Hi Tomo!!
Quick question about Duo Sonic. I have smaller hands so I was interested in buying one -- I found a relatively 1993 short scale model (22", MIM, artic white that seems to yellow in a cool and vintage way). There was a short period of time in the mid 90s when the 22" re-emerged although my understanding is that the nut width is bigger than the orginal. My goal is to replace the electronics and pickguaed, restore the vintage wiring scheme, pots, etc. Here is my question. There is a company called Klein pickups, which sell recreations of the vintage Duo Sonic for every year 1956-63.
https://www.kleinpickups.com/c-28-duosonic-mustang.aspx
Based on your collection, what year has the best pickups for your blues, jazz sound?
Thanks!
Dan
Here is Tomo's reply:
"Even if you could find original vintage pickups, I am not sure how much you could change the tone of that guitar. With a relatively inexpensive guitar, it is not always possible to change the basic tone. (Look at it the other way around: if you own real vintage Duo Sonic, and you change to cheap pickups, the tone is still amazing!)
"I recommend you save $$$ and buy a killer vintage Duo Sonic. This way you will experience the real value of a vintage guitar. You cannot replace that tone, no matter how hard you try!"
P.S. "I have tried many different pickups (including the brand in your comment). For me, the best are the Grinning Dog Pickups from Japan. Most other modern pickups (even the ones made for vintage tone) are too warm and do not have a crisp top end like real vintage pickups."