Duesenberg Double Cat 12 Vintage Burst

Duesenberg Double Cat 12 Vintage Burst review

The Duesenberg Double Cat 12 is a 12-string electric guitar with a 648 mm scale, a maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. Its Vintage Burst finish gives the instrument a classic look, while its construction and pickup configuration are aimed at players who want the doubled texture of a 12-string without giving up a familiar electric-guitar feel. It has been available since July 2023 and is listed under item number 567964.

One owner describes the build quality as excellent, the sound as outstanding, and the playability as unusually comfortable for a 12-string. They also note that a 12-string cannot be played exactly like a six-string, but say the guitar is enjoyable enough to invite frequent use. That is a useful distinction: the Double Cat 12 retains the physical demands of its format, while its neck and overall setup can make those demands easier to live with.

Construction and playing feel

The detailed specifications describe a solid American alder body with sound chambers and a laminated maple top. A shorter product summary lists the body as maple, so the construction details are the more specific account available here. The combination of alder and maple is paired with a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. Duesenberg lists a 305 mm fingerboard radius, a 45 mm nut width, and 22 jumbo frets.

The 648 mm scale is a standard-length electric-guitar scale, rather than a short-scale design. On a 12-string, that matters because each course contains two strings, increasing the number of strings the fretting hand has to manage. The 45 mm nut width provides room for the paired strings, while the reported six-string-like feel suggests the neck remains approachable for players already accustomed to conventional electric guitars. That comment is an owner impression, not a substitute for trying the neck in person.

Dual-action truss rods provide neck adjustment in either direction. Duesenberg pairs them with a stop tailpiece and its steel-saddle Tunamatic bridge. The listed specifications do not state the factory string gauges or setup measurements, so players should not assume the guitar will arrive with a particular amount of neck relief or action.

Pickups and controls

The pickup details identify a Duesenberg DP90 Domino single-coil pickup and a Grand Vintage humbucker. This combination gives the instrument two different pickup designs, with a three-way switch for selecting between them and their combined setting. Master volume and master tone controls keep the control layout straightforward.

A separate summary field labels the pickups "HS" and the pickup system "HP," but those abbreviations are not explained. The named DP90 Domino and Grand Vintage models are the clearer guide to what is fitted. The available specifications do not provide output readings or detailed tonal claims, so it would be unwise to predict exact frequency response from the pickup names alone. The practical advantage is the choice between a single-coil design and a humbucker, within a 12-string guitar intended to cover more than one basic electric-guitar voice.

What the owner feedback tells us

The owner's comments focus on the parts that matter during regular playing: finish and workmanship, sound, and comfort. Their enthusiasm is especially telling because the instrument's 12-string layout comes with an unavoidable adjustment period. Chords, bends, and string muting require a different touch from a six-string guitar. The owner acknowledges that limitation, yet reports playing the Duesenberg often because it remains enjoyable.

That feedback supports a measured conclusion. The Double Cat 12 is not presented as a replacement for a six-string, nor should buyers expect the same feel from a doubled-string layout. It appears to make the format more inviting for someone who wants the fuller, paired-string sound and is prepared to adapt their technique. No broader claims about reliability or long-term durability can be drawn from a single owner report.

Verdict

The Duesenberg Double Cat 12 Vintage Burst combines a chambered American alder body, laminated maple top, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and two named pickups. Its 648 mm scale, 45 mm nut width, jumbo frets, and simple master controls give prospective buyers useful details to compare against their own preferences. The owner feedback adds a positive report on workmanship, sound, and playability, while candidly recognizing the differences between 12-string and six-string playing.

The listed price is 2,333. A gig bag is included, but a hard case is not. For a player drawn to the 12-string format who values a comfortable electric-guitar feel, the Double Cat 12 has a persuasive specification sheet and encouraging real-world feedback. A hands-on trial remains the best way to judge its neck width, string feel, and response.