Up for sale, a 1959 Fender Duo Sonic in 100% original, collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original "knucklebuster" hardshell case and bridge cover. The guitar has a smooth, lively natural acoustic tone, qualities which translate well via the original pair of black bobbin alnico magnet single coil pickups. These pickups are essentially wound identically to a '59 Strat pickup, with the only difference being the flat pole piece design. Both pickups have healthy output, with a bouncy, sparkling sound and chewy twang, delivering a smooth midrange character and focused bass register cut. Featherweight at just 5lbs 14oz, this Duo Sonic has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 11-49 roundwound strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
The maple neck has a very slender C-shaped profile carve at the nut, with quite a bit of additional heft and shoulder in the upper registers, measuring .750” deep at the 1st fret and .995” at the 12th. The thick slab Brazilian rosewood fretboard has clay dot inlay, a 7 1/4" radius, and original slender frets which have their full factory height and well-rounded crowns, with just a touch of wear on the crowns of frets 1-3. With a scale length of 22 1/2", this is a true short scale instrument, perfect for players with smaller hands or those looking to comfortably execute chord extensions that might otherwise be out of reach. The original nut measures 1 1/2" in width. On the headstock, the original single line Kluson Deluxe tuning machines are present, and the "Fender - Duo Sonic" waterslide decal is near-mint.
All of the electronics function as intended; the solder joints are untouched, and the original black bobbin pickups have their stock windings. The original CTS pots have visible date codes from the 45th week of '59. All of the original hardware is accounted for with bright chrome plating, including the knurled flat-top chrome knobs, bridge with threaded saddles, serialized neck plate, and even the original chrome-plated bridge cover. Plastics include the single-ply white pickguard and dark brown pickup covers.
The nitro lacquer Desert Sand finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, exhibiting light buckle worming on the upper bout on the back and a few small scattered nicks and finish scuffs on the body as a whole from very light, careful use. The gloss on the neck profile is extremely clean, with just a couple shallow scuffs on the bass-side of the carve behind the nut.
The original tan hardshell case with brown leather ends is included. The case retains all of its latches, including the central latch located beneath the molded handle (providing the "knucklebuster" nickname). The original chrome-plated "ashtray" bridge cover is also included.