Questions about the Dual Professional

[Jeff Mead]

I know that some of the early Dual Professionals didn't have the Fender logo on the front but wondered when they actually started putting them on.

Mine is walnut finish which looks original to me with checking on the lacquer but I can't see any remains of a logo.

I haven't taken the tuning pans off yet but I'm guessing it is 1950/51 based on the case being the older square type with leg compartment in the bottom, and a serial number starting with a big D but also trapezoid pickups, black Fender Fullerton badge and block fretboard markers rather than Roman numerals - i.e an early version of the newer style.

Is it feasible that an instrument of this age would not have had a logo on the front?

[Brad Bechtel]

According to Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars, the logo was added in very late 1948. There seems to have been some "transitional" models where Fender used up whatever parts were around, but pre-1948 would be a good guess.

Got photos?