Fender Player Duo-Sonic: Worth its weight in Gold?

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Want that Beavermind t-shirt? Here: bit.ly/lrgdstore

[@TomoFujitaMusic]

Thanks for sharing! I love Duo Sonic!

[@jacopobani565]

Desert Sand + Gold pickguard + Maple fretboard is the sexiest combo

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

True words

[@clintwilson6380]

So delicious.

[@HoodedChief]

Also Ice blue metallic with tortoiseshell guard and rosewood fretboard block inlays white binding

[@maykolllopez1585]

I beat up my orange duo Sonic than lit the neck on fire for some "roasted maple"

[@Mandobird1]

@@LivingroomGearDemos There is a 2008 Classic Vibe Duo-Sonic reissue with the same configuration. Still my favourite axe.

[@joebowles06]

One thing he didn't mention but is what I think is the best part about this guitar is how it feels. The smaller body makes it super light weight and comfortable to play. The neck shape is great. The short scale makes the strings feel a lot looser, but I honestly don't notice too much of a difference in playability moving from this to a full scale length guitar until I get to about the 15th fret. From there on up, it's definitely much tighter.

[@cameronhiggins5622]

Aesthetics and production value of this channel are off the charts! Amazing video and guitar

[@jburdsinfuse]

I love the dirty sounds from this guitar. With fuzz, octave pedals, loads of effects...so good. Cleans are a little bright, but that’s easily EQ’d. I’m getting one...just clicked buy on Reverb. Great demo!!!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

haha, nice! Thanks for checking out Jared!

[@0987__]

I have the orange one, bought it when these first came out. Have not regretted it. Still the most beautiful guitar I’ve ever seen. Sounds like a dream. Worth every penny.

[@karlwalter666]

Man that intro track blew me away. Such an interesting guitar and a very nice review!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks Karl!

[@Skiptracer1981]

Duo-Sonic version 1 from 1956 was not offset. The first offset was the Jazzmaster in 1958. These reissues are of the Duo-Sonic I bodystyle, which has a symmetrical waist, like a strat or tele. Only the Duo-Sonic II was offset, which still exists, in the form of the Hardtail Mustang model. I don't know why they didn't put Duo-Sonic II decals on the hardtail Mustangs.

[@bryseboynton9512]

I have a 2017 duo sonic HS that i put a bigsby b5 on and that just opens up a whole new realm for these things. love em!

[@a_green_cat]

I bought this guitar in ss a couple months back upgrading from my sq affinity strat and I absolutely love it. Does everything i wanted it to and is much more comfortable for me as I am a rather small and skinny haha

[@lorenzo6mm]

Jimi Hendrix owned an played a very similar Fender Mustang, Jazz Master guitar

[@young_of_the_mill9560]

I put a 1956 22.5 neck on mine

[@ibberman]

@@young_of_the_mill9560 22.5 on a 24", how did that work out, or did you make other changes?

[@bigpapachance]

These pickups sound extremely articulate even through my phone speaker. Each note comes through crystal clear

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Indeed!

[@StankoAx]

There is one thing I haven't seen people talk about 24" a lot. It's bending. If you like bending, 24" is different. How? Well, we all know that a short scale means less tension on the string, and therefore it is easier to bend. However, it is also easy to bend the string out of tune by a mistake. If the movement of your hand when grabbing a chord has slightly more power, you will hear the "out of tune" sound. This will force you to be more precise when playing. I personally have 24", 24,75" and 25.5" scale guitars and this is something I noticed happens A LOT more on my 24". I have a Squier version Desert Sand Duo-Sonic, it's an amazing instrument, anyone who touched it could not believe how well it plays. But it would not be my take if you are looking for something lead guitar-oriented. Frets get very congested after 12th fret and even tho I have relatively small hands, it's crowded up there. As I said, it's very easy to sound "out of tune" by putting slight amounts of force more or less in the bend. With enough practice, you can overcome this. On the other hand, you can easily do bends that are 4-5-6 semitones up. But again, it's a double-edged sword. Still, this is my main guitar, I play it every single day. This is just something to consider if you are looking for a shorty. There is a reason why 24.75 and + scale lengths are more common.

[@joebowles06]

I have the squier version also and I really love it. For me, I don't feel like my chords get too out of tune, and if they do, I sort of welcome it. The loose feeling of the strings is to me what makes that guitar great. Do you have the stock pickups on it? I still have them on mine, and while I don't think they sound bad, I do wish they had a big more output. I'm looking at throwing a duncan quarter pound in the bridge for some serious bite. I'll probably leave the neck because I love the tone from that and I think it would be a good contrast from the quarter pound.

[@SeemsLikeSomething]

joebowles06 Quarter pound is a good selection. Let us know how it sounds 👍

[@StankoAx]

@@joebowles06 I have the stock pups too, they are great. They just need a tiny bit more of output power, I agree. Try adjusting the height, it should give you the bite.

[@emptypromises2962]

Stanko Aksentijević Yeah, but that`s what heavier strings are for. I play `11 gauge.

[@Mega_trav]

I have the HS version from a couple years ago. It’s my main guitar. I love the short scale.

[@Logan-rb6tl]

Travis Schneider how to the coil split tones compare to the single coil?

[@eagleclaw2525]

I just dusted off my beat-up 1966 Fender Duo Sonic. It sounds amazing...and it's now worth $1500.00 (woah) Thanks for reminding me what a jewel I possessed!

[@hugotyson308]

"I love Gold"! Go for it Goldmember! I just bought of of these guitars, really nice, be great for my son or daughter to learn on.

[@RiggsTaylor]

Great intro track man! Excellent demo and tones. I've never wanted a duo-sonic until now!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks, sir!

[@petergoddard1960]

Great review. The Player Mustang has the same bridge so I’d expect tuning stability to be good on both. Of course the Vintera is more ‘authentic’ but gas that floating bridge to ensure tuning issues. There’s not a lot between the two Player models, other than the 70’s headstock and offset body on the Mustang. I doubt the pickups are that different although I haven’t been able to A/B them yet. It’s the clean tones I’m after. More Strat like than a Tele. They’re such great value too!

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

I bought one but I hated the PU's. I had a Duncan Custom Shop 55 Tele put at the bridge. I also had a Rickenbacker put at the neck. The guitar plays great and looks great. Now it sounds great. I get both of Townsends early Who sounds from one guitar.

[@sheercerebralpower]

Ordered mine......coming soon....totally stoked.....

[@markstephen7397]

So beautiful! Great demo by the way!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks!!

[@ivvatchvideos]

Love how small it is, beautiful color!

[@brandonmason388]

The pickups have a really interesting voice. They reeeeally cut through a mix. Like they sit on top. Very brash with a midrange bark. I probably wouldn’t want it as my only guitar. I got mine as a gift and I love having it as the perfect guitar for some things: RIPPING leads that will wake you up!

[@riffswamp]

I have been thinking about this guitar for a while now but have not heard a lot of sound demos, so thank you for making and sharing this vid!!! \m/\m/

[@daansneppe9699]

Thumbs up for the introtrack!!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks Daan!

[@harritaylor9868]

That pickup selector switch looks CHONKY

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

it's not thaaaat bad is it?

[@harritaylor9868]

Living Room Gear Demos I love it! It looks like it feels solid! Reminds me of the Troy van leeuwen JM from a few years ago

[@miguelangelvacaheredia8230]

GREAT VIDEO, i got a duo sonic HS 2022, the humbucker is amazing, this is a very articulated guitar, if you are very accurate in your playing this guitar sounds glorius!.... I really love mine...its so confortable that its feels like i have played this guitar all my life...

[@ZionForman]

have this exact guitar, love it

[@NateTheMeh]

I have a shell pink mustang from this series, these guitars are SO FUNNNNNN

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Shell Pink is the best color! 💪🏻

[@DestroyingAmpsGearDemos]

The original Duo-Sonics didn't have the switches you mention. They looked just like the reissue. It was after the Mustang was released the duo-sonic and musicmaster took on the Mustang look. Great sounding guitar!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Oh really!? Didn’t know that.

[@DestroyingAmpsGearDemos]

@@LivingroomGearDemos origin design from 1956-1959 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Duo-Sonic.

[@Skiptracer1981]

Correct, and the original Duo-Sonic body, which these reissued models are, is not offset. They have a straight waist.

[@hansmusicofficial]

Great guitar. Have used it on a few recordings I have on my channel.

[@CGCEifel]

I've got short fingers and tortured myself with the regular Fender scale, flat fretboards and wide nut instruments for decades. Should have bought one long ago, it's fantastic. For 3 Years now.

[@painkilla1972]

I have a Squier Duo-Sonic that was released a few years ago with the same specs more or less (color, pickguard, etc...). I got it because Warren Ellis played one in concerts. I wonder how the Fender one would compare to it.... Cheers.

[@BertMan256]

Just purchased this from Guitar Center after a few reviews. Such a beautiful color combo. Used in excellent condition for $450!

[@JamieToddBand]

I just bought one last week used from GC, but $599! The same as new from 2 years ago. Already played a fun gig with it.

[@BertMan256]

@@JamieToddBand Man, they sold it out from under me!!! I got an email that my order had been canceled. After calling customer service, they told me the store canceled it on their end. When I called the store, they told me that they did not pull it in time and sold it before my order had processed. Let’s just say I was BEYOND pissed.

[@blauwalaudio9809]

i really really dig your riffs and songwriting!!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

thanks!

[@blauwalaudio9809]

still do!! love the riff a lot

[@fernandocastro6279]

Great demo. The intro sound amazing!! Is there a real bass or is it a plugin? A video about your record process would be great. Nice guitar too

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

It’s a plugin. Yeah video coming up!

[@fernandocastro6279]

Living Room Gear Demos But that plugin sounds really good

[@Seventeen_Seconds]

I had a 2017 surf green fender duo sonic and it's the best guitar I've ever had, everything was perfect for me and the neck was incredible. I had to sell it a year ago as I needed the money. Just bought a player mustang in sonic blue and it's a great guitar but the neck is absolutely dreadful :( I guess what suits one player doesn't suit another.

[@jesusgorbatcho4049]

Intro's riff has a PUP vibe

[@sheercerebralpower]

Can’t praise this guitar enough....

[@sheercerebralpower]

It is...I got mine last week.....amazing axe.....

[@sloppy_hand]

make a video for the intro track and I promise I'll watch it hundreds of times! awesome!!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

How I play it or how I recorded it?

[@sloppy_hand]

@@LivingroomGearDemos both! the arrangement sounds incredible! seeing how it's played is cool too! I just wish I could hear it for a little longer

[@Rohdy1sland]

Amazing... Thanks man. Currently iam not sure if I buy a mustang or a duo sonic... This video off course brings me in the direction of the sonic hahaha

[@miguelangelvacaheredia8230]

get a Duo sonic HS (I got one), the humbucker is AMAZING...overall tones are great....you will fall in love deeply with this guitar...

[@sivaones]

Probably ordering this today. Thanks!

[@lorenzo6mm]

Best $ 500 dollars I ever spent.

[@IvorThomas]

I kinda miss my Baja Tele... I swapped up for a Kotzen Tele, so not complaining. Next time I'm in a store (it they still exist) I'll try one of these Duo things out.

[@raytonioni4245]

I've been waiting for them to do this forever! I have an old duo sonic with a broken switch, you literally cannot find replacements, finally there's gonna be used parts on reverb lol. Also great intro track!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks Ray! What parts do you need?

[@raytonioni4245]

@@LivingroomGearDemos just a three way selector switch! The old one is not able to be disassembled so I'm unable to fix it

[@gustavbertilsson9896]

Cool guitar and love In the fade too!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

haha, In the Fade? Never heard of her!

[@PerAliaPorcem]

Is that chord riff at 5:23 something famous? It sounds like 90s alternative, which is apropos for this guitar. I have the Player Series Mustang 90 in Aged Natural, which sounds unique & amazing. Wish I had this one too! Haha.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

I think it's pretty similar to Queens of the Stone Age's 'In the Fade'. Check that one out!

[@brutallyremastered4255]

Nice use of apropos.

[@ThomasStrings]

Gold member made me spit my coffee.

[@JamieToddBand]

Great demo. A honey of a guitar.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

thanks!

[@sunlounger29]

Ooh, you're on fire... ;-)

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

🔥 🔥 🔥

[@OldDolio312]

I dont even like gold on anything. But damn something bout this colour combo

[@MultiJalen123]

love the intro man

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thaaanks!

[@Rachels123]

I tried to buy one, but couldn’t decide on the color.

[@lincolnstovall9471]

Gold anodized desert sand squier classic vibe duo sonic

[@nemisiesaidSTARS]

Compared to a professional series Jazzmaster how similar is the sound?

[@Jalanclayton84]

Based just on the neck scale and the pickup shape, I'm guessing it would compare more closely to a jaguar.

[@gabrielhiggins9991]

Love the Duo, but this just makes me want an HX Stomp!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

haha, get one, it's fricking amazing! I love mine

[@Maxhuertas]

Will you be making a video with the vintera mustang?

[@maykolllopez1585]

got an orange one that I adore

[@stevenfalk4787]

Why not make it true to the original specs with a thinner nut & 21 fret neck so younger players can have a true student guitar. You cant by the original ones cheap like when I was a kid. People who sell them think they are worth thousands. Trust me they are not . I had one. I could hardly wait to trade up to a Tele. We bought duo sonics & mustangs cheap to learn on & then traded up so some one younger could buy & learn. Fender has missed an opportunity to keep the circle continuing.

[@cade_olson]

Anyone else really interested in his pedal setup for these demo songs?

[@giannismusic2694]

I'm trying to get into expanding my chord library, could you tell me some of the types of chords you are playing in the intro song? I'd really appreciate it. Great Vid! Can't wait to save up for one of these!

[@ChurchillCigar]

Not buying a Tele Baja when they were around 700€ is one of my biggest mistakes.

[@schlo9358]

nice intro playing and video edit!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks a lot Simon!

[@stuartdennis8506]

Feels like a Weezer track at the beginning 🙌🏻

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thats a good thing - thanks!

[@sanfecat]

Nice! I have the HS version and I love it. By the way, may I ask what fuzz/distortion preset are you using in the intro song? Thanks!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

The first slide fuzz part is the industrial fuzz on the HX. The last riff of the intro is with two different big muffs panned left and right.

[@sanfecat]

Awesome, thanks!

[@gerritschwatzer8114]

Very similar to a Bullet De Luxe of the beginning eighties.

[@StevenMorris]

Wish it came with a 22" neck!

[@loki3292]

I got a hack saw, let's do this!

[@skovgaard2000]

Love the intro song!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks!

[@CH-he8pr]

my first guitar ever was a fender duo sonic

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Rad

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodBallsack]

Den estetikken din er det faen meg få andre som slår as. Hele kanalen din, colour grade på videoene, gitarene, musikken. Det er helt fantastisk sjukt.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Det er faktisk helt sjukt, ja! ;)

[@jensemilasp5740]

Cool stuff. Dattera mi dansa heftig til introen 💃

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Hah, kult! Takk for handelen! 🙂

[@samco2502]

Goldmember!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

I love goooold

[@Soulmanbsr]

what about neck profile? Is like strat C profile or slimmer?

[@froag4003]

SHIRT LINK

[@iCharleyh]

My man how tall are you? You make that Duo-Sonic look particularly small.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

6,2

[@wolff_]

Killer intro!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks!

[@adi-yf3vs]

I want one of these so bad. Is there any disadvantages to short scale? I'm just curious since they are always described as being more comfortable to play why doesn't everyone play them?

[@WILDFIRE096]

They generally have less sustain and a more “jangly” tone, which is not necessarily a bad thing - just different 😊

[@dandan0o0]

You also may want to go up in string gauge since the shorter scale length requires heavier string gauges to get proper stringer tension. I have the Fender mustang performer which is the same scale length as these and they were strung with 9s which never stayed in tune. Went up to 10.5s and never had tuning issues.

[@inkusaido]

I love short scale guitars but I think it's minly because I learnt to play the guitar on short scales and my main is a jag. It feels really different to full scale. The thing I've noticed the most is that my jag is really easy to bend and pitch shift while other guitars like jazzmasters requiere way more effort (for bendings and such)

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

I have a guitar in every scale. The short 24" scale is excellent for speed but you get less definition with the notes.Oddly enough if you finger pick instead of it being easier it is harder as you have to be overly precise on where you put your finger as there is less room between the frets to place it. On a full 25 1/2" Fender scale the problem is having to stretch your fingers further apart. I find that Gibsons 24 3/4" is the perfect compromise.

[@TheFunnyzach]

no there are no disadvantages unless you have massive hands. I own quite a few 24" scale guitars, and I absolutely love them.

[@andreyvanakoff9412]

I used to play 2017 HS DuoSonic. From sound - zero questions, real authentic and versatile Fender sound, from glassy cleans to heavy riffs. 2017 Mustang was better aesthetically to me, but bridge pickup was total garbage. AM Perf Mustang was painted better, but had very cheap sound. All offsets are very comfortable to play.

[@idavidcrawford]

Would you recommend the SS over the HS?

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

I'm usually not a fant of HSS or HS configurations, so I would always go for SS. But HS will be meatier for sure!

[@stevenfalk4787]

how about playing through a fender tube amp

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Don't have any.

[@Edward-tc3zk]

what are some of those chords around 2:10-2:15? Super sexy guitar and excellent video. Wish this guitar wasn't out of stock most places around me. Always feel like I should play a guitar before buying but these days it is tough. (and I need a new guitar)

[@TheTrollMastah]

If only it was finished in Nitro

[@coffeetop9127]

Are you playing in band? really wanna hear your music!!!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Not at the moment!

[@coffeetop9127]

@@LivingroomGearDemos anyway demo in the begining is freacking cool, we need full version!!

[@ybblue2732]

How did you do the flame effect on your fingers when you’re playing???

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

it's animated! I used a plugin for final cut.

[@ybblue2732]

Living Room Gear Demos Sir, please let me know what plugin that is. Thank you kindly 💖

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Pixel Film Studios Brush Glow 2!

[@riffcodgerpetermcaleer8638]

Yeah. Check it out on my channel too if you like. I've got the surf green with Pau ferro fretboard. I love it to bits. Peter mcaleer

[@Boogielee0520]

nice

[@justjack4884]

Does anyone know the song names? Or Any songs they sound like?

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

I didn't play any songs. Just stuff I either improvised or made for the video. Another commenter said that the intro track reminded him of QOTSA's "In The Fade" though. Check out that one!

[@justjack4884]

Living Room Gear Demos I see. Thank you. That was some interesting stuff, you should consider using them on some songs.

[@americanbystandard]

It's like Mustang without tremolo and horrible pick up selector that keeps hitting my finger.

[@erestube]

Too bad the switches are junk and will break before you know it!

[@fauxmmercials8716]

You can talk!?

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

barely!

[@cgavin1]

£600? Seems a bit steep for a toy guitar.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

tell me how it's a toy guitar

[@stagnatic]

Okay, now I’m undecided: this or the J. Mascis Jazzmaster?

[@spiegelkind2387]

This. The Squier jazzmaster bridge is a nightmare, if you really want a floating trem it’s best to save up for a Vintera…