New Msa is Here Folks

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 16 Jun 2002 6:20 pm

They will be out of business within three years. Remember I said this.

Billy Poteet · Post by **Billy Poteet** » 17 Jun 2002 8:50 am

Quote from MSA web site
"There are those who simply want to experience the very best, and that is exactly what you will do when sitting behind an MSA Millennium"

The guitar looks interesting to me but at 6000, I had better be able to do more than
play on it. You can buy 3 good used ones for
that.

Billy P.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 17 Jun 2002 9:44 am

"They will be out of business within three years. Remember I said this."

It is true that the majority of start up business will falter during the first 5 years. It is not an easy task to by any means as start up costs and economic attrition are the main factor in any new business.

The MSA name has product recognition and hopefully this will be an asset in promoting the company. My dad used to say "Let the chips fall where they may" a simple statement but true.

I wish Mr. Andersen the very best in his business venture. [This message was edited by Len Amaral on 17 June 2002 at 03:00 PM.]

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 17 Jun 2002 10:24 am

Any Forumites ordering one?
Just curious.
~pete

Jan Dunn · Post by **Jan Dunn** » 17 Jun 2002 10:44 am

Assuming the tone is equal or "better" than a Carter D-10, maybe weight is the telling difference.

Carter 38 lbs vs. MSA 30 lbs Those extra 8 pounds of Carter figure out to a meager $ 412.50 per pound difference. You can buy a lot of dollies and casters for 3300 bucks. e

Still sitting behind one must make ya feel like a kid with his first Porshe...(and the next day ya feel like a kid making his first of many payments).

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 17 Jun 2002 12:00 pm

While free speech is a wonderful thing, I'm wondering why some folks feel it necessary to be so negative?

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 17 Jun 2002 12:07 pm

Please don't get me wrong, but have to get this of my chest:
If another manufacturer (or a new unknown one) came up with this kind of steelguitar, would the reactions be the same?
If not,are we judging the builder or the guitar?
Also, did Reece blew it for life for some people, or does he get a possitive chance to come up with new innovations on steelguitar?
I would love to try this guitar to form an opinion if it's all worth the money, no matter what brand..

Please guys, keep this a forum in peace and friendship. That is of a tremendous value!!!
JJ[This message was edited by Johan Jansen on 17 June 2002 at 01:09 PM.][This message was edited by Johan Jansen on 17 June 2002 at 01:23 PM.]

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 17 Jun 2002 1:00 pm

...what Len, Jim, & Johan said.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 17 Jun 2002 1:58 pm

I am considering the new MSA 12 string universal. I am waiting awhile to get some feedback on this new line.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 17 Jun 2002 2:39 pm

Nice looking Steel. I wish Reece great success.
tp[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 17 June 2002 at 03:42 PM.]

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 17 Jun 2002 3:00 pm

Hey Len (or MSA),
How many raises and lowers will there be on the Millenium S12U?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 17 Jun 2002 5:23 pm

Though it's hard to tell, the guitar appears to be a triple-raise/triple lower. Also, it looks like there may be screw adjustments on the lowering springs (that would be a nice touch). As far as prices, they haven't said anything at all about discounts yet. I've made some inquiries, and will pass on the info when I get it.[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 17 June 2002 at 06:25 PM.]

Post by **b0b** » 17 Jun 2002 6:05 pm

Johan wrote:

If another manufacturer (or a new unknown one) came up with this kind of steelguitar, would the reactions be the same?

I think mine would be, especially if it were priced at the high end of the market.

If not,are we judging the builder or the guitar?

We don't even know who is building the guitars! If Paul Franklin Sr., Duane Marrs or Jimmy Crawford were wielding the tools, we could have great confidence in the skill of the builder. We do know that the original MSA's #1 craftsman is not a part of the new company, though.

Also, did Reece blew it for life for some people, or does he get a possitive chance to come up with new innovations on steelguitar?

I would hope that the guitar will stand on its own merits. I really don't know much about what Reece's role is, other than spokesman, in the new MSA company. As far as I know, he is not an industrial designer.

An example here: A couple of years ago, I decided that I wanted a modern pedal steel with a crossover lever. I approached Bill Rudolph with the idea, and he invented the mechanism. The Williams 400X probably wouldn't have happened without my input, but I'm not really the one who "came up with the innovation."

Reece provided part of the "push" that made this new, innovative guitar a reality. He is providing marketing expertise, the logo and a familiar face for the new company. I don't think anyone can deny that Reece's name and the MSA logo are significant assets when it comes to marketing a new line of steel guitars.

I was trying hard not to be negative in my post above. It's just a lot easier for me to drool over an antique Emmons push-pull or a new Sierra Session, because they are known to be very high quality instruments.

There's a lot we don't know about these new MSA guitars. That's why I'm taking a "wait and see" (or hear) attitude.

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/coolb0b2.gif" border="0"> Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com 
-System Administrator

Kyle Bennett · Post by **Kyle Bennett** » 17 Jun 2002 8:30 pm

John - The choice of colors will be available on our website shortly. However, I listed them on page one of this topic.

Fred - Millennium has carbon fiber legs that are manufacture at our facility. They are not inverted microphone poles. However, Millennium is also available with chrome legs.

Pete - The Millennium S12 is triple raise/triple lower.

Donny - Millennium does have adjustable lowering springs.

Jim P. - I’m sure there are many people wondering the same thing.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 17 Jun 2002 9:42 pm

I though "Tupperwear" only came in clear.

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 17 Jun 2002 10:41 pm

Kyle Bennett · Post by **Kyle Bennett** » 18 Jun 2002 5:03 am

Bobbe S.
Believe it or not it does come in other colors. However, it's very important that you "Burp" the seal before you close it! Helps keep that tone fresh..

Kyle

Sage · Post by **Sage** » 18 Jun 2002 5:32 am

Congratulations to MSA for making the guitar a reality. It takes a lot of work to make it happen. I wish you well-
T. Sage Harmos
Harmos (carbon fiber) Steel Guitars http://www.harmosmusic.com

Billy Poteet · Post by **Billy Poteet** » 18 Jun 2002 5:33 am

Personally I Like the way the guitar Looks
and would love to own one if what they are
advertising is true. And anyone who knows Maurice knows he is one FINE man, my problem is that I will never be able to Justify the price. If that comes down I will probably give it a whirl. I don't think that Maurice would stick his neck out if what they are saying couldn't be backed up.

Billy P.

Eugene Cole · Post by **Eugene Cole** » 18 Jun 2002 7:35 am

Millennium is now available in 7 solid colors which are Vestal White, Royal Blue, Jade Mist Green, Vivid Red (my favorite), Claret (burgundy), Sable Brown and Super Jet Black (as shown on our website). Millennium is also available in clear which exposes the Carbon Twill Fibers. The Twill Fiber is available in Black/Gray (standard), Red/Black, Orange/Black, Blue/Black, Purple/Black and Green/Black. Millennium's clear topcoat finish is aircraft two-part epoxy. VERY DURABLE! 

I have been eagerly following the evolution of available information about the MSA Millennium for some time. But until today I had not given any thought to its appearance.

I am picturing a set of Purple/Black twill carbon fiber legs with the clear finish and a guitar body in Blue/Black twill with clear finish. Makes a pretty picture in my mind!

I like the idea of the “Quick-Lock pedal bar mounting.”

I like the improved location (easier to see) of the ball-end slots. Nice improvement. The old style ball end slots required putting the ball ends down in to a poorly lit cavity to attach the string.

Questions for Kyle Bennett:
1. What if anything keeps the thumbwheel type pedal rod length adjusters from going out of adjustment? It there a locknut or something similar?

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Regards
-- Eugene@FJ45.com

Kyle Bennett · Post by **Kyle Bennett** » 18 Jun 2002 8:09 am

Eugene,
The pedal rod length adjuster has built in friction. Easy to operate, but it won’t move until you move it! This device makes Millennium a very quick set-up. No more numbered pedal rods and no wing nuts.
Kyle

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 18 Jun 2002 8:31 am

This device makes Millennium a very quick set-up. No more numbered pedal rods

Are you implying that the player is expected to adjust his pedal height everytime he sets up the guitar? If so, this would significantly increase setup time.

On every pedal steel I've owned, I spent about 5-10 minutes adjusting the pedal heights, tightened the lock nuts, and forgot it. I haven't touched the pedal height adjustments on my 20+ year old Dekley in 20+ years!

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 18 Jun 2002 8:40 am

Kyle
I see nothing disadvantageous or low-tech about numbered pedal rods. By that I mean, we do sort our wrenches and drill bits by numbers, do we not?

I do have a problem with a guitar coming from a manufacturer with staggered pieces of duct tape on the pedal rods, however!

... but I think you've already decided against duct tape for the Millenium, huh?

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 18 Jun 2002 8:43 am

Jim,
From looking at the pics, I'll bet that all adjustments are made under the guitar. I would guess that once they are set, you just leave them alone.

A couple of questions..

Does the guitar come standard with compensators?
Does it come standard with split tuning?
Is the metal brushed aluminum or chrome?

Assuming you opt for a more traditional chrome legs and chromed crossbar, would it affect the price down or up?

BTW... Reece has invited me up to Dallas to check this puppy out. At the first available opportunity, I plan to do just that

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Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas