FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

The second version of the Duo-Sonic (1959 - 64) had a rosewood fingerboard with a 1 1/2 inch nut width and a plastic pickguard. Beginning in 1961, the Duo-Sonic was available in a new color (sunburst) in addition to the old Desert Sand finish. By mid-year, Desert Sand was dropped and between that point and 1963 this model, along with the Musicmaster, was offered in sunburst only. In mid-1963, sunburst was dropped in favor of white which was the solo finish until mid-1964 when the student models were offered in patriotic red, white or blue. The finish on the guitar shown here is sometimes called “maroonburst” since it is an opaque sunburst finish with a yellow or peach center and maroonish edges.  It's very interesting to note that the sunburst on this guitar was painted over Desert Sand.  Fender was known to put a second finish on a guitar when in need of a particular color in a hurray.  Since this guitar was made at a time when Desert Sand was discontinued and "maroonburst" was first introduced, it's possible Fender simply re-sprayed some exisiting Desert Sand bodies with the new color rather than sell them as old stock.

 Body:  Solid, alder

 Finish:  Maroonburst, nitrocellulose lacquer

 Neck:  1-piece maple, bolt-on

 Fingerboard:  Brazilian rosewood; clay dot markers

 Number of Frets:  21

 Pickguard:  Single-ply white plastic

 Bridge:  Fender steel, chrome

 Nut:  Plastic

 Tuners:  Kluson Deluxe, enclosed, nickel

 Pickups:  Two, Fender single coil

 Controls:  Master tone, master volume, 3-way pickup selector

 Scale Length:  22 1/2 inches

 Neck Width at Nut:  1 1/2 inches

 Body Width at Lower Bout:  12 inches

 Body Depth:  1 1/2 inches

 Weight:  6.3 lb