Goodbye: Squier Duo-Sonic

Bid farewell to my Squier Duo-Sonic (Class Vibe) earlier today. It wasn't offered in the open market since I had someone who is genuinely interested in collecting offset models across brands. The instrument was in very good condition save for that anodized pick guard that refused to be revitalized after repeated polishing. It's very much like nickel pickup covers that immortalized stains regardless of how many times you polish them. On that note, I have two other guitars to say goodbye to. 

Unworthy?

Sharing with you how a Mexican Fender looks like under the hood (the pick guard more like it). As indicated above, the surfaces were not levelled/filed down to a smooth finish. They didn't give a hoot about it & went ahead with the shielding paint. Mind you, this product has a 'Fender' slapped onto the headstock, it should carry some fundamental pride in terms of goodwill but that's how it is if things aren't 'American'. Surprisingly, the instrument displays good QC in all other areas so they skimp at places where you can't see. Tsk, tsk...

Sonic assault

I'm very determined to not make an Ibanez be the first purchase of 2017 & so this happened. The 'new' Fender offset models were introduced in the final quarter of 2016 which didn't make it here till now. I had bad episodes with the Mexican models; bad nut slots, warped necks, dysfunctional truss rods... the list goes on. These days, the Mexican models had been souped up to fill in price voids (more than anything else) so they need to keep up in terms of QC. I managed to play an impressive Mexican model (thanks to the good people @ Swee Lee Katong 👍) last June but held back as more of the good stuff were streaming in. 

So I guess the wait paid off. No complaints with the QC here as the Duo-Sonic was played right out of the box. My only gripe was the very low action it came with, everything else was splendid. Playing through a Marshall amp at the store, these default single coils were adept at both clean & driven settings with no clarity compromise but the twang factor could have been better. I will continue to check the newer generation of Mexican models out. They are now worthy considerations (in my books), more so when the American models are climbing up the price points.

PS: Thanks to Mr. Faizal & company @ Swee Lee I12 for their awesome service as usual.

Sonic return

Here it is, the Fender Duo-Sonic (Mex) in its full glory, after being revealed in Summer NAMM 2016, without proper closure.

The HS version for those of us who would be rocking this guitar seriously. I'm definitely interested because of the the instrument's 24" scale length more than anything else. It'd be as feasible as the similarly scaled Jaguar, without the pickups switching hassle.

Musduo

Awaiting further details on the re-introduction of the Mustang & Duo Sonic Fenders (Mexican). These were announced last Summer Namm 2016 but not featured on the manufacturer's website (yet).

Sonic retainer

My first tinkering for 2011..

...is the swapping of my (Squier) Duo-Sonic string retainer. I have the rounded version in place of the former, 'vintage' version. The rounder version is more responsive to tuning, it is also devoid of sharp edges so it reduces the chances of string snapping at this part of the headstock.

Longest & shortest

I had these two guitars out today: Ibanez RGD320 & Squier Duo-Sonic, the former sporting the longest scale length in my line-up (26.5") & the latter, the shortest (24").

I started with the RGD as the longer scale length helped me warm up; some slow, doom-type riffing then moving on to licks & finally all out acceleration.

Switching to the Duo-Sonic put me in 'rest' mode despite still playing on. I did not feel the strain of having to stretch-fret my notes & this helped me play faster of sorts. Psychological really; it's the human mind interpreting 'lesser strain' as 'going faster'.

No tune-o...

It's been tough for me for the last few days or so (not guitar related), maybe it's psychological but I can't seem to play any guitars with tune-o-matic bridges, well. The above are guitars played for the last 5 days or so (Smash S2 & Squier's Duo Sonic), as you can see, no tune-o-matic assembly here...

Sonic Rails

This is my latest commitment; the DUNCANization of my Squier Duo-Sonic.

I'm growing fond of the Duo-Sonic's 24" scale length which matches very well with the .0095 (D'Addario) set of strings. I've also been using it for some intense drive-type music hence the consideration of having a pair of humbuckers in there:

• Neck: Seymour Duncan Cool Rails
• Bridge: Seymour Duncan Hot Rails
  

The Duo-Sonic comes with a ready, full-size humbucker routing should you wish to have some of your favourite pickups in there.

Of course, not forgetting the master who is responsible for this make-over: BEEZ the magnificent. Thank you, sir!!

Duo Smash Sonic

These are my 2 most played guitar for the last week or so:

• Squier Duo-Sonic: I still can't get over the very alluring scale length of this guitar & the lightness of the instrument in whole, contributes to much clarity.
• Smash S2: It's a contrasting player to its Squier counterpart, namely attributable to its heaviness & scale length (25.5") . The default pickups are also very pleasurable to the ears, quite a surprise in this price bracket.
  

The Duo-sonic has landed...

My Squier Duo-Sonic arrived yesterday; was too involved with the instrument to update anything here. The Duo-Sonic isn't a new product, it's an instrument in the Fender range made in 1956 as a student alternative; a reference to a more affordable model by the manufacturer compared to the primary sellers at that point in history- the Strat & Tele. The Duo-Sonic saw its demise in 1969 but resurrected in 1994 for a 3-year production period.

The pickguard is indeed a gold-tinged aluminium, doubt if it's anodized. The only inaccuracy here is the Squier's 12 screw attachment, the original Duo-Sonic had only 8.

The subtle maple flame seen at the headstock is indeed eye candy. As evident here, the good Chinese production hands included the instrument's job card, documenting the guitar's necessary measurements for refderence should the owner need to differ.

The Duo-Sonic sports the current Jaguar scale-length: 24". This is another inaccuracy as the original Duo-Sonic had a 22.5" scale length by default. The guitar plays nicely, it might be just me but I thought I play faster on this one... either this or it's the Red Bull at work.

BGW Guitars- this was where I got this instrument from. If you are interested, please visit this link: http://www.bgwguitars.com/

Founder, Mr. Brendon Leung, provided an impeccable customer service which included shipping updates & price negotiations- kudos!

Duo-sonic, this way comes... (Part 2)

Duo-sonic will be in my residence this weekend... certainly a good start to the month.

Duo-sonic, this way comes...

See this guitar? I'm counting the days till it gets here... watch this space.