Duff Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 I recently purchased a 1993 Fender Duo Sonic Re-issue 3/4 scale guitar. I have not received the guitar yet, so I am not able to get the exact neck scale, but I believe it is 22". My intent is to have a nice project guitar and convert it into a full scale 25.5" neck. However, the more and more I research, it appears this might not be as easy as just slapping on any old Fender neck. Does anyone have any tips, or starting ideas, or any general consensus on how I should start and/or go about trying to do this. From what I've gained so far, it may appear that I will have to move the bridge back, and being that it's a bridge that only sits in by 5 screws directly into the body, it might not be THAT hard of a task. Lend me some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 I think the duo sonic was 24" scale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpm99 Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 You're both right, but the one he's talking about is 22.7". Duff, you have the right idea of how to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 fender had a great idea on the duo-sonics. essentially they came in 22.5 and 24" scale lengths and the necks were interchangeable at least up till about the 70's. it meant the bodied could be identically machined so was probably done to save costs sadly the reissues don't use either of these scale lengths so it will involve moving the bridge. iirc the bridge needs to be about 3/8" further back for a 24" scale, obviously measure to confirm exact dimensions just about to spray a duo-sonic style build myself essentially its DS2 body shape with DS1 styling... and a 24" neck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Seems like a good reason to build a neck from scratch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 (edited) @WezV Hey also just curious. I know the contours and routes are different, but do the duo sonic and mustang share the same body as far as dimensions? The reason I ask is because I would like to take off the duo sonic pick guard and replace it with a mustang style "arched" style with a metal plate for the control knobs and jack. Edited October 15, 2011 by Duff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 it wont work - i had to make a plate from scratch original DS1 and a DS2 (essentially a mustang without trem) notice the waist is offset on the second version Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff Posted October 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2011 Got the guitar in the mail today. Played it for about 3 minutes and immediately started stripping it down. I really don't think the neck will be too big of an issue, even without moving the bridge...On the Duo Sonic, the saddles are VERY long, over an inch, which allows for lots of wiggle room when you move them back all the way. I put on the 25.5 scale neck, which fit perfectly in the pocket and did some measurements. I'm able to get 12.75 inches from nut to 12, and from 12 to bridge without an hassle. Thanks for the initial help guys. I plan to post pictures when I'm done, whenever I finish. If I run into any big time problems, I'll maybe start a new thread! Duff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Got the guitar in the mail today. Played it for about 3 minutes and immediately started stripping it down. I really don't think the neck will be too big of an issue, even without moving the bridge...On the Duo Sonic, the saddles are VERY long, over an inch, which allows for lots of wiggle room when you move them back all the way. I put on the 25.5 scale neck, which fit perfectly in the pocket and did some measurements. I'm able to get 12.75 inches from nut to 12, and from 12 to bridge without an hassle. Thanks for the initial help guys. I plan to post pictures when I'm done, whenever I finish. If I run into any big time problems, I'll maybe start a new thread! Duff dont forget you need a little extra distance for intonation, can you get any more than 12.75" on the 12th fret to saddle measurement? you will need at least 1/8" extra. its not ideal having the saddles all the way back, but if you are happy with that (and can get the guitar strung up like that) then it does save more work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 IT CAN BE DONE!!!!! So after sanding off the paint completely, I put the guitar back together with the new 25.5 scale neck. The sanding took me about 4 days, sanding in 3-4 hour increments with 80 Grit sandpaper and a sanding block. Then some quick fine sanding, and attached the pickguard, bridge, neck, electronics, and new strings to test out everything. INTONATION RIGHT ON THE MONEY FIRST TUNING!!! Not to mention the guitar plays about 100x better than the 3/4 scale neck... I will hopefully post pictures of my progress from start to finish as I have been taking photos... Now on to the truly hard part, sealing, sanding, priming, painting, and clear coating...I plan on using just rattle cans and lots and lots of clear coat.... Thanks again guys... Wish me luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff Posted October 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 Here's where I'm at so far. Opposite from a previous post I'm going for a DS2 look, with a DS1 body. As you can notice, the factory mustang pickguard is slightly oversized and hangs off the bottom. However, I can sand that right down and it should look okay... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 i did warn you i dont think it will look OK cut to fit - all fenders of this style have the pickguard/control plate following the bottom edge of the body, i think it will look weird if it doesnt do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff Posted October 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 Sanded it down. Doesn't look horrible... But as my grandma would always say "you cant see that from an airplane"... i can live with the flaw, as long as the guitar sounds and plays great...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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