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Topic: MSA...........Celebrating our 40th Anniversary! |
Reece Anderson
From:
Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 14 Jul 2003 7:41 pm |
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This summer the MSA name is proudly celebrating its 40th anniversary. I’m continually asked to explain how the original MSA was formed and how it got its name, and I’m delighted to once again share a brief version of the story.
In the early 1960’s Tom Morrell and Danny Shields were building a guitar they called the Morrell/Shields Custom. Tom (whom I had known previously) contacted me and asked if I would be interested in becoming a partner with them in the steel guitar manufacturing business, and after numerous conversations between the three of us we mutually agreed. After doing so, the three of us made all necessary filings with the State Of Texas in our individual names and formed a partnership.
The naming of the company was actually very logical. Since Morrell and Shields had previously owned the Morrell/Shields Custom (MS), we simply applied my last name initial and it became MSA. (Morrell/Shields/Anderson) As most of you know, the new MSA formed in 2001 stands for Mirco Space Anderson.
MSA will be continuing its celebration at the International Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis the end of August and we cordially invite friends, MSA family members and prospective friends to our booth and our suite to join the celebration and get in the cockpit of the new Millennium.
All of us at MSA greatly appreciate the positive support we have received over the past four decades!
[This message was edited by Reece Anderson on 15 July 2003 at 04:19 AM.] |
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Sidney Malone
From:
Buna, TX
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Posted 14 Jul 2003 8:38 pm
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Congratulations Reece on the 40th anniversary of MSA. The current MSA team is a first class organization as I'm sure the previous one was also.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, that I believe MSA has developed the most technologically advanced steel guitar ever produced and has raised the bar of excellence to new heights!!
Thank you MSA for once again taking the steel guitar into the future!!
Reece, your contributions to the steel guitar have far outnumbered any rewards you could ever recieve in this life. Thank you for dedicating a majority of your life to this instrument and sharing the knowledge you have gained so freely!! |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 14 Jul 2003 9:38 pm
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| Congratulations, Maurice on this tremendous achievement. May the next 40 serve you well. Jody. |
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Reece Anderson
From:
Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Jul 2003 3:24 am
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| Al M....Thank you for informing me of the error which has now been corrected. |
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Junior Knight
From:
Eustace Texas..paddle faster..I hear Banjos...
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Posted 15 Jul 2003 7:24 am
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Congrats on 40 yrs!Hope to say that in another 40!!! Junior .
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Bb is where it's at!
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2003 7:36 am
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I visited Microspace a few weeks ago and spent quite a bit of time with Kyle and Sonny Bennett. With my engineering and guitar building background, I have to say I am very impressed with their facilities and dedication to building the very best instrument possible.
They are using the very latest technology and materials to build the most precise and modern pedal steel guitar ever. Sure they're expensive, but with their innovations and quality of workmanship, they're worth every penny.  Too bad they don't build a D-12!  |
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David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
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Posted 15 Jul 2003 8:50 am
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I to would like to say Congratulations to Maurice and all the people at M.S.A. I am very proud that I was a part of this great Steel Guitar company may the next 40 years be just as Great !!!!
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DavidWright.us
Sierra Guitars
Sierra S-12 9&7
Peavey-2000-PX-300
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Dave Grothusen
From:
Scott City, Ks
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Posted 15 Jul 2003 10:19 am
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Reece I will have to say that the reason for the 40 years is beacuse you are such a friend and teacher to the industy. A master of the instument and a inspiration to us all. Quality has been formost. Sounds like a plan.
Thanks
Your friend |
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2003 1:17 pm
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Okay, now I'm really confused. I thought that the new MSA was a new company, totally separate from the old one which closed its doors two decades ago.
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 Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax |
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Richard Gonzales
From:
Davidson, NC USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2003 5:22 pm
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Congratulations Reece for upholding the MSA name in the highest esteem for 40 years!! MSA has now designed and produce the Millennium steel guitar for players that command the best. The Millennium met and surpassed all of my expectations.
Another great 40 years for Reece and MSA !!
[This message was edited by Richard Gonzales on 15 July 2003 at 06:24 PM.] [This message was edited by Richard Gonzales on 15 July 2003 at 06:55 PM.] |
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Dave Horner
From:
Heath, Texas, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2003 6:23 pm
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Bobby Lee,
I’m not sure whether you intended your post as humorous, or if you are indeed confused. If the latter, perhaps the following will be helpful to your understanding.
The “new” MSA company is approximately one year old and is a totally distinct legal entity from the “old” MSA company that discontinued business some 20 years or so ago. The MSA name, which formerly referred to Morrell, Shields and Anderson, now refers to MicroSpace and Anderson. As was stated in Reece’s post, the MSA name is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The MSA name in the past stood for many positive aspects including innovation, quality, consistently outstanding products, and excellent service. The “new” MSA organization comprises many of the principals that comprised the former company and the MSA name today stands for those same positive aspects.
While the entities are completely different, legally separate and distinct, those of us at MSA are, nonetheless, aware of the expectations placed upon the new company by those knowledgeable steel guitar players who are mindful of the history and development of steel guitar and who ascribe to the new company a positive heritage from the former company.
Thus, it is the MSA name that is inextricably interwoven into the proud history of the steel guitar, which is being celebrated.
If the foregoing does not serve to diminish your expressed confusion, feel free to contact us directly for further clarification.
Dave Horner
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2003 8:48 pm
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Thanks for clarifying. I saw "Celebrating our 40th Anniversary" in the title, and thought it refered to the company. I should have read Reese's post more carefully.
Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.
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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax |
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Gary Walker
From:
Morro Bay, CA
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Posted 15 Jul 2003 9:20 pm
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| Jim, I also agree about the D-12 not being in the lineup. As a past MSA D-12 owner I would be interested but as Reece told me last year, there's such a small market for them and the startup cost would be a long time on the payback, maybe never. |
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Reece Anderson
From:
Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 19 Jul 2003 7:03 am
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Gary W....& Jim S....We at MSA appreciate your understanding of our business decision relative to the double 12 and low market demand.
Should the market change, you may be sure MSA will change accordingly. |
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Johnny Cox
From:
Williamsom WVA, raised in Nashville TN, Lives in Hallettsville Texas
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Posted 22 Jul 2003 8:53 am
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Reece, I will also add my congrats to you for 40 years of excellance. The MSA name has always meant quality to me. I am very honored to be a small part of the MSA team and hope to say happy 50th in ten years.
Your friend, Johnny Cox |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 22 Jul 2003 9:43 am
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Congratulations to Reece and his MSA family on the 'Marque" MSA building high quality steels for 40 years now; most of my life.
When I was looking to get a slide guitar with more than 6 strings last January, I wandered across the MSA site and was just blown away by the machine I saw...
Just a fantastic technological body of work embodied in a musical instrument.
I hope to get to St Louis, and one of the things high on my list is to meet Reece and get my hands on one of those beautiful instruments... just long enough to embarass myself... and then a few more minutes after that |
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Jerry Brightman
From:
Ohio
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Posted 22 Jul 2003 10:05 am
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Reece,
My congratulations to you and the MSA team as well...Most everything has been well covered in the above posts, except, I am proud to say we have been friends since the early 70's...and as Johnny said, I hope to be here to wish you a 50th and 60th...
Best regards,
Jerry
http://www.slidestation.com
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