Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
- realm seeker
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Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
Hey Everyone,
This is my first post here and I'm hoping I can gain some insight on how to modify my late 50's Duo Sonic.
I wanted to know if it's possible to swap the 22.5" scale neck with a mid 60's Duo-Sonic II 24" scale without moving the bridge. I've heard that swapping for the longer 25.5" scale strat neck would require a bridge move but have read nothing about the 24".
Thanks!
This is my first post here and I'm hoping I can gain some insight on how to modify my late 50's Duo Sonic.
I wanted to know if it's possible to swap the 22.5" scale neck with a mid 60's Duo-Sonic II 24" scale without moving the bridge. I've heard that swapping for the longer 25.5" scale strat neck would require a bridge move but have read nothing about the 24".
Thanks!
- cooterfinger
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Re: Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
From everything I've read this is possibly. I've got two 22.5" scale duo projects going at the moment. I'll measure against my 24" musicmaster to make sure.
Edit: I just checked and that's a yes.
Edit: I just checked and that's a yes.
"Smells like Rock N' Roll"
- realm seeker
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Re: Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
Is that a "yes" on not having to move the bridge or yes on having to move it?cooterfinger wrote:From everything I've read this is possibly. I've got two 22.5" scale duo projects going at the moment. I'll measure against my 24" musicmaster to make sure.
Edit: I just checked and that's a yes.
- cooterfinger
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Re: Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
realm seeker wrote:Is that a "yes" on not having to move the bridge or yes on having to move it?cooterfinger wrote:From everything I've read this is possibly. I've got two 22.5" scale duo projects going at the moment. I'll measure against my 24" musicmaster to make sure.
Edit: I just checked and that's a yes.
You do not have to move the bridge to switch from a vintage 22.5" to a vintage 24" scale neck.
"Smells like Rock N' Roll"
- realm seeker
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Re: Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
That's great, thanks for your help!cooterfinger wrote:realm seeker wrote:Is that a "yes" on not having to move the bridge or yes on having to move it?cooterfinger wrote:From everything I've read this is possibly. I've got two 22.5" scale duo projects going at the moment. I'll measure against my 24" musicmaster to make sure.
Edit: I just checked and that's a yes.
You do not have to move the bridge to switch from a vintage 22.5" to a vintage 24" scale neck.
- knuckle_head
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Re: Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
If any of the 22.5" necks in question are worth owning I wouldn't mind knowing about that . . . . it's my preferred scale length.
I make Circle K strings and Knuckle guitars
- realm seeker
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Re: Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
Definitely worth owning if that's your preffered scale length. The 22.5" I have is a late 50's soft V profile, flamed one piece maple with a walnut skunk stripe on the back. Basically a baby Strat neck in some ways.knuckle_head wrote:If any of the 22.5" necks in question are worth owning I wouldn't mind knowing about that . . . . it's my preferred scale length.
- FlatRacer
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Re: Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
The late '60s Duo Sonics (officially known by the name "Duo Sonic II"), as well as the Musicmasters were offered with both medium scale (24") and short scale (22.5") necks. There is no difference in the bodies, only the necks. The medium scale neck has 22 frets, whereas the short scale neck has 21 frets. This is to accomodate both scales on the same body without the need to move the bridge.
One could suppose the idea was to offer a student guitar with a short scale neck to fit a child's small hands that could be replaced later on with a medium scale neck as the player's hands grew. Musicmasters and Duo Sonics were always pictured in the hands of young kids in the sales literature and advertisements.
Because of this accomodation within the Duo Sonic/Musicmaster line, it stands to reason the the two neck scales can be used interchangably on any of the Fender Short scale family of models including the Bronco, Musicmaster, Duo Sonic, Mustang, and Jaguar.
Eric
One could suppose the idea was to offer a student guitar with a short scale neck to fit a child's small hands that could be replaced later on with a medium scale neck as the player's hands grew. Musicmasters and Duo Sonics were always pictured in the hands of young kids in the sales literature and advertisements.
Because of this accomodation within the Duo Sonic/Musicmaster line, it stands to reason the the two neck scales can be used interchangably on any of the Fender Short scale family of models including the Bronco, Musicmaster, Duo Sonic, Mustang, and Jaguar.
Eric
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Re: Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
Thanks for the info Eric! It definitely makes sense from a marketing stand point. I have had some great pointers in the past week from another member who has what seems to be a wealth of knowledge about these guitars. From what I've learned, the swap should work for my late 50's duo body and duo II 24" neck. If you're interested in learning more about the exact measurements of these guitars, check out this thread and pdf over at:FlatRacer wrote:The late '60s Duo Sonics (officially known by the name "Duo Sonic II"), as well as the Musicmasters were offered with both medium scale (24") and short scale (22.5") necks. There is no difference in the bodies, only the necks. The medium scale neck has 22 frets, whereas the short scale neck has 21 frets. This is to accomodate both scales on the same body without the need to move the bridge.
http://shortscale.org/forum/viewtopic.p ... 23f2869dfe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- stafflod
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Re: Late 50's Duo-Sonic Neck Swap
This was good news, I'm building a Strato-Sonic-Stang-thing for my daughter. Just bought a 22.5 1960 neck off eBay. I will do a Strat PG/body modified for a shortscale with a Mustang vibrato.