Buy a MSA

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 13 Apr 2008 10:45 pm

I'm not familiar enough with the classic SS to say anything about it, but the main difference between the classic and the vintage XL was the triple raise triple lower changer.

The other things are intangible. I had a vintage XL SD-12 that was stolen in 1986 or 87. (Fortunately it was insured so I didn't take a financial hit, but I was still heartbroken at it's loss.) On some level that I can't describe it just felt better than my green one. During the time I had it, it was my primary guitar and the green one was my spare.

Also, while the appearance isn't as important as it's sound and mechanics, as you can see, the Vintage XLs were more elaborately decorated than the earlier guitars.

Michael McNeill · Post by **Michael McNeill** » 14 Apr 2008 2:46 am

Hey Gilbert,

Price is high but the question is: Do you like it? Do you really Like it? Then buy it before it is gone.

If you are looking for something with all the modern stuff, classic tone, plays easy, holds value, and won't break the bank, get the Carter quickly, or go for a used GFI. Personally, I like these 2 better than I do the vintage MSA.

Don't settle for something you don't like to save a couple bucks up front.

Do you play C6? If no, look at SD-10's with 3 or 4 pedals and 4 or 5 Knees.

Have a great day,

Mike

Ernest Cawby · Post by **Ernest Cawby** » 14 Apr 2008 4:43 am

I have always wanted a MSA like this one and it is sure beautiful. That said I would go for the Carter I have one , it is light and plays very good, not the best out there but holds it's own with many guitars, go for the carter now, That is a fair deal on the carter.

ernie

Susan Alcorn · Post by **Susan Alcorn** » 15 Apr 2008 11:24 am

That is one beautiful MSA, and I think the Vintage XL's were the best of the MSA's. It has a wonderful tone, and for the guitars that were made in those days, it was very user friendly. That is a nice guitar -- at least from the photo. If I had had my choice, I would have bought the Sho-Bud because I really like the tone those guitars get, but the Vintage XL is a good instrument. Except for the most recent (another old MSA), all of my albums were recorded on that guitar, and I loved the tone.

Mike Perlowin is correct about the price. The owner should come way down.

Best of luck.

Rick Maxwell · Post by **Rick Maxwell** » 15 Apr 2008 12:57 pm

Check out Bobbe's Sho Buds, Steel Guitar Nashville He has several to choose from at the present. I just bought a Pro II custom from Bobbe last month and you will not go wrong dealing with him !!There is just something bout a Bud

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 15 Apr 2008 1:54 pm

You might not like the MSA's tone, and, as you can see, NONE of us, even the MSA diehards (of which I am NOT) don't like the price. That Carter for 2 grand wil almost ALWAYS be worth 2 grand, it'll sound good, be easy to get parts for, work on, etc. Buy the Carter, and don't look back!

Eugene Cole · Post by **Eugene Cole** » 15 Apr 2008 2:26 pm

Gilbert; that pretty blue MSA is an $1800 to $2100 guitar. The volume pedal and pac-a-seat have some value but they do not total $1000 to $1300 worth of accessories.

Most everyone here agrees that the seller is asking far more than fair market value for this guitar. I am wondering if there are some other issues which you may way to explore now instead of later. What exactly would meet both your needs and your desires. A lot of people have weighed in the price issue but not a lot of discussion has taken place regarding what you really want and need. Let me throw out some questions and comments for you to contemplate and post answers to (as you see fit).

Does this guitar have a really nice case? A great case is a BIG-plus and they are not cheap! If it has the original case then I would value the guitar on the lower-half of the range I mentioned. If this guitar does not come with a really good case it will not stay pretty.

Does this seat adjust to the height that you want?

Does this guitar have the height that you want (otherwise you will need a lift-kit or new rods)?

Does this guitar have the CoPedEnt you desire including all of the pulls? Parts for these old guitars are available but they are not cheap, readily available, nor abundant.

I have a D10 MSA which I like very much, but every time I think about what it would cost in parts to add another knee lever or bell-crank I decide that it can wait.

I know that you are new to this Forum. Are you new to the PSG, or is this a guitar that you are upgrading to?

What are your thoughts regarding Universal tuning versus separate necks.

Gilbert Hofer · Post by **Gilbert Hofer** » 15 Apr 2008 3:19 pm

I've been around the world and back and still in love with this guitar as I know the history of this one. I think i'm going to that the bite and go for it.Even if it is more it is a good investment

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 15 Apr 2008 3:29 pm

Gilbert Hofer wrote:I've been around the world and back and still in love with this guitar as I know the history of this one. I think i'm going to that the bite and go for it.Even if it is more it is a good investment

Suggestion: Go up the owner and hand him $2,500, telling him that's all you can afford. Make sure he has the money in his hands.

Once he's holding the money, he's not going to want to give it back.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 15 Apr 2008 4:07 pm

If you have plans to spend that much money on a PSG --- then it would make much better sense to buy a new, or near new one!! You could buy a brand new Carter D10 for that much and it would be a better guitar, and set up the way you want it.

Gilbert Hofer · Post by **Gilbert Hofer** » 15 Apr 2008 4:25 pm

It comes with a wheeled case

Jack Shults · Post by **Jack Shults** » 15 Apr 2008 7:40 pm

My MSA Vintage XL didn't come with a triple raise and lower changer, but has one now.

You can't go wrong with an MSA that is in good shape and this one looks like it is in mint condition, however the seller is a little high on his asking price.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 15 Apr 2008 8:38 pm

I also say back away from this guitar. Are you considering it based on it's looks? It is one very pretty guitar but worth no where near what he is asking. You can always buy a lower priced guitar and print a picture of this one to hang on your wall if the looks are what you're basing your decision on.

Click on the links button at the top of the page and search some of the vendors listed. There are several great guitars for sale (that you don't see in the forum's buy and sell section)that are reasonably priced.

The decision is ultimately yours. If your willing to overpay for the guitar, then no one can persuade you otherwise. I just say look around a little more. At this price, you could look for months and this guitar will probably still be for sale.

Burnell Groft · Post by **Burnell Groft** » 17 Apr 2008 8:59 am

Gilbert...I would take the MSA,I had an Emmone LeGrand,played it for twenty years.I found an old MSA D10 9x6 Vintage XL and after playing it,I sold my Emmons. With the way most of the steel guitars today,the price,way over priced.Take the MSA,you will be happy with it.LOL

Eugene Cole · Post by **Eugene Cole** » 17 Apr 2008 10:24 am

Gilbert Hofer wrote:I've been around the world and back and still in love with this guitar as I know the history of this one. I think i'm going to that the bite and go for it.Even if it is more it is a good investment

Most of us have to considder whether we will be able to recover our expenses should we decide to purchase another guitar because we can not buy some without selling others. However what the current fair market street-price is is not the only considderation which matters. If a guitar feels right and sounds right; this too matters a great deal.

Scratches and chips in the finish, and oxidation on the shiny parts will not make the right instrument for you any less of an instrument. If you have found the guitar you want; then adopt it in to your family give it lots of loving.

Fellow Forumites can only call your attention to issues for you considder; none of us can completely know why a particular instrument may be the ideal instrument for someone we have never met.

I usually avoid buying instruments which are in immaculate condition. These instruments come at a premium price and will not remain immaculate forever. Howver if a great instrument happens to be in pristine condition sometimes we choose to pay the premium price in spite of the instruments condition.

I had a very pristine PSG which I "traded" to someone a few years ago. The long and the short of this story is that the guitar that I shipped came back to me 6 weeks later with cosmetic damage, and the guitar I traded it for never appeared. My point is that pristine and immaculate can disappear in an instant along with the premium street price.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 17 Apr 2008 11:18 am

$3100 is way too much for that guitar. There are many better new and /or used guitars that you can snag for those $$.

In fact, I just bought a used Zum D-10 9+5 for less, which has better resale value (and tone IMHO) than the MSA. I've seen quite a few Emmons, Derby, Mullen, Sho-Bud, Fessy and Williams guitars in the forum within that price range. Don't be seduced by the lacquer finish. Consider tone, resale and value before laying your cash down.

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