1961 Fender Duo Sonic Vintage Electric Guitar w/ Factory 24" Scale Neck

Up for sale, a 1961 Fender Duo Sonic in perfect working order, fitted from the factory with a 24" scale neck. This Pre-CBS Fender model is utterly unique, having gone back to the Fender factory in 1966 for a new neck. This neck has the full 24" scale of the Duo Sonic II, along with pearloid position markers and a veneer rosewood fretboard consistent with the second generation of the Duo Sonic platform, yet the neck has the distinctive smaller headstock shape only seen on Pre-CBS examples.This Duo Sonic features the original distinctive three-tone Sunburst finish on the poplar body, and the instrument has plenty of sparkle and twang on tap via the pair of original black bobbin single coil pickups. These pickups are essentially wound identical to a '61 Strat pickup, with the only difference being a flat pole piece design and smooth brown covers. Both pickups have strong output and exceptional tone, with the bouncy, sparkling sound that's sweet and lively, offering a smooth midrange character and focused bass register clarity. Featherweight at 5lbs 13oz, this guitar is very easy on the back, offering a clear, chiming acoustic tone that's surprisingly resonant and authoritative. We've had this Duo Sonic professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with fresh 11-49 roundwound strings and slinky action.The maple neck has a slender C-shaped profile carve at the nut, with notably round shoulders in every register and rolled fretboard edges, measuring .810" deep at the 1st fret and .920" at the 12th. The rosewood fretboard retains its original 7 1/4" radius, refretted with flawless vintage-spec slender fretwire. The guitar plays cleanly up the 24" scale, and the neck is straight with a responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. And just as importantly, the guitar intonates properly with its later, longer neck. An upgraded hand-carved bone nut measures 1 9/16" in width. The headstock is fitted with a modern aged set of Kluson Deluxe single line tuning machines, and the headstock decal is also a replacement. The neck heel has a bold 1966 date stamp along with the "16" model stamp denoting a neck made for a Duo Sonic.All of the electronics function as intended, with untouched solder joints and original black bobbin pickups which retain their original windings. The wiring harness features original Stackpole pots that date to the 43rd week of '61, along with the original ceramic disc tone cap. Original hardware includes the bridge with threaded saddles, serialized four-bolt neck plate (dating to '61), and pair of flat-topped knurled knobs. All original plastics are also accounted for including the single-ply white pickguard and brown pickup covers.The nitro lacquer Sunburst finish is 100% original with no touchup or overspray, and the guitar exhibits some finish loss on the body perimeter, particularly on the treble-side lower bout and back of the bass-side body horn. There is buckle rash across the back, and various additional marks from honest use. The neck profile also retains its nitro gloss finish, worn to the smooth, bare maple behind frets 1-5, with some shallow marks central to the carve further up the fretboard that do not distract the palm while fretting.