This page about 1966 Fender Duo-Sonic II Electric Guitar is a stub. You can help improve it:

Pricing and availability

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The 1966 Fender Duo-Sonic II Electric Guitar offers a nostalgic journey back to the golden era of rock and roll, showcasing the craftsmanship and innovation that Fender was renowned for in the mid-60s. This solid body electric guitar was originally designed as a student model but quickly garnered a cult following among professional musicians for its unique sound and playability. The Duo-Sonic II distinguishes itself with its short 24" scale length, providing a comfortable playing experience that makes it an excellent choice for players with smaller hands or those who prefer a slinkier feel.

Featuring two single-coil pickups, the Duo-Sonic II delivers a bright and punchy tone that stands out in any mix. The guitar's simplicity in design, combined with its distinctive voice, makes it a versatile choice for genres ranging from surf rock to indie pop. The offset body shape not only offers visual appeal but also ensures balanced weight distribution, making it comfortable to play for extended periods.

Whether you're a collector seeking a piece of history or a player in search of unique tonal qualities, the Duo-Sonic II's vintage vibe and enduring sound make it a worthy addition to any guitarist’s collection.

Key Features:

  • Short 24" scale length
  • Two single-coil pickups for bright, punchy tones
  • Comfortable offset body shape
  • Originally designed as a student model
  • Revered for its versatility across multiple genres
eddievegas1

eddievegas1

1966 Fender Duo Sonic II @ eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Duo Sonic II @ eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas by eddievegas1

1966 Fender Duo Sonic II @ eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas

eddievegas1

eddievegas1

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender DOU SONIC II SRV Road Wear @ eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas by eddievegas1

1966 Fender DOU SONIC II SRV Road Wear @ eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas

eddievegas1

eddievegas1

Video thumbnail for Fender Duo Sonic II (1966) | Elderly Instruments by Elderly Instruments

Fender Duo Sonic II (1966) | Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about 1966 Fender Duo-Sonic II Electric Guitar.

Build quality

  • Owners describe the Duo-Sonic II's body as notably thin, affecting its feel and portability without compromising sturdiness.

    Source
  • Some owners appreciate the Duo-Sonic II's neck profile options, with the "A" profile noted for its thinness compared to other Fender necks.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The coil tap feature is highlighted as a valuable addition, enhancing tonal versatility.

    Source
  • A 22.5-inch scale length enables easier string bending with thin strings, offering a unique playability compared to the 24-inch scale version.

    Source

User experience

  • The short scale nature of the Duo-Sonic II is well-loved, adding to its unique playability and charm.

    Source
  • The guitar's oversized headstock is polarizing, with some initially disliking it but eventually appreciating its unique aesthetic.

    Source
  • Owners express that engaging both pickups delivers a lush sound, while using only the bridge pickup offers a bitey tone.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • One owner mentions using a red pickguard for aesthetic modifications, likening the look to a Kurt Cobain Mustang.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners highlight the guitar's ability to retain its historical character, noting that it's often passed down through generations without losing its appeal and playability.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners mention that the 3-saddle bridge can cause intonation issues, particularly on the low E, A, and G strings.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A user purchased a refinished 1966 Duo-Sonic II with all original parts for $1,000, highlighting it as a bargain in the vintage market.

    Source

Other

  • Rewiring and adding copper foil shielding are suggested to reduce hum, enhancing the classic Fender sound.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how John McLaughlin uses 1966 Fender Duo-Sonic II Electric Guitar

John McLaughlin

Guitarist

The Mahavishnu Orchestra

...
Verified

In a discussion on thegearpage.net, it is confirmed through images that guitarist John McLaughlin uses a 1966 Fender Duo-Sonic II Electric Guitar. The thread also highlights that the instrument played by McLaughlin is the shorter scale version.

See how Gotoh Masafumi uses 1966 Fender Duo-Sonic II Electric Guitar

Gotoh Masafumi

Singer, Guitarist

Asian Kung-Fu Generation

...
Verified via Photo

In the video for "Soranin" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Gotoh Masafumi can be seen using a 1960's Fender Duo Sonic in Daphne Blue w/ a Red Tortoise color pickguard.

The guitar can be clearly identified at 1:59 of the mentioned video.

See how Gemma Thompson uses 1966 Fender Duo-Sonic II Electric Guitar

Gemma Thompson

Guitarist

Savages

...
Verified via Photo

From The Line of Best Fit, 12 June 2012: "Well, I have a 1966 Fender Duo-Sonic in Daphne Blue. I was playing a show with John and Jehn in France, in their hometown. We had a few days before this show, and John took me to this guitar shop where he’d bought a lot of his instruments. He knew the guy, and he said he’d lend me this guitar for two days. He didn’t tell me how much it was. So I sat round the fireplace in France for two days before the show just playing this guitar, and I completely fell in love with it. I gave it back, and I came back to the UK. But I couldn’t stop thinking about this guitar.

By then he’d told me the price, and I just thought, no way. But I did everything I could in my power to get hold of this guitar, and I ended up picking it up from a French lorry driver on an industrial estate in east London. He held up all the traffic. I’m in the corner of this industrial park looking out for a specific French lorry, getting some weird looks. But eventually he came, stopped all the traffic coming off this A road, got out of his cab and gave me this guitar and off he went."

From Wikipedia entry for Fender Duo-Sonic: "Third version – Duo-Sonic II (1964–1968) In 1964 the Duo-Sonic was redesigned based on the Fender Mustang that had recently been added to the student model line but without the vibrato tail-piece. The student guitars now all featured larger and slightly offset bodies, necks with larger headstocks and rosewood fingerboards and plastic pickguards with the volume and tone controls mounted on a separate metal plate. Pickup selection was moved above the pickups on both the Duo-Sonic and the Mustang and utilized two 3-position on-off-on switches that allowed for in and out-of-phase sounds. The pickups were also reverse-wound/reverse-polarity, which made them into a functional humbucker when both pickups were used simultaneously. Also added in this redesign was the option of a 24 inch scale neck in addition to the 22.5 inch scale. This re-designed model was renamed Duo-Sonic II although decals with and without the II designation were used occasionally. In addition to white, Daphne Blue and Dakota Red colors added.

The Duo-Sonic lasted until 1969 when it was dropped most likely because the Mustang with its tremolo tail piece was far more popular.

The Duo-Sonic I and II are both considered rare and have displayed growing collector value. The Duo-Sonic II in particular is often seen as a desirable alternative to the more popular Mustang, since it lacks the difficult-to-maintain tremolo bridge."

More Fender Solid Body Electric Guitars

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides