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Post by gaucho on Jul 21, 2015 0:37:07 GMT
Here is that Duolian I found last week, as past of an estate sell off. Got a super price on it! The Duco is in great shape. It's all original and plays pretty well, tho it will need a neck reset at some point. When I first got it, it sounded awesome on the treble strings (had that distinct banjo-y twang that only a vintage cone can make!) but the bass was a bit dull (sorta like Robert Petway's Duolian on "Catfish Blues", but not in a good way). I put new strings on it this morning and the bass came alive! The treble side lost a little bit of the twang, but still sounds good. I think once the geometry is sorted with the neck re-set, it'll be perfect!   |
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Post by snakehips on Jul 21, 2015 8:23:31 GMT
Woah !!!!!
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Jul 21, 2015 9:20:31 GMT
Cor Blimey, Guv.
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Post by gaucho on Jul 24, 2015 11:10:03 GMT
Snake, it is very clean, but not to the extent of that 14 fretter you play in that video about standard tuning slide. Man, that one looks flawless! What's the story on that one? |
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Post by snakehips on Jul 24, 2015 15:41:26 GMT
Hi there !
I got that one in about 1999 - in a tiny guitar/music shop in a small town in the south of England, near Portsmouth.
It had a nut extender on it and I think it had probably been purchased from new, direct from the US, in the mid 1930's, during the Hawaiian craze in Britain, or possibly purchased off a US Serviceman on leave in Britain, during WW2. It probably didn't get played much, and hence the Duco finished and fretboard&frets survived very well, because the neck was banana'd.
I had the neck heat-pressed straight - and that has still kept quite straight about 14 or 15yrs since it was done. Unfortunately, the local. Luthier who did a nice job straightening the neck, also glued in the original cone with silicone sealer !
My other 14-fret Duolian was also bought in England, owned by some old guy since new. It was one of his many belongings in his garage he wanted thrown out into the trash, when he was over 80yrs old and about to move into a retirement home. Neck banana'd too but 95% finish intact - just really the edges had the usual chipping.
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Post by alexandre on Jul 24, 2015 15:59:09 GMT
... Well, that is a serious find !!
I can't remind if I've ever seen such a greenish duco in that kind of (very good) shape.
The hazard drove me on (great) triolians, but I'd love to get the hands on a duolian, just for test-drive.
Congratulations !!
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Post by davey on Jul 24, 2015 17:26:27 GMT
Regarding a neck reset, what has changed over the years ? If the neck has bowed it's better to have the neck pressed straight again.
If it hasn't and there isn't a gap at the heel, the neck set is probably as it came out of the factory.
Gorgeous Guitar by the way.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2015 18:05:07 GMT
Gaucho - you seem to be having all the luck with these finds.
You'll be telling us next you live in greatest place, have the best job and the best looking missus !
TT
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Post by rbe on Jul 24, 2015 19:39:29 GMT
That is a very nice Duolian. Chances are, it needs both a heat set and neck set. But IMHO a neck set is more likely. The wood has been drying for over 80 years. Things shrink. Hopefully no one has messed with up until now and it can be readily put back to the original geometry. The back on that guitar is outstanding. Nice find, Gaucho!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2015 10:34:15 GMT
The green duco finish matches my face!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2015 10:41:25 GMT
The green duco finish matches my face!
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