About this site
Welcome to Version 3.2!
The Musicmaster/Duo-Sonic (Photo) Gallery began on 10 October 1997 (shortly after I bought my red, heavily-modded late '50s Musicmaster), after my enthusiasm for these little guitars and the number of images I'd downloaded reached critical mass. It received a major redesign in late 1998, but then floundered for a while (no updates from February 1999 to November 2000, version 3.0) due to other obligations (dissertation, graduation, work, etc.) and locating new web space. After finally getting my own computer (and iTools webspace) in July 2000, I had to accumulate the MM/DS images scattered on various computers at school and sort thru all of the newer ones I'd found in the interim. Unfortunately, some of the better old images were lost in the move (such as Leo's "experimental" Musicmasters that were listed for sale at David Kyle Guitars). We also lost some links to personal web sites along the way. This version has same dull "look"/interface (my neighborhood is limited to 28.8k dialup internet access), but I hope the increase in content makes up for it. Update 3.1 (6/17/01) added to the galleries, links, parts, and mods info. Update 3.1b (2/25/02) added mods info and updated the parts and price listings. Finally, with version 3.2 (8/25/02) the galleries were updated and the site was relocated to a new server (thanks, Chris C./DataSetGo!)
I think the strength of this website is in its Fender parts/mods info, to help others breathe new life into worn old Musicmasters and Duo-Sonics. This reflects my own MM/DS guitars (none of which are even close to original stock condition) and my inability thus far to save up for that clean all-original '56 or '61 Duo-Sonic. Although I certainly appreciate all-original/vintage examples (and if you have such a guitar, PLEASE don't modify it!), it is not my goal for this website to be the "ultimate" authority or the last word on vintage MM/DS guitars. Someone like Tim Pershing (who knows more about MM/DS guitars than most anyone else, and who owns many vintage examples) would do a much better job than myself for a true "vintage" MM/DS website.
Comments/suggestions/feedback are welcome (MarcelRoy@yahoo.com). I try to reply to ALL e-mails in a timely manner (except for those who want me to tell them what their guitar is worth -- see the price listings pages for more info), but subsequent site updates will probably be minor. (I would also like to add a guestbook to expedite communication; can anyone recommend a guestbook service?)
The choice of students and professional musicians everywhere!
source: Fender ad copy, scanned from the 4/14/60 issue of Down Beat
Site credits and thanks
This site would not have been possible without the help of many people. Thanks especially go to Fender student model guru Tim Pershing, whose information and great photos were the backbone of this site, then and now. I also want to thank GGJaguar, Rockin' Joe, and everyone else who wrote in with pictures, comments, and questions. Special thanks to Vintage Guitar Info, Mr. Maxima, Bernardo Cocco, Jim Shine, and other Fender aficianados for their contributions. In addition, thanks go to the original photographers of all the eBay and gbase.com photos, credited and uncredited, whose photos make up the bulk of the gallery updates. If your photo(s) is (are) included but not credited, please let me know and I'll add a photo credit/link/etc. ASAP or remove photos on request. Finally, thanks to those ultimately responsible for the existence of these guitars: C. Leo Fender, Don Randall, Forrest White, and friends. 'Nuff said....
(unnecessary) disclaimer
Duo-Sonic, Musicmaster, Jaguar, Mustang, Bronco, Cyclone, Tele, and Strat are all registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. The author of this web page is NOT affiliated with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (or any of the guitar shops/individuals whose products are listed, for that matter) in any way. As a non-commercial site, this web page should NOT be construed as a solicitation to buy or an advertisement to sell or appraise anything. The original sources of these photos retain full copyright of them; I just like the guitars.