Duo Sonic research

[neosadist]

All,

After doing some research, for my proposed "buy a duosonic and seymourize it" project, here are the results I'm coming up with on pickup combinations. Wanted everyone's opinion. Be warned, I love the Jazz/JB combination (just a little bright)

1) Twang Banger + Alnico II Pro Flat (5/4.5/7)
2) Quarter Pound Flat + Alnico II Pro Flat (5/4/6.5)
3) JB Jr. + Little '59 (5/5.5/6)

The way the EQ combinations look, TB+A2P will be more bright, and overall that combo seems best balanced. Versatile. The other two are for more heavy styles due to the bridge choices, in my opinion. The JB and '59 combo EQ looks very strange to me, almost like it's got way too much mids. I just can't remember how the duosonic my friend owned sounded (it was unmodified). It seemed very high output and singing, not muddy or harsh, but it's been a very long time. Anyways, what do you guys think? Ideas? Let me know!

Robert

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Duo Sonic research

I own a 90's MIM Duosonic 22 inch scale and there are considerable problems with the stock design. First and foremost is the bridge. The stock bridge is useless. The three saddle design doesn't intonate or adjust for height worth a damn. I replaced mine with a Fender Toranado bridge. The shape is exactly the same and it uses ferrules through the body. It has six saddles so you can adjust intonation and height. I replaced the stock stamped steel saddles with heavy cast saddles. I can say without a doubt if you use 11gauge or higher strings you can get perfect intonation even with its short scale. Sustain and tone are also improved.

The electronics are pretty simple and the MIM pickups aren't very good. No interesting 2/4 notch positions with the three way switch. I shielded the pickguard with alluminum and put 6 coats of shielding paint in the cavity to make it less noisy. I went with SSL-5's because they are powerfull clean and bright. You need brighter/tighter pickups because the short scale length can get a bit dark and muddy. You also need a good set of cast string trees to help the tunning.

After all of these mods my duosonic rules. Very good for primal/rhythmic/dissonant/alternative music. Also after replacing the bridge its one of the best sounding clean guitars I have. Very good for clean chord centric songs where you don't want much sustain.

Snowdog

 

[neosadist]

Re: Duo Sonic research

Hmm, maybe his wasn't vintage. Didn't look that way now that I think of it. Had individual saddles and the paint job looked modern / recent. Do they still make DuoSonics? I think someone once told me they do, just export to other (asian) countries. Oh well.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Duo Sonic research

I have a 65 24" scale Duo.

I recommend you go with some sort of rail pickup as the string spacing is not exactly like a strat's.

I went with a CR/HR combo that works well for OD in the small alder body.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Duo Sonic research

I've wanted a Duo Sonic with Hot Rails / Cool Rails ever since I first got into guitars and the possibility of changing pickups. Someday

-X

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Duo Sonic research

This is the best website I have seen for the Duo-Sonic and its brethren.
http://marcel.f2hosting.com/mmds/

Snowdog