The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic MSA Classic Questions
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  MSA Classic Questions
Sam Hanke

 

From:
Victoria, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 4 Jan 2012 9:32 pm    
Reply with quote

Friend of a friend has a MSA Classic that he never took the time to learn to play. He said if I wanted it, he would sale it to me for $400. From what I have seen from past Classic's, that seems like a very fair deal.
I have not had the chance to go to his house and check it out, but he sent me some pictures for the time being, so I can do a little research on it.
Right now, from the pictures it seems to only have the 2 right knees. Not sure if it came from the factory like this or if the knees were removed later. There doesn't look like there is a lot of hardware on the underside for the other knees.

Any advice or suggestion? Is it worth messing with? I don't know much about MSA, but would it be difficult and/or pricey if I wanted to add the left knees in the future? I am still new to steel and have been using a Maverick for about 3 months and just got on the list for a Stage One, so that will have the 4 knees. If this is a decent buy, I wouldn't mind getting it, just to have something else around the house to play around on.

Serial Number is 1C1096










Last edited by Sam Hanke on 5 Jan 2012 7:21 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2012 4:11 am    
Reply with quote

They shipped 3&2, according to the owners manual PDF I have.
It looks in reasonable shape so far, as long as it wasn't lubed with WD40.
Three Forumites sell the parts you'd need assuming you wanted to add the other knees: Jim Palenscar, Michael Yahl and Bradshaw (but he's in Africa now). I'd add all three, myself. Cost around another 4, but you wouldn't have to do them all at once. And they're easy to do yourself.
I'd get it.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

Bill Ford


From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2012 7:12 am    
Reply with quote

$400..I would get it, adding more KLs not a big job. Looks like all it needs is a good cleaning, no signs of hacking, or mods.

Bill
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2012 7:30 am    
Reply with quote

Agreed. I just remembered a convo with Michael Yahl the other day: There's rodding charts somewhere, probably on this site, that should make adding two or even all three a snap.
Despite having round shafts (this means having to slide out a shaft to add cranks, modern guitars use square shafts), the MSA is pretty easy to work on: the friendliest of the four I've owned.

EDIT: after looking at the sale forum, I'll agree on the screaming deal.
400 for the steel +
400 for three knees=
1200 steel guitar.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects


Last edited by Lane Gray on 5 Jan 2012 7:51 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

Ross Shafer


From:
Petaluma, California
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2012 7:35 am    
Reply with quote

screamin' deal! Every once in while knee kits come up on Ebay too.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2012 9:47 am    
Reply with quote

Good buy. It's an old one though and it won't do anything the Stage One won't do.

You can add 2 more knees and have them do the same as the Stage One you're getting for a spare guitar. You could add a vertical also.

....or you could buy it and flip it at a later date to make a few bucks. Professional models like this are way better than the Sidekick and Red Baron that sell for way more than 400 most of the time....Maverick included.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ransom Beers

 

Post  Posted 5 Jan 2012 9:59 am    
Reply with quote

Yeah but you eat the "Red Baron".
View user's profile Send private message

Sam Hanke

 

From:
Victoria, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2012 1:03 pm    
Reply with quote

Thank y'all for the advice.
I plan on checking it out this weekend and if there are no major issues with it, I will get it and give it a good cleaning and fixing it up in my spare time.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Ernie Pollock

 

From:
Mt Savage, Md USA
Post  Posted 9 Jan 2012 10:58 am     Msa
Reply with quote

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OF MSA, NOT ALL OF THEM CAME WITH 3 Pedals & 4 levers, some only came with 2 or three back in the day. They are a decent steel for the money, you might find a couple of lever on this forum, you won't have too much trouble putting them on. I a still play a 72 S-12 with 7 &6 levers, one of those is a homemade lever. my old black classic plays as good as ever & I use it daily & for playing out every week.

Ernie Pollock [301-264-4172 ] not on the net at this time
View user's profile Send private message

Nicholas Ackron

 

From:
Daytona Beach
Post  Posted 13 Jan 2012 5:26 pm    
Reply with quote

Great deal!!!!!!! Take it!!!!!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bill Ford


From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
Post  Posted 13 Jan 2012 5:57 pm    
Reply with quote

Just curious,,,,What's the orange/red thingy at the first pedal??? Bill
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Sam Hanke

 

From:
Victoria, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 13 Jan 2012 7:20 pm    
Reply with quote

That was actually a regular guitar pick holder that he had on he front of it for some reason. I picked it up last week and gave it a good cleaning. I turned out be be a really nice guitar.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 14 Jan 2012 2:16 am    
Reply with quote

Sam, if you decide to add the left knees, I'd recommend getting the freestanding brackets for the LKL. The stock rear rail mounting scheme takes three crossrod slots out of commission, including the most convenient one to hang a vertical from.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP