1963 Duo-Sonic - bridge options - help needed

Discussion of vintage Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Bass VIs, Electric XIIs and any other offset-waist instruments.
Post Reply
User avatar
Teebz999
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 73
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2020 4:38 am

1963 Duo-Sonic - bridge options - help needed

Post by Teebz999 » Sun Sep 26, 2021 6:13 am

I've got a '63 Duo-Sonic neck (22.5") and body coming. Both highly modified so will make a great project guitar for my 8 year old who is picking up guitar.
It would appear to be the older style small rectangular bridge. I'm having trouble finding an original bridge for it at a reasonable cost.

Image

Although currently out of stock pretty much everywhere, is the Allparts a direct replacement to an original ? Says the string spacing is 2-1/8". Is that the string spacing on original Duo-Sonics ?

https://www.allparts.com/products/sb-58 ... -duo-sonic

Would a short tele bridge do the job ? I'm looking at this Wilkinson. Will the mounting holes line up ? Presumably will require a custom pickguard ?

https://www.solomusicgear.com/product/w ... le-bridge/

Image

User avatar
badform
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 310
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:45 pm
Location: B'more, B'more

Re: 1963 Duo-Sonic - bridge options - help needed

Post by badform » Mon Sep 27, 2021 9:52 am

On my Musicmaster, I'm using this bridge (that I put compensated saddles on):
https://www.allparts.com/products/sb-58 ... -duo-sonic.

My body has been modified with some janky routing, so originality wasn't so important, but it's as close as I could find visually to the original.

User avatar
Teebz999
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 73
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2020 4:38 am

Re: 1963 Duo-Sonic - bridge options - help needed

Post by Teebz999 » Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:57 pm

badform wrote:
Mon Sep 27, 2021 9:52 am
On my Musicmaster, I'm using this bridge (that I put compensated saddles on):
https://www.allparts.com/products/sb-58 ... -duo-sonic.

My body has been modified with some janky routing, so originality wasn't so important, but it's as close as I could find visually to the original.

Thanks. I was looking at that one too. Did you find a pick guard that fit well around that bridge ?

User avatar
badform
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 310
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:45 pm
Location: B'more, B'more

Re: 1963 Duo-Sonic - bridge options - help needed

Post by badform » Tue Sep 28, 2021 8:21 am

I have a repro, single ply white pickguard on that guitar, and I *think* that bridge fits without trimming.

I did have to trim the pickguard for a strat hardtail bridge that was on there previously.

Unfortunately I can't go take pics as the guitar is currently in the shop being rebuilt with an original (though beat) 1962 22.5" scale musicmaster neck.

User avatar
Johno
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 992
Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:34 am
Location: London UK

Re: 1963 Duo-Sonic - bridge options - help needed

Post by Johno » Wed Sep 29, 2021 9:40 am


User avatar
badform
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 310
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:45 pm
Location: B'more, B'more

Re: 1963 Duo-Sonic - bridge options - help needed

Post by badform » Wed Sep 29, 2021 11:14 am

That's the same one that I posted above.

IF he's going for a vintage correct look, this won't work. It doesn't have the tabs at the sides to hold the cover in place.
It is, however, the closest thing I could find that is currently produced.
Johno wrote:
Wed Sep 29, 2021 9:40 am
Found this on EBay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Duo-Sonic-br ... 635-2958-0

User avatar
Teebz999
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 73
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2020 4:38 am

Re: 1963 Duo-Sonic - bridge options - help needed

Post by Teebz999 » Wed Sep 29, 2021 4:36 pm

Johno wrote:
Wed Sep 29, 2021 9:40 am
Found this on EBay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Duo-Sonic-br ... 635-2958-0
Good find and good price. Thanks guys. Not too bothered with the missing tabs if it works.

Post Reply