It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:49 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Just acquired a vintage 1962 Duo Sonic
Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 11:25 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2012 10:58 am
Posts: 3
I recently traded my 1982 Gibson G3 bass (without original pickups) for a '62 Fender Duo Sonic. I had a few questions about the Duo Sonic. Seems to be all original, except for the tuners (Gotoh), and case. The Sunburst finish is pretty worn off the back of the guitar, and there are 6 holes on the back of the body where is appears an alternate bridge was attached at one point. There's a small piece of the pickguard missing (about 3/4" near the input jack), and one of the fret inlays is missing as well. Also the knobs are missing. My first question is what is the approximate value of the guitar? Should I try to acquire some vintage tuners and replace the current ones (probably about $120 on eBay). Can I just get some replacement knobs, or should I get vintage ones? Is this guitar expected to become highly collectable and rare in the future, should I hold onto it? It really plays amazingly well and it is such a cool guitar that I hate to get rid of it. Unfortunately though, I could really use the money. Thanks for your thoughts/comments!

Image
Image
Image
Image


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Just acquired a vintage 1962 Duo Sonic
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:29 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:06 pm
Posts: 12
I would get it fixed up, it's really cool a lot of petina. The first vintage fender I ever played looks a lot like it, there great playing guitars (Similar to the Fender Mustang which is my favorite). If your going to fix it up MAKE SURE you do it with vintage correct parts. I would estimate that in the current market fixed up, it would sell for around 1000. Without being fixed up with correct parts probably 500-800. What you have going for it is that its a 1962 a pre-cbs and its in that redish sunburst which is a little bit uncommon. The best place to get info on the guitar value wise and also refurbishing is at this forum website called offsetguitars.com They are an extremely knowledgeable group of people for these lesser famous fenders. I'd Post on there. Any more questions feel free to ask, best of luck an great trade.
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/index.php


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Just acquired a vintage 1962 Duo Sonic
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 12:31 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Codog wrote:
I would estimate that in the current market fixed up, it would sell for around 1000.


A bit of a stretch IMO.

The guitar's been irreversibly modified by someone installing a hardtail Stratocaster bridge at some point. To make it work, he also drilled holes all the way through the body to mount the string ferrules required with this alteration. The tuners are non-spec modern aftermarket replacements -- if you remove them with the intention of re-installing vintage-type Klusons you'll likely be left with visible holes to telegraph to anyone the sins that were once visited upon this instrument. The broken and missing parts aren't quite as problematic but locating vintage or even vintage-spec repros will be both difficult and expensive.

In it's present condition it's worth perhaps $600 to $750. If you "fix it up" it'll be worth $600 to $750. Any aspirations to the contrary are merely delusional.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Just acquired a vintage 1962 Duo Sonic
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:54 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2012 10:58 am
Posts: 3
Thanks for the replies. I'll definitely check out that site. So replacing the tuners with vintage ones wouldn't change the value of it really for now?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Just acquired a vintage 1962 Duo Sonic
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 8:25 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
The guitar's value as a vintage instrument has been irrevocably compromised and there is absolutely no profit to any restorative attempts. That said, the guitar still retains value for it's primary purpose. Thus, play it and enjoy it for what it is.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Just acquired a vintage 1962 Duo Sonic
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 8:52 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Jul 28, 2012 8:02 am
Posts: 5
I admit that I have virtually no knowledge of the vintage guitar market but I still feel I disagree with your posts Retroverbial.
Surely in this day and age where folks are willing to spend £800 on a MIM Strat that is made to look like it has a history then I am sure someone will pay more for an actual piece of Fender history.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Just acquired a vintage 1962 Duo Sonic
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:08 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
I'm not here to bust anybody balls but I've been at this for a long time.

Forty......five......years.

The OP solicited advice and I rendered it. He's free to ignore it and so are you. But I hate to see folks flushing money needlessly on a futile endeavor.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Just acquired a vintage 1962 Duo Sonic
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:46 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2012 10:58 am
Posts: 3
Thank you for the advice. I do appreciate it. So essentially, no restoration could be done to it to make it more valuable? Is the Duo Sonic a guitar that's expected to increase substantially in value? Just trying to get an idea of what it might be worth, if I held onto it for 10-15 years, because I could use the money now.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: