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Post subject: How old is my new Duo Sonic?
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 5:20 pm
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Hello everyone, I just got this little duo sonic a few days ago and I was wondering if anyone can tell me anything for sure. A lot of parts are not original so I'm not sure what's original and what's not. Here's what I can think based upon limited research. It looks like a 50's style to me so either an actual 50's or some kind of reissue, I'm just not sure if this was ever reissued. The neck has a v profile very small frets. The body has been obviously refinished so I'm not sure if the body's original or what. Another credit to the thought that it's 50's is that the pickguard, although white it's metal. The back of it is gold.
I'm not sure if the pickups are original, the covers are definitely not, but the pickups are old, they look similar but have slightly different colored wires.

I've tried to get pics of all the things I just mentioned but it's late and I just have these cell phone pics because I'm too tired to get out the camera, I'll take better photos in a day or two.

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Looks like a different logo from 50's Duo Sonic's, so maybe it's not? Or maybe it got a new decal when the neck got stained? The possibilities seem endless...
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Clearly replacement tuners...
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It appears that the neck has been stained or something.
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A date? I won't hold my breath. Haha.
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On the back of the pickguard you can see it's gold. Also check out the pickups.
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Pickups have flat pole pieces.
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Different color wires, both have white wires in match.
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Case for good measure. Looks like the cases that came with 50's Duo Sonics...
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Post subject: Re: How old is my new Duo Sonic?
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 6:34 pm
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4-57 is the necks date, so April 1957! Some things as you suspected have been changed, tuners, pickups, and headstock decal. The guitar has been refinished but still a nice piece of Fender history.

Still a nice score.

T2

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Post subject: Re: How old is my new Duo Sonic?
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 7:18 pm
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Do you think the pickups could be original? I'll have to get better pics, but from what I can see they appear to be original with different covers. At least the pickups match the description of the pickups of the time.

I'm also willing to listen to any ideas someone may have on how to get the white paint off the pickguard. The pickguard appears to have been painted at the same time as the guitar and in the same way. Like it looks to be poly with a clear coat. It seams to me some kind of chemical would be best to paint strip it instead of sanding it.


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Post subject: Re: How old is my new Duo Sonic?
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 7:53 am
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Yeah, the pickups do look to be original or at least from that era although the covers are not as they shouldn't have any holes. Also after reexamining the photos, I don't think the neck was refined, just a new decal applied. If the body and pick guard were bad enough shape to be refinished then the neck is probably just faded that much from nearly 60 years of playing. Lacquer does tend to really darken over time, especially if it is exposed to smoky bars or a house with a heavy smoker.

As to the pick guard, that is a tuff one. Almost any chemical paint stripper is probably going to damage the anodized finish on the pick guard. Sanding will leave marks. You might try contacting Stewart MacDonald, they may know of a process... http://www.stewmac.com/?gclid=CKy4pZv-8 ... fgodyyUPmA

T2

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Post subject: Re: How old is my new Duo Sonic?
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:17 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
As to the pick guard, that is a tuff one. Almost any chemical paint stripper is probably going to damage the anodized finish on the pick guard.


Mineral spirits or mild lacquer reducer may be safely used. However, there's no guarantee that the original gold anodized finish lies beneath the paint -- it may have been deliberately removed or eroded away with use. It might be prudent to pick up a repro pickguard just in case......

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: How old is my new Duo Sonic?
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 2:44 pm
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Cool photo's shred_bringer, thanks for posting.

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Post subject: Re: How old is my new Duo Sonic?
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 11:18 am
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Solid Body Love Songs wrote:
Cool photo's shred_bringer, thanks for posting.

+1
Lots of mojo in that nice axe.

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