.5" neck works, but I dunno if that is right.

People try putting 24" necks on 25.5" scale bodies with fixed bridges, or bridges with minimal saddle adjustment so that's why people say it won't work.

The neck saddles can adjust a lot on MIM duos so there may just be enough adjustment space to make a 24" work. I've just tried measuring. I think the saddles won't quite adjust far enough though - i think it'll be about 1/4" out. So if my measuring was right. It won't work.

I could try it, but that'd mean the hassle of taking strings off two guitars, switching necks, restringing, setting up and then switching everything back. That's far too much work for someone lazy like me.

[Mages]

yeah, I agree everything you said there. it doesn't seem like it's exactly a conversion neck does it. and yes, the saddles on that guitar have a massive amount of play.

[glitchathon]

picked it up today for $190. Cool guitar. 22.7" scale feels tiny and hard to get used to. Did some measurements and believe a 24" scale neck will NOT work without moving the bridge. I'll just leave it alone, i think.

The '66 vintage bridge it came with looks to be totally original (missing one mounting screw but I can pick one up no problem). Kluson style tuners are nice, though it is using the bushings from the originals, so i'll need to get bushings for the Klusons when I put the original tuners back on. Add $5-$10 for those bushings and i will have nice set of kluson style tuners and a Duo II bridge for a future project. Might give the guitar away to a kid, though i wouldn't mind keeping it as well!

[glitchathon]

Did some more measurements, and here are my preliminary findings. To change to 24" scale:

It seems I need to do the following:
- New hole pattern on neck. The neck pocket is about .25" off, so I'd pilot new holes in the neck and maybe plug the old holes.
- Move the bridge forward (approx 0.5"). Longer screws on the bridge can almost work to extend the saddles out, but to intonate properly, I am estimating that the saddles will want to run off the edge of the bridge plate.
- Route the pickguard to allow for the bridge to move forward.

[Mages]

The '66 vintage bridge it came with looks to be totally original (missing one mounting screw but I can pick one up no problem).

I've had to replace that screw before as well and the screw is the same as an american strat height adjustment screw. the tele screws that are used with the brass saddles will not work. and import fenders use metric threaded screws so they won't work either.