The restoration of a 1980's MSA D10

Mathias Lundqvist · Post by **Mathias Lundqvist** » 21 Nov 2007 12:50 am

A few pics of my latest restoration. I bought it really cheap since the former owner had gotten tired of the fact that the strings never returned to the right pitch after engaging pedals. I soon found out why - EVERYTING was binding up in that guitar! So I took it completely apart and the rest you'll see in the pictures

BEFORE:

DURING:

AFTER:

B. Greg Jones · Post by **B. Greg Jones** » 21 Nov 2007 7:24 am

Wow!!! Very nicely done!!!! Looks great and I'll bet plays like a dream too!!!

Greg

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 21 Nov 2007 7:55 am

Man that is a work of art. I assume that is a Classic SS, which is a great guitar if everything is setup right. The gold color is a nice touch, I've never seen a steel this color. The flocking underneath looks really neat too. GREAT JOB.

Carlos Polidura · Post by **Carlos Polidura** » 21 Nov 2007 7:59 am

A job well done Mathias.
That is a very preaty guitar. Hope you enjoy it for a very long time.
Carlos

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 21 Nov 2007 8:18 am

Mathias, you must be very proud. That is beautiful workmanship!

A. J. Schobert · Post by **A. J. Schobert** » 21 Nov 2007 8:22 am

Did you have an autobody shop paint your guitar?

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 21 Nov 2007 9:32 am

Beautiful restoration, but that's not an MSA neck and fretboard. Where did they come from?

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 21 Nov 2007 10:28 am

What a great looking guitar! I too would like to know how the gold color was applied!

Greg

Mathias Lundqvist · Post by **Mathias Lundqvist** » 21 Nov 2007 11:35 am

Thanks guys for really nice and kind comments!

Darvin, yes it's a SS, 80-something. I think I've gotten the setup pretty good cause it plays and sounds great!! Your amazingly good lookin SS was a big inspiration during my work, although they have very diffrent looks. Mine was also red from the factory.

A.J and Greg, yes the paint is automotive lacquer and I had it sprayed by the same guy who paint my vintage cars. I did the undercoating with autopaint undercoat in two layers, then he sprayed base and clearcoat at the shop. Turned out great!

Mike, sharp observation. Sadly I don't know who's made the necks and fretboard, they sat there when I bought the guitar. They have no logo or markings what so ever but they both look like they're made by a professional. They are bolted on with milimeter screws so they are either european made or retaped with milimeter thread when installed.
I was because of the aluminium necks I allowed my self to do a custom paintjob and flocking on this guitar. If it had the original necks I would probably have restored it true to original specs.

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 22 Nov 2007 7:18 am

Sweet! What a nice job you did on that guitar. I bet it plays great and sounds good now. Enjoy it!
Larry Jamieson

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 22 Nov 2007 9:16 am

Nice!!!!

The gold color is really a nice touch.

Gary Shepherd · Post by **Gary Shepherd** » 22 Nov 2007 1:18 pm

In your plastic parts box picture, in the bottom row and 4th column there are brass bushings with set screws. Did you make those or can they be bought somewhere?

Very nice work on everything. Why didn't you go with square crossbars?

Mathias Lundqvist · Post by **Mathias Lundqvist** » 22 Nov 2007 1:45 pm

Thanks Larry and Bill for your comments! And yes, it plays GREAT!

Gary, the brass bushings are the originals only polished. They can be bought from Wayne Link at Linkon pedal steels in Canada and probably from a couple of other places. But they are very easy to make. In Sweden we only have 6 mm brass rods which is a little less in diameter than the original inchmeasures but it works good. I made a couple of extras for a MSA S10 i restored a year ago.
I went with round crossbars since they are the originals. To go with squares I would have had to get new bellcranks and that would have been pretty expensive since I haven't got a milling machine. Also, there is no need to modify the mechanics of old MSAs, they do there job any way!!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 3 Feb 2008 4:21 pm

A great job, Mathias, and the change of color is a big improvement.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 3 Feb 2008 5:39 pm

I see a steel guitar club in the northern US is giving away a new MSA D-10 as a second prize in a up coming steel guitar show!

Bobbe

Joel Meredith · Post by **Joel Meredith** » 3 Feb 2008 8:22 pm

It's beautiful in the foliage.

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 4 Feb 2008 2:06 pm

I agree with the others that the gold is a nice touch. I like things just that little bit different!!

.....good looking axe.

Micky Byrne United kingdom

Ricky Newman · Post by **Ricky Newman** » 4 Feb 2008 2:14 pm

wow wow wow

Beautiful Job.

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 4 Feb 2008 2:33 pm

You have done one great job on that guitar. you should do it for a living...John

David LeBlanc · Post by **David LeBlanc** » 4 Feb 2008 4:35 pm

You`ve givin me hope. I`m in the prosess of re-rodding mine. You did a great job.