To Buy or Not to Buy: 1966-7 Duo Sonic II

MMPicker · Post by **MMPicker** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:26 pm

Pacafeliz wrote:gorgeous... but about 50% too expensive!

Johnny Noir wrote:yes absolutely gorgeous but expensive

We each have our aesthetic sensibilities.
As for me, I think the white bodied ones start looking not so great as they age.
They started out with a white body, white pickup covers, and white slder switches, that were all the same or complementary hues, such that they looked good together as a unified whole. But over time, the body becomes yellow or creme color, the pickup covers become towards a snotty color while the sliders stay relatively white. At that point I find that, to me, they no longer look good together, more like three disparate, non-matching, non-complementary colors plopped together.

But to each our own, and if OP likes it, that's great.

FWIW I have a Musicmaster II- tuned Duosonic that just sounds great.
But these days I find that I am preferring a flatter radius and bigger frets than the vintage neck comes with.

Good luck.

honeyiscool · Post by **honeyiscool** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:31 pm

stewart wrote:it'd be nice if this remains the status quo. they tend to sell for 1/3rd less than a mustang equivalent, yet crucially, they sound better.

They sound different but I'll fight anyone who says anything sounds better than Mustangs.

anhammon · Post by **anhammon** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:11 pm

MMPicker wrote: We each have our aesthetic sensibilities.
As for me, I think the white bodied ones start looking not so great as they age.
They started out with a white body, white pickup covers, and white slder switches, that were all the same or complementary hues, such that they looked good together as a unified whole. But over time, the body becomes yellow or creme color, the pickup covers become towards a snotty color while the sliders stay relatively white. At that point I find that, to me, they no longer look good together, more like three disparate, non-matching, non-complementary colors plopped together.

I agree. I love white against tortoiseshell -- but I don't like the way the pickup covers on Duo Sonics age (the pickup covers on my Musicmaster, in another thread, have stayed very white... earlier version?). I like a bit of creaminess in the finish, but when they get too yellow (from smoke, I guess) then it's not great.

On the other hand, the way the blue guitars age is very "aesthetically pleasing." I'm not fond of the new, bright Daphne Blue, but I love the blue-grey or green colours that come with time. And black covers and switches mean no disharmonies... I guess that's one reason the blue ones often go for so much more :)

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:32 pm

honeyiscool wrote:
stewart wrote:it'd be nice if this remains the status quo. they tend to sell for 1/3rd less than a mustang equivalent, yet crucially, they sound better.
They sound different but I'll fight anyone who says anything sounds better than Mustangs.

i've had both (and more than one), and the duo-sonic sounds better. maybe my duo-sonic is a particularly good one.

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:43 am

stewart wrote:
honeyiscool wrote:
stewart wrote:it'd be nice if this remains the status quo. they tend to sell for 1/3rd less than a mustang equivalent, yet crucially, they sound better.
They sound different but I'll fight anyone who says anything sounds better than Mustangs.
i've had both (and more than one), and the duo-sonic sounds better. maybe my duo-sonic is a particularly good one.

I'm assuming old ones, right stewart? And honey, you're referring to fender japan? I feel we may be comparing apples to oranges here.

kapepepper · Post by **kapepepper** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:01 am

I dont know where you are located but I think there are better deals for that kind of money

nice guitar nevertheless...

EDIT: Ok Canadian, then it is still a lot of money

anhammon · Post by **anhammon** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 3:12 pm

Yep, I decided to wait for one of those better deals! If anyone has a lead on a Duo Sonic II, 24" scale, any colour, all original, please let me know! In the meantime, there is, of course, eBay...

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:24 pm

singlepickup24 wrote:
stewart wrote:
honeyiscool wrote:They sound different but I'll fight anyone who says anything sounds better than Mustangs.
i've had both (and more than one), and the duo-sonic sounds better. maybe my duo-sonic is a particularly good one.
I'm assuming old ones, right stewart? And honey, you're referring to fender japan? I feel we may be comparing apples to oranges here.

i was talking about vintage ones.

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 1:57 am

stewart wrote:
singlepickup24 wrote:
stewart wrote: i've had both (and more than one), and the duo-sonic sounds better. maybe my duo-sonic is a particularly good one.
I'm assuming old ones, right stewart? And honey, you're referring to fender japan? I feel we may be comparing apples to oranges here.
i was talking about vintage ones.

Exactly. I don't think honey was talking vintage. Plus honey seems to prefer lace sensors to traditional single coils, so likely just a matter of taste.

Personally, I'll take a stock vintage duo.