1960 Fender Duo-Sonic Desert Sand

Offered for sale:

Vintage 1960 Fender Duo-Sonic in Desert Sand. The hand written neck date is 10-60.

The original serial number is unknown as the neck plate is non-original and dates to 1969. Back in the late ‘60s and ‘70s Strats, Teles, P-Basses etc, were increasing in price but not so with the student grade Fenders like Duo Sonics. So many dealers and collectors “harvested” the neck plates off the less expensive Fenders in case a much more valuable Fender came along with a non-original neck plate. Not the coolest thing to do but it made sense to many at the time and the practice was widespread.

This guitar is in good to very good condition, neck is straight, frets and in good condition and have height. Cosmetically there are nicks and marks about the body, finish checking and belt rash, the bridge cover is missing, patina abounding. Actually, looks better than many modern relics.

“The Duo-Sonic and its single-pickup counterpart, the Musicmaster, were released in 1956 as Fender's first student level guitars. These models featured a small body shape, shorter scale length, and a lower price-point than other guitars in the Fender catalog. In late 1959, the Duo-Sonic's pickguard was switched from aluminum to plastic along with the introduction of a Rosewood fingerboard. In 1964, the body style was switched to be more similar to the Mustang. This year also brought the Duo-Sonic II which featured a longer 24-inch scale length.”

The Duo-Sonic is a very important part of electric guitar history, Leo Fender created the first humbucking pickup using the two single coil pickups wired with reverse polarities. The pickup selector switch functions like that of the Telecaster except when the switch is in the center position (so that both pickups are on) the result was the first humbucking pickup effect. Gibson realized what Leo had done and followed up with their stunning PAF Hum Bucker in 1957. The Duo Sonic is quiet, with no 60-cycle hum yet chimey and full of overtones. These guitars are a very under rated piece of electric guitar history.

Hard-shell case included.

“We carefully inspect every instrument when we buy it and bring it up to our standards before we offer it for sale. We also do a full set up before we ship. If you decide to purchase this guitar, please let us know what gauge strings you prefer.”

GUITAR SPECS:

Year: 1960

Serial number: N/A, non-original neck plate

Body: Alder

Neck: Maple

Finish: Desert Sand

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Inlays: Clay dot

Scale Length: 22 ½”

Number of Frets: 21

Pickguard: White single-layer

Bridge: Fender hardtail tailpiece with 3 pair of steel saddles

Tuners: Kluson Deluxe

Pickups: 2 x Fender black-bottom single coils. Neck 5.47K ohm, Bridge 5.61K ohm

Controls: Volume, tone, 3-way pickup selector switch

Pot Codes: Volume & Tone 1376047

Width at Nut: 1 ½”

Radius: 7.25”

Weight: 6.2 lbs.

*Please note: we do our best giving descriptions of used pieces. We have found it impossible to describe every mark on an instrument or amp that is not in the "mint" category. Also, what's important to you may not be important to someone else. For example, you may say, "I don't care what it looks like as long as it plays or sounds well." Another person may say, "Body cosmetics are very important to me so tell me about every scratch, nick and blemish." So, please ask the questions that are most important to you. If you ask they will be answered. They are free and there's no limit. Additional photos can also be made available.

This is a specific item that is also being offered for sale in our brick & mortar location. It is possible that it has just been sold. Please ask if it is still available before purchasing.

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