Duo Sonic
The Guitars of Jimi Hendrix
To most people the truth about when Jimi Hendrix got his first guitar and what types of guitars he played throughout his career is somewhat of a mystery. Although, he was unarguably the greatest guitar player ever, and with his fertile musical mind, perhaps the greatest composer of our generation or ever for that matter. No disrespect intended, putting Jimi in company with Bach, Beethoven and the likes. True Genius.
The path that will be described here is what I would consider the most accurate, after a lot of research and a little voodoo-magic. Realistically though, boiling down the mixture may leave some people to disagree with me, and I welcome the input.
The evidence and consistencies suggest that his first guitar was a cheap acoustic his dad gave to him, as early as eleven years old. The story goes as such, that even at a young age of six years, his school teacher mentioned to his dad, Jimi obsesses over having a guitar so much that it may be contributing to some mental health issues. Not to discount todays teachers, but that was a very perceptive statement at that time.
His first electric guitar was bought from Myers Music in Seattle in 1959. Professed to be a white, single pickup Supro Ozark. The next axe that Hendrix played was a red Danelectro single pickup Silvertone, nicknamed Betty Jean. In’62, while doing some gigs with the King Casuals in Tennessee, he traded his Danelectro for an Epiphone Wilshire, which had dual pickups and a glued on mahogany neck with a solid mahogany body, as opposed to the bolt on Fender Stratocaster guitar necks.
In 1964, Jimi would play rhythm guitar for the Isley Brothers. During this nine month gig, he finally got his first Fender guitar, a blond’59 Duo-Sonic. He next played with Little Richard in ‘65, and briefly played a Fender Jazzmaster. However, he switched back to a Dou-Sonic when he played with Curtis Knight and the Squires. Even though Jimi later returned to the Jazzmaster.
A point of interest is that none of the gigs he had with the bands mentioned above lasted very long, because Jimi’s guitar work stole the show. His unbelievable guitar abilities were noticed by all immediately, which took the focus away from the musical-icons he worked for.
Jimi purchased his first Strat from Manny’s Music in New York in ‘66 in the summer. Early on he would use a variety of CBS Strats with rosewood fretboards. While he was staying in Greenwich Village in late ‘66 and ‘67 he narrowed down his choices to a ’60’s era Reverse Fender Stratocasterblack or white Fender Strats using maple fretboards. Which, most likely is the reason the Fender Stratocaster is the most important guitar in the history of guitars and music.
From then on he played Fender Stratocasters with large headstocks. One of his many unusual playing techniques was to play a right handed guitar backwards, or in the left handed position, obviously because Jimi was left handed. In order to do that one must reverse the strings and (bone) nut so the low E was still on the top. My understanding was that he preferred the controls on the top of the guitar. Apparently he could work his magic easier with the voluminous amount of tricks he performed, partly by messing with the volume control knob. Jimi was not much on tone controls or guitar setup. Mostly Jimi spent the bulk of time modifying his tremolo to do things like lower the pitch more than usual and create trem sounds otherwise unheard of.
Naturally Jim Hendrix had purchased and played a tremendous assortment of guitars in his lifetime. During my fact finding mission, this is the list of the other guitars Jimi most likely owned and played; a Gibson ES-330, a Gibson Firebird, a Mosrite electric resonator guitar, a Guild 12 string acoustic, a Black Widow Spider acoustic, several Rickenbacker’s including a bass Rick, a double neck Mosrite, a Hagstrom 8 string bass(it was the on played on Spanish Castle Magic from the Axis Bold As Love album’, a ‘67 Gibson Flying V, a ‘67 Gretsch Corvette, a lefty Guild Starfire Deluxe, a Hofner electric, a ‘55 Gibson Les Paul, a Gibson Dove acoustic, a Martin acoustic, a ‘68 Gibson SG Custom and a black lefty Flying V. Wow!
It is not surprising that Jimi owned so many guitars. The depth of knowledge and pure unadulterated playing style was not limited to just electric guitars and Stratocasters. His unique abilities allowed him to play any guitar with the deep soul jarring vibes that were all his. It would be unrealistic to think he was limited to one style of guitar. Or for that matter, one type of music. Jimi’s interest in music extended to the world of classical music as well.
Lost to many, is the fact that Jimi was one of the best rhythm guitarists ever, most folk know him for his lead and solo guitar work, he was also an adept bass player too. And last, he was a master at the acoustic guitar, using chords in a manner unknown to mankind at that time. This combo of skills and abilities produced the man who will be forever the patron saint of rock guitar.
A long article to read indeed. A true joy putting the info together. It turned out to be a long path to find the truth. Enjoy it.
About the Author
For more information about Guitar Players Center Guitars of the Great Players or Guitar Players. Feel free to visit our website, ask questions, share it with others, make comments or simply enjoy.
Fender Squier Duo-Sonic
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1965 FENDER MUSICMASTER/DUO-SONIC/MUSTANG PICKGUARD NITRATE RARE PATTERN $99.99 |
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Pickups Handwound Mustang or Duo Sonic guitar pickup set. $80.00 |
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FENDER SQUIER CLASSIC VIBE DUO SONIC 50s REISSUE ELECTRIC GUITAR MINT CONDITION! $249.00 |
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CHEVY SONIC HATCH 12 PRECUT WINDOW TINT ☀ BLACK BOX ULTIMACOOL DUO™ $54.78 |
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CHEVY SONIC SEDAN 12 PRECUT WINDOW TINT ☀ BLACK BOX ULTIMACOOL DUO™ $54.78 |
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NEW Fender Squier Classic Vibe Duo-Sonic Bridge Pickup $19.99 |
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Genuine Fender Duo-Sonic Neck Pickup & Aged White Cover 0074928000 NEW $18.99 |
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Original 1964 Kluson Tuners DUO-Sonic/Music Master $75.00 |
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NEW Squier Reissue DuoSonic Duo Sonic guitar bridge 3 saddle chrome $17.95 |
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VINTAGE 60’s FENDER USA MUSTANG DUO SONIC II PICKGUARD GUITAR PART $79.95 |
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VINTAGE 1960 FENDER MUSICMASTER DUO-SONIC GUITAR GUITAR CASE $49.95 |
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VINTAGE 1960 FENDER MUSICMASTER DUO-SONIC GUITAR BRIDGE PART w/SCREWS $89.95 |
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VINTAGE FENDER 1960’s MUSTANG DUO-SONIC II CONTROL PANEL PLATE w/POTS JACK $24.95 |
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1965 1966 Fender Duo Sonic Musicmaster guitar tuning pegs tuners machines $80.99 |
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Fender Squier Classic Vibe Duo-Sonic 50’s Reissue Electric Guitar $227.60 |
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Vintage 1960’s Fender Musicmaster/Duo-sonic Bridge Plate old original part NR $15.50 |
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FENDER STRATOCASTER TELECASTER MUSTANG DUOSONIC BRONCO JAZZMASTER GUITAR FLAMES $9.99 |
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GUITAR STRIPE FOR FENDER STRATOCASTER MUSTANG DUOSONIC BRONCO CYCLONE COMPETITIO $8.99 |
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Duo-Sonic DuoSonic OnlyMusic VINTAGE REPRODUCTION BRIDGE PICKUP FREE SHIPPING $35.00 |
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1965 1966 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar bridge $67.99 |
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1965 1966 1967 Fender Duo Sonic Musicmaster guitar tuning pegs tuners Mustang $80.99 |
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1966 Fender Telecaster Precision Mustang Duo Sonic pots harness jack 1967 $103.49 |
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60’s Fender Mustang Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar case 1964 1965 1966 1967 $49.99 |
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1965 1966 1967 Fender Mustang Duo Sonic guitar pickup Musicmaster Stratocaster $110.69 |
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1974 Fender Telecaster Precision Musicmaster Duo Sonic pots harness jack 1975 $62.99 |
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SQUIER Vintage-Style Plastic Button tuners for CLASSIC VIBE DUOSONIC 0074939000 $19.95 |
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Squier Classic Vibe Duo Sonic $300.00 |
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FENDER® MUSTANG/BRONCO/DUO SONIC WHITE PICKUP COVER (2) $4.95 |
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1965 1966 1967 Fender Duo Sonic Mustang guitar pearloid pickguard $69.99 |
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1965 1966 Fender Telecaster Precision Musicmaster Duo Sonic pots harness jack $92.69 |
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Seymour Duncan Antiquity Mustang pickup Duo Sonic Musicmaster Stratocaster $53.99 |
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Seymour Duncan Antiquity Mustang pickup Duo Sonic Musicmaster Stratocaster $53.99 |
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VINTAGE 1960 KLUSON DELUXE TUNER SET FOR FENDER MUSICMASTER, DUO SONIC, NR, 3DAY $9.95 |
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VINTAGE 1960 FENDER MUSICMASTER, DUO SONIC GUITAR BRIDGE, ORIGINAL, NR, 3 DAY!!! $9.95 |
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JAMES LAST -CLASSICS UP TO DATE – NZ PRESSING – POLYDOR FLIPBACK *DUOSONIC* $11.00 |
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1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 Fender Duo Sonic Musicmaster guitar tuning pegs tuners $112.49 |
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1965 1966 Fender Mustang Duo Sonic guitar pickup Musicmaster Stratocaster 5.62k $116.99 |
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1965 1966 1967 Fender Mustang Musicmaster Duo Sonic pickup Stratocaster 5.75k $121.49 |
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1965 1966 1967 Fender Mustang Musicmaster Duo Sonic pickup shields copper $21.24 |
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1965 1966 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar bridge $67.99 |
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1964 1965 1966 Fender Mustang Musicmaster Duo Sonic pickup shields copper $21.24 |
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1964 1965 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar bridge $74.79 |
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1965 1966 Fender Mustang Duo Sonic guitar pickup Musicmaster Stratocaster $116.99 |
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Duo Sonic 60’s Vintage repro wiring harness w/ switch $65.00 |
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1972 1973 1974 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar body original white aged $179.99 |
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1964 1965 1966 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar body original white aged $242.99 |
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FENDER DUO SONIC MADE IN MEXICO!!!! $41.00 |
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Fender Squier Classic Vibe Duo-Sonic Electric Guitar $289.99 |
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Fender Duo Sonic DuoSonic Comp Guitar Stripe $9.99 |
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Fender 1964 1965 1966 1967 hard case for Musicmaster Duo Sonic Mustang guitars $69.99 |
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VINTAGE FENDER ” F” TUNERS 1966 FOR MUSTANG OR DUO SONIC $79.95 |
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FENDER STRATOCASTER TELECASTER MUSTANG DUOSONIC BRONCO JAZZMASTER GUITAR FLAMES $9.99 |
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FENDER STRATOCASTER MUSTANG DUOSONIC BRONCO CYCLONE GUITAR COMPETITION STRIPE $8.99 |
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Genuine Fender Duo-Sonic Bridge Pickup & Aged White Cover 0074929000 NEW $19.99 |
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VINTAGE DUOSONIC PHONOLA PHONOGRAPH RECORD PLAYER TURNTABLE CASE $30.00 |
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GENUINE 1956-1957 FENDER MUSICMASTER DUO SONIC BRIDGE $179.00 |
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1962 FENDER DUO-SONIC,DUOSONIC VINTAGE USA MADE, OHSC! $305.00 |
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GENUINE 1956 FENDER MUSICMASTER DUO SONIC PICKUP STRATOCASTER $279.00 |
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GENUINE 1956 FENDER MUSICMASTER DUO SONIC PICKUP COVER $99.00 |
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GENUINE 1956 FENDER MUSICMASTER DUO SONIC PICKUP MOUNTING SCREWS $40.00 |
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GENUINE 1958 FENDER MUSICMASTER DUO SONIC TUNERS $70.00 |
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1964 1965 Fender Musicmaster Mustang Duo Sonic guitar chrome control plate $18.69 |
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1965 1966 1967 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar body Daphne Blue ORIGINAL! $269.99 |
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Vintage 1960s Fender Duo Sonic Musicmaster Bridge #1607 $124.99 |
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Fender 60’s hard case for Musicmaster Duo Sonic Mustang guitars 1964 1965 1966 $92.99 |
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PhotoFact Manual DUOSONIC K1 / K2 (18) $4.50 |
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PhotoFact Manual DUOSONIC K3 / K4 (18) $4.50 |
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1964 1965 Fender Duo Sonic neck rosewood $269.99 |
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Fender Duo Sonic Mustang, Music Maker Pick-up Covers ‘64 orig. condition relic $20.00 |
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Wooden Shjips Remixes LP vinyl indie sonic boom spacemen 3 psych moon duo $14.95 |
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1963 Fender Duo-Sonic, Sunburst Vintage original PRE_CBS $2,295.00 |
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1961 1962 1963 Fender control knobs volume tone Precision Telecaster Duo Sonic $99.99 |
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VINTAGE MID 60’s FENDER MUSTANG DUO-SONIC MUSICMASTER II GUITAR TUNERS COMPLETE $79.95 |
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Fender Squier Classic Vibe 50s Duo-Sonic Vintage BRIDGE $3 OFF $26.99 |
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Vintage 1966 Fender Duo Sonic II Body / Fender Mustang $175.00 |
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FENDER TUNERS vintage mustang duo sonic 1968 $70.00 |
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1963 Fender Duo-Sonic, Sunburst Vintage original PRE_CBS $1,999.99 |
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1965 1966 Fender Duo Sonic Musicmaster guitar tuning pegs tuners machines $109.99 |
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1962 1963 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar body project refinished Sonic blue $251.99 |
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1963 1964 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar body project ORIGINAL red $233.99 |
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1964 1965 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar body Dakota Red UNMODDED $233.99 |
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VINTAGE 1966 FENDER MUSTANG GUITAR PICKUP PARTS PROJECT MUSICMASTER DUO SONIC $125.00 |
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VINTAGE 1968 FENDER MUSTANG GUITAR NECK! NO RESERVE! PROJECT PARTS! DUOSONIC! $0.99 |
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1961 1962 1963 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar body Sunburst $349.99 |
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70’s Fender pickup covers Duo Sonic Musicmaster Mustang $19.99 |
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1965 1966 Fender Duo Sonic Musicmaster guitar tuning pegs tuners machines $109.99 |
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1965 1966 Fender Telecaster Precision Musicmaster Duo Sonic pots harness jack $127.99 |
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1965 1966 1967 Fender Mustang Musicmaster Duo Sonic pickup shields copper $22.99 |
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1964 1965 Fender Musicmaster Duo Sonic guitar bridge $84.99 |
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1965 1966 Fender Mustang 5.58k pickup Duo Sonic Musicmaster Stratocaster $127.99 |
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70’s Fender pickup covers Duo Sonic Musicmaster Mustang $19.99 |
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1972 1973 1974 Fender Mustang Musicmaster Duo Sonic pickup shields copper $17.99 |
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70’s Fender pickup covers Duo Sonic Musicmaster Mustang $19.99 |
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1975 1976 Fender pickup covers Duo Sonic Musicmaster Mustang 70’s $19.99 |
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Seymour Duncan Antiquity Duo-Sonic Neck 11034-01 NEW $66.95 |
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Vintage 90’s Fender Duo Sonic Tuning Pegs $9.99 |
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Squier DuoSonic Reissue of THE Fender DuoSonic $200.00 |
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Fender 60’s blonde hard case for Musicmaster Duo Sonic Mustang guitars $93.49 |
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Mustang or Duo Sonic CBS Style Pickup Set *Hand Wound* $125.00 |
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Squier By Fender Classic Vibe Duosonic Guitar in Desert Sand $329.99 |
