In 1955, Fender Sales decided the company
needed to add inexpensive student
electric guitar models to the existing
lineup, which included the Esquire,
the Telecaster, the Stratocaster, and
the Precision bass. These new beginner
electrics were introduced by 1956. They
were called the Musicmaster (one pickup)
and the Duo-Sonic (two pickups).
These short-scale guitars were designed
for young beginners with small fingers.
The Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic shared
the same double-cutaway Desert Sand
colored bodies, and 22-½" scale, one-piece
maple necks. The Musicmaster
had Telecaster-style volume and tone
knobs for its neck-position single-coil
pickup. The Duo-Sonic boasted an
added bridge pickup and a 3-way selector
switch. By 1959, Fender added rosewood
fretboards to the maple necks,
matching the change to the rest of
the Fender line. Thick, single-ply white
pickguards replaced the original gold
anodized guards, and sunburst finish
became an option. 
The models received
makeovers in 1964 to coincide with the
introduction of the Mustang. The short scale
Duo-Sonics and Musicmasters
were offered through 1969.Both Michael Bloomfield and Jimi Hendrix played Duo-Sonics in their early careers before working their way up to the "big boy" Fenders and Gibsons.
More information on these Fender guitars can be found in Fender: The Sound Heard ’Round the World by Richard R. Smith, and in The Fender Book by Tony Bacon and Paul Day.
Dave's Guitar Shop
Daves Rogers’ collection is tended to by
Laun Braithwaite and Tim Mullally
Photos and words by Tim Mullally
Dave’s collection is on display at:
Dave's Guitar Shop
1227 Third Street South
La Crosse, WI 54601
davesguitar.com