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Description

The Fender Duo Sonic II is a vibrant nod to the past with a modern twist, perfect for musicians seeking a unique voice in their guitar arsenal. Originally born in the 1950s, the Duo Sonic II has evolved while maintaining its charm, now equipped with features that cater to today's discerning player. It boasts a shorter 24" scale length, which makes it exceptionally playable, especially for those with a penchant for fast, nimble fretwork. Its solid body design is crafted to deliver crisp, articulate tones, ideal for multiple genres from indie rock to jazz.

Fender's Duo Sonic II is fitted with two single-coil pickups, offering a rich palette of sounds that can effortlessly switch from mellow and smooth to bright and cutting. The classic bridge and control layout provide intuitive handling, making this guitar a reliable companion on stage or in the studio. Its vintage styling is complemented by modern enhancements, ensuring it not only looks the part but performs it too.

Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, the Duo Sonic II's combination of legacy and innovation ensures it fits seamlessly into any collection.

Key Features:

  • Short 24" scale length for enhanced playability
  • Solid body construction for crisp tone
  • Dual single-coil pickups for versatile sound options
  • Classic bridge and control layout for intuitive use
  • Vintage styling with modern enhancements
GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

1965 Fender Duo Sonic II Blue / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1965 Fender Duo Sonic II Blue / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1965 Fender Duo Sonic II Blue / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Video thumbnail for 1965 Fender Guitar Duo-Sonic II Daphne Blue Original Bulwin Hard Shell Case 515-864-6136 by Lawman Guitars

1965 Fender Guitar Duo-Sonic II Daphne Blue Original Bulwin Hard Shell Case 515-864-6136

Lawman Guitars

Lawman Guitars

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 1965 Fender Duo Sonic II, Vibro Champ vintage guitar demo. Early CBS, Cool out of phase sounds! by Play and Trade Guitars

1965 Fender Duo Sonic II, Vibro Champ vintage guitar demo. Early CBS, Cool out of phase sounds!

Play and Trade Guitars

Play and Trade Guitars

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

Fender Duo Sonic II (1966) | Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments

Video thumbnail for 1965 Fender Duo Sonic II Off the bench demo PLAY AND TRADE GUITARS by Play and Trade Guitars

1965 Fender Duo Sonic II Off the bench demo PLAY AND TRADE GUITARS

Play and Trade Guitars

Play and Trade Guitars

Video thumbnail for I Brought A 1965 Fender Duo Sonic Back To Life! | How Good Is This Guitar For Beginners? by Dustin Koch

I Brought A 1965 Fender Duo Sonic Back To Life! | How Good Is This Guitar For Beginners?

Dustin Koch

Dustin Koch

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

  • The Duo-Sonic II is well-regarded for its short 24-inch scale, ideal for players with smaller hands or those preferring a compact instrument.

    Source
  • The Duo-Sonic II's bridge pickup is straight, unlike the tilted pickups on Mustangs, influencing tonal response and string alignment.

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  • The Duo-Sonic II originally featured a hardtail bridge with three saddles, differentiating it from the Mustang's 'Dynamic Vibrato' system.

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Value and pricing

  • The stripped or refinished models significantly drop in value, often bringing them under $1500, contrasting with original models that can approach $2400 but may sit unsold for long periods.

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  • The market value for refinished or modified models often ranges from $1,000 to $1,500, with original electronics being a key factor in valuation.

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User experience

  • Owners note that the original low-output pickups provide a signature "plinky/twinkly" sound that is rare and valued for its unique tone.

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  • Some owners prefer Duo-Sonics for their lighter weight compared to Mustangs, enhancing playability and comfort over long sessions.

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Comparisons

  • Compared to similar models like the Fender Jaguar, the Duo-Sonic II is seen as less desirable, impacting demand and resale value.

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  • Duo-Sonics have a simplified pickup switch system compared to the Mustang, which tends to have more complex switching systems akin to Jazzmasters and Jaguars.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Refretting costs can reach $500, a common need for mid-60s models due to wear, making them a less appealing investment for some buyers.

    Source
  • It's noted that neck swaps were common, often changing from the original 22.5" scale to the 24" scale for improved playability.

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Build quality

  • Owners mention that refinished Duo-Sonic IIs often reveal the original layer of paint underneath, indicating prior modifications.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

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See how Damon Albarn uses Fender Duo Sonic II

Damon Albarn

Singer, Guitarist

Gorillaz

...
Verified via Photo

Damon Albarn's main electric guitar, a 60's Olympic White Duo Sonic II. Bought sometime around 1997-1998, This guitar was used on the first three Gorillaz albums, Blur's Think Tank, Mali Music, Africa Express, The Good, The Bad, & The Queen, etc. He played this guitar for over 14 years until 2011, when he replaced it with Graham Coxon's signature Telecaster. The whereabouts of this guitar are unknown, but he still likely owns it and plays it.

See how Lee Ranaldo uses Fender Duo Sonic II

Lee Ranaldo

Singer, Guitarist

Sonic Youth

...
Verified via Photo

Lee Ranaldo is confirmed to have used a Fender Duo Sonic II during Sonic Youth's performance of "Mildred Pierce" in August 1990. For this performance, Lee borrowed the Duo Sonic II from the opening band, STP, as the song required standard tuning. This is supported by footage from the music video shoot, where he used this specific guitar on one of the two nights.

See how Jeff Wootton uses Fender Duo Sonic II

Jeff Wootton

Guitarist, Bassist

Gorillaz

...
Verified via YouTube

Jeff Wooton played Damon Albarn's Duo Sonic II during the Escape to Plastic Beach Tour, the guitar was mostly used as his backup to his Fender Jaguar. However, this was his main guitar very early in the tour. This guitar was later used in the tour by Simon Tong.

See how Liz Phair uses Fender Duo Sonic II

Liz Phair

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Per this photo courtesy of Getty Images: "Liz Phair Live at Aquafina On the Bricks at Centennial - Atlanta - August 8, 2003"

Also, per this article on Fender's own website:

https://www.fender.com/articles/gear/offset-originals-explore-the-musicmaster-and-the-duo-sonic

Liz Phair, who even featured her 1969 white Duo-Sonic on the cover of her self-titled 2003 album

I know some see the chrome scratch plate on the knobs and assume "Mustang", but this is a Duo Sonic II, as evidenced by hardtail bridge and per interviews like this one, straight from Liz Phair herself:

https://pitchfork.com/features/podcast/in-sight-out-liz-phair/

"The DuoSonic was the real guitar. The DuoSonic was the main one, and that’s somewhere in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame right now. I feel bad about that, but not too bad. It got played, it went underwater. It’s done some things"

See how Karl Hyde uses Fender Duo Sonic II

Karl Hyde

Singer, Guitarist

Freur

...
Verified via Photo

This image posted to Underworld's Instagram account shows Hyde's recently-acquired Duo Sonic II.

See how Chris Spencer uses Fender Duo Sonic II

Chris Spencer

Singer, Guitarist

Unsane

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video, Chris Spencer can be seen using a Fender Duo-Sonic II toward the end of a set at CBGB Record Canteen on February 9th, 1989. It can most clearly been seen starting at 34:35. https://youtu.be/489DBAzStlE?feature=shared&t=2075

See how Simon Tong uses Fender Duo Sonic II

Simon Tong

Guitarist

Gorillaz

...
Verified via Photo

Simon Tong frequently played Damon Albarn's 1960's Fender Duo Sonic II. He played this guitar throughout the entire The Good, The Bad & The Queen's first album, and was last seen with it playing with Gorillaz in 2010 as an additional guitarist. The way you can tell this is Damon's is because its age and wear pattern is identical, and also the placement of the decal.

Album Usage

The Fender Duo Sonic II has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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Community setups

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Gear Guides

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    nikfarr
    nikfarr

    Gear IQ 15323