When Fender originally came out with the Duo-Sonic in 1956, it was designed and marketed as a student guitar. That didn't keep Jimmy James (né Hendrix) from playing one during his stint with the Isley Brothers, and countless other artists of prominence have used Duo-Sonics on tour and in the studio since their original release.

Over the years, the Duo-Sonic has found increased attention from collectors and Fender-philes, and the good old boys from Fullerton have decided to offer the groovy Duo-Sonic under the Squier label, call it the Classic Vibe Duo-Sonic* 50s, and make it a student guitarist's dream-instrument once again.

The original 1956 Duo-Sonic had a 22.5" scale neck, but this newest incarnation uses the 1964 Duo-Sonic II's 24" scale (Why they called the Squier reissue the 50's, then, is anyone's guess**). The gloss finished maple neck features 21 medium-jumbo frets and a 9.5" radius profile.

The Squier Classic Vibe Duo-Sonic 50s will come in Desert Burst over it's basswood body, paired with the always eye-catching gold-anodized pickguard (another 60's era accoutrement, but moving on). The simple electronics comprise a single volume and single tone pot, and a three way selector for the two AlNiCo V single-coil pickups.

All-in-all, the Squier Classic Vibe Duo-Sonic 50s is a snazzy alternative to Stratocasters without the tremolo stability problems of the Mustangs, and the name "Squier" on the headstock ensures that it'll be well within reach of students who don't want to sacrifice quality.

*"Vibe Duo-Sonic" is, coincidentally, the name of my Sonic The Hedgehog slash-fiction.
**Ancient Chinese secret, huh?