Age of My MSA Classic

Tim Clotworthy · Post by **Tim Clotworthy** » 23 Nov 2007 1:31 pm

Hello,

I have an MSA Classic, serial number: 1C2538. It has a off-white formica-ish woodgrain. I haven't played it in years and its in great shape, so I figured I'd try to sell it once I got an idea about when it was manufactured, what its worth, etc.

Any help is greatly appreciated on the dating of the instrument. I hope all of you are happy, healthy, and enjoying the start of the holiday season. Thanks, Tim

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 23 Nov 2007 7:02 pm

Tim, my MSA Classic S10 ser# 1C2013 was a 1974. My guess is 74-75. What pickup is in it?

Tim Clotworthy · Post by **Tim Clotworthy** » 24 Nov 2007 3:06 am

Bo, I really appreciate the response.I am not home this evening, but will check when I return tomorrow.

By the way, I never played the instrument much. In fact I never got proficient at steel, and I'm selling it to help pay for tuition for my wife returning to school.

A couple of questions if you don't mind:

1) How do I tell what kind of pickup is in it?
2) Is having 5 pedals unusual (someone asking about it on ebay was "puzzled" by the fact that it had 5 pedals)?
3) How do I tell what the "copedant" is (again, another question from a curious buyer)?

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 24 Nov 2007 4:44 am

Tim.. Many E9 MSA guitar in the 70's were shipped standard with 5 pedals on the E9 single neck models, not unusual at all.. No other company did this unless it was a custom order, so it confuses non MSA players...

As far as pickups, if you can see the small round magnets on top it is a standard MSA single coil unit.. Its either that or the MSA Supersustain humbucker pickup which should say supersustain on it, and will have 20 pinholes and no magnets showing.

I hope this helps.
In either case, your guitar will sell easily... MSA steels of this era were among the very best engineered steels of all time in the opinion of many... including me... they are certainly desirable guitars... bob

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 24 Nov 2007 4:50 am

Tim, the serial number notes that it is a S10 and most S10 pedal steels of the era came with 3 pedals and from 1-4 levers. Some MSA Classics came with 5 pedals.
If you still have the owners manual, the copedant should be listed there.. if not pm me your email & i will email you a pdf version. The copedant is the pedal/lever set up.
As to the pickup, either it is original or not. You probably would not be able to tell.

What Bob C said!

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 24 Nov 2007 5:47 am

Tim C....Your MSA serial number 1C2538 shows to be a white tidewood formica single 10 that left the factory with 5 pedals and 4 knee levers, which was the standard number of pedals and knee levers provided by MSA during that era.

The pulling system would be referred too as a double raise and double lower.

Your guitar was originally shipped to CMI who was our distributor at the time located in Chicago.

Records further indicate your guitar as being born on May 3rd 1974.

Tim Clotworthy · Post by **Tim Clotworthy** » 24 Nov 2007 9:15 am

Guys, thanks so much for the thorough and timely information. I wish I had learned to play this thing, but I look forward to it having a good home soon. Thanks again, and have a wonderful and peaceful holiday season. Tim

Paul Norman · Post by **Paul Norman** » 24 Nov 2007 1:59 pm

Somebody will get a good guitar. I have a Rosewood
like it. On the MSA website.
The pickup sounds so good every time I start to
change it to try another one I change me mind.

Jeff Savage · Post by **Jeff Savage** » 6 Feb 2008 4:21 am

I just bought an MSA Classic S10 yesterday and was looking at the serial number after reading this post and noticed that my MSA has a 3 digit serial number...IC267 is what's on this one...anyone know why, and also the age of it. One more question also...Can anyone tell me what the original pedal and knee lever setup was when it was shipped from the factory...this is the white formica MSA Classic S10 with 5 pedals and 4 knee levers...Thanks very much in advance...Jeff

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 6 Feb 2008 5:44 am

This is an old S-12 Classic, its the best sounding MSA I have ever owned, I had one of the later Laquer finish guitars & it did not have the sound this old baby has. there are a few extra parts in this one to make a couple of triple raises to do a good universal E9th/B6th tuning. I don't have the standard 3rd pedal, I use a lever for that. Third pedal is my BooWah pedal. I am kind of partial to the old type black mica used on this guitar. Good luck with the one you bought, it should be a great guitar, you could do some crazy things with 5&4 on there!!

Ernie

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 6 Feb 2008 5:46 am

I meant to mention that I moved the pedal one position to the left as you look at the picture, just thought I would mention that. The 1st or A pedal is right under the roller nut.

Ernie

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 6 Feb 2008 9:03 am

Jeff Savage wrote:I just bought an MSA Classic S10 yesterday and was looking at the serial number after reading this post and noticed that my MSA has a 3 digit serial number...IC267 is what's on this one...anyone know why, and also the age of it.

Jeff, a 3-digit number merely indicates it was built pretty early in the "Classic" model line. I'd guess yours to date from late December of '73, but Reece is the real authority.

Most guitars were shipped with the standard factory setup as indicated in the owner's manual (unless the buyer wanted a special setup).

Hugh Roche · Post by **Hugh Roche** » 10 Nov 2010 6:12 am

Is there a quick reference available to date a MSA steel guitar by serial Number? For example 2C4911.
Anyone?

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 12 Nov 2010 4:19 pm

Hugh R....... Serial, number 2C4911 is a white tidewood double 10 which left the factory with 8 pedals and 4 knee levers. It was originally shipped to our then distributor located in Chicago who would have sold it to a music store.

The specific date of manufacture was not entered into record, however they do indicate it as having been completed in September of 1975.

Richard Paul · Post by **Richard Paul** » 12 Nov 2010 9:45 pm

I just completly took mine apart, changer and all, was it durty, SN.1C6573, some one at sometime had used the wrong size screw drivers on it. Will replace the screws some day. Reese you told me a few years ago when it was born, but cannot find the paper. Would you look it up again. MSA's are sure easy to clean. And weel built. I can see why you never see many up for resale, people just like them.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 12 Nov 2010 9:55 pm

M- Magnificent
S- Spectacular
A- Awe inspiring.

Chuck Martin · Post by **Chuck Martin** » 14 Nov 2010 5:07 pm

Hi Reece, I just purchased an MSA Classic SS serial #2C6436. Can you tell me what information you have on this guitar? Thanks for your help. Chuck

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 14 Nov 2010 7:07 pm

Chuck.....Serial number 2C 6436 shows to be an emerald green double 10 SS which left the factory with 8 and 4. It was originally shipped to Carl's Music location unknown. The date of completion was not entered into record.

Thank you for playing an MSA.

Chuck Martin · Post by **Chuck Martin** » 14 Nov 2010 7:46 pm

Thanks for your quick reply Reece. I looked up Carl's Music which is in Lexington, Kentucky. This was a trade-in that I recently purchased from Herby Wallace. I wanted to post a picture to show how much the color faded over the years. Overall, the guitar is in really nice condition for being 30+ years old. In person, it has more of a light brown look.

George McLellan · Post by **George McLellan** » 15 Nov 2010 3:23 am

My MSA Clasic S10 4x5 serial # 1C2196 was stolen on January 2, 1984.

If anyone runs accross it, I'd still like to get it back.

Geo

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 15 Nov 2010 6:02 am

Chuck....Thank you for posting the picture. I have the exact twin to your guitar.
The emerald green fades because of ultra violet rays. I sill get compliments on the color, although as you say, it turns a light brown.

That little guitar will serve you well, and should you ever wish to sell it, let me know.

Thank you for playing an MSA.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 16 Nov 2010 12:57 pm

Reece, I just traded a Marlen for an MSA S-12 which was originally green but has faded to a light brown on the front just like your's did. This is one fine guitar and sturdy as a Sherman Tank. This very well could become my number one instrument in the near future. I'm still thinking about exactly what setup to put on it.....JH in Va.

John H. McGlothlin · Post by **John H. McGlothlin** » 7 Feb 2011 7:35 am

HOWDY FOLKS HOWDY. I have an MSA Classic D10 from about the mid seventies and the guitar plays excellent. I bought it second handed and there has been a few minor things that I repaired on it. On the E9 changer there is a part that has worked loose but it seems to not have a serious affect on the tuning. Here is a picture with an arrow pointing to the part that is loose, it is just that one small part of the changer that is loose. Would I need to remove all the pull rods to get to the area to tighten this down or is it not a critical enough thing to worry about? Thanks for any advice. YA'LL COME BACK NOW YA HEAR.

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 8 Feb 2011 5:21 am

John,
you should be able to check these screws ..they hold the changer head in...no rods need to be removed..

John H. McGlothlin · Post by **John H. McGlothlin** » 8 Feb 2011 6:50 am

I certainly thank you very much David for your help. This guitar has a real clean and smooth sound to it and I'm proud to own it.

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