My New MSA Millenium

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 8 Oct 2002 12:38 pm

I received my new MSA Millenium early Monday morning. Not only is it prestigious and drop dead beautiful, it sounds incredible. After playing it for 20 minutes and realizing the instrument was perfect, I took it to rehearse for a show at the Opry House. I rehearsed with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra for 7 hours for a 4 hour show. The guitar performed flawlessly for 11 hours straight, right out of the case and as I said, sounded incredible. All the new features the new Millenium offers really helped keep me focused, which makes playing more enjoyable. Wow, what a guitar. As I said in another post, Reece, Kyle and the team have absolutely outdone themselves.
My best,
TW

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 8 Oct 2002 12:45 pm

Hmmm, so maybe that big price isn't so ridiculous after all...?

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 8 Oct 2002 2:37 pm

Can there be any better endorsement?

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CJC

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 8 Oct 2002 3:14 pm

Pictures, Tommy??

Please!

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Rebel™
ICQ 614585

http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/steel.html

Jeff A. Smith · Post by **Jeff A. Smith** » 8 Oct 2002 4:04 pm

I thought it was very exciting that Reece was courageous enough to move in a dramatically different technological direction, and not compromise (so it appears anyway) to make the guitar more "marketable." That kind of spirit, to me, always deserves admiration.

Now to have a top flight player validate this new direction is really inspiring. Thanks Tommy, for taking the time to tell us all what you think!

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 8 Oct 2002 5:27 pm

I didn't expect any thing Less from Reece.
He is first class in every way..al

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 8 Oct 2002 6:06 pm

Me happy.

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 8 Oct 2002 6:14 pm

"Drop Dead Beautiful"!!! Just has to be the proper description of TW's new Millennium. I have to be candid and tell you I saw the MSA team putting this axe together and that TW's statement is an excellent manner in which to describe the instrument.

The care and precise measurements that were being made were very precise and made meticulously. However, I saw another guitar being put together and the same care of assembly were being exercised on that instrument also.

You'll need sun glasses to watch TW in action on this guitar. Tommy I'll let you tell everyone what color it is but let me tell you folks it will stand out on the stage. A "Killer Guitar" for a "KILLER PLAYER".

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The spirit be with you!!

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 8 Oct 2002 6:57 pm

Congrats on your new guitar Tommy!

Does this mean we will get to see it on the Opry this Saturday?

I just noticed that the new MSA web site has pictures of Tommy and several other players and owners, apparently taken in the MSA suite at St. Louis. It announces Pee Wee Whitewing as "one of the newest owners of a Millennium S12" and "Phyllis and Larry Tresnicky - the proud owners of two new MSA Millennium D10’s": http://www.msapedalsteels.com/html/msa_family.html

Fred, I'm curious about part of your post:

The care and precise measurements that were being made were very precise and made meticulously. However, I saw another guitar being put together and the same care of assembly were being exercised on that instrument also.

Can you explain this? I thought I read that the mounting holes are pre-formed in the precision carbon fiber molds, and that the aluminum parts are machined on computer controlled equipment.

As a former pedal steel guitar builder, I'm curious what "precise measurements" are required when assembling a pre-molded and drilled guitar?

Back in the old days at Dekley, before computer controlled equipment, we had jigs and fixtures to control hole placements within acceptable tolerances of .005". The only "precise measurements" we made when assembling guitars, other than clamping parts together before fastening, was in gluing the fretboards in place.

Kyle Bennett · Post by **Kyle Bennett** » 8 Oct 2002 7:09 pm

Jim,
Fred is referring to gaged, Nitonic rollers on the bridge. Each Millennium has gaged rollers that are hand polished and measured by hand on a precision jewelers lathe.
Kyle / MSA

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 8 Oct 2002 7:17 pm

Jim S. '
Certainly, I'll try to explain. I was privileged to spend about 3 hours in the company of Kyle and Sonny while they were putting TW's guitar together and the placement of the pull rods were being measured as to the amount of play that was involved and if you're familiar with the pedal rod adjustments on the new MSA you know that the adjustment there is pretty critical to the player and each one of the measurements taken were compared to the other. Bear in mind also, Jim, I'm not a builder but I've witnessed other shops (that I certainly won't mention) where this type care is not taken during the assembly. I was very impressed with the workmanship and you're close enough to take a trip over there and see for yourself. Right?

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The spirit be with you!!

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 8 Oct 2002 7:31 pm

Thanks Kyle and Fred.

Fred, we just used a small piece of bent aluminum under the free play stops to set the same amount of free play in each pedal and knee lever.

Kyle, since the MSA rollers are measured by hand, what happens if/when a player decides to change string gauges?

I gauged the rollers on my Dekley by trial and error with a jeweler's file and a drill press.

BTW, a simple trigonometric formula would allow you to calculate the precise depth of each roller based on the angle of the cut and diameter of the string.

Post by **b0b** » 9 Oct 2002 5:35 am

Forum glitch happened. Sorry about that.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 9 Oct 2002 7:36 am

You cannot halt the progression of technology,__and who would want to anyway? Some of the old guitars are grand instruments and some sound wonderful; but the steel guitar is still evolving and the new MSA is a giant leap, as I knew it would be.

It will be my next guitar too.

Rick

Jerry Brightman · Post by **Jerry Brightman** » 9 Oct 2002 9:29 am

I'm gonna stick my neck out here and go on record as saying, if Tommy hasn't played it, it's just because he hadn't thought of it at the time...This world class player has so many abilities as a player of this instrument...and will further this instrument in massive proportions...

I'm a nobody, and this is just my opinion of course..but there, I've said it!

Jerry http://www.slidestation.com

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 9 Oct 2002 2:29 pm

I also had the opportunity to tour the MSA factory two weeks ago. What a wonderful facility, Micro Space Instruments. I spent the better part of the day with Reece, Kyle & Sonny. These gentlemen treated me like a king. I also saw Tommy's guitar in the early stages, and let me say that I was very impressed with the way these new guitars are put together. I am anxious to see the completed version at the Opry Friday night.

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Johnny Cox
So many steels, so little time.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 11 Oct 2002 1:33 am

Tommy, what pickup did you put in the guitar? Did you try out several and choose the one you like best? Or do you have a few different ones for different sounds?

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 11 Oct 2002 5:11 am

I'm a nobody

no Jerry- I'm a "nobody";

you are a former occupant of the steel chair of the legendary Buckaroos.
...there, I've said it!

[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 11 October 2002 at 06:12 AM.]

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 11 Oct 2002 6:41 am

Jerry,
Thank you, and yes you are somebody, just as DVA said.
Mike P,
I chose the George L TW's for my Millenium, but I can honestly say, the guitar has such sustain, clarity and width in tone, I would bet just about any pickup will sound good in it.
TW

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 11 Oct 2002 6:49 am

Jeff S....I most sincerely appreciate your very flattering comment!

Al M....Thank you dear friend for the kind words!

Fred S....We appreciate your visiting the MSA facility and your positive comments. We at MSA are proud to have you as a new member of "Team Millennium"!

Jim S....Thank you for your reference to our web site!

Rick C....You're absolutely correct in that the progression of technology cannot be stopped. As a result, the pedal steel guitar has now entered a new and exciting era in design, materials, technology, and precision. I believe many will be surprised and amazed at what the near future holds.

Johnny C....It was a pleasure to have you visit my home and the MSA factory. We look forward to seeing you again in the near future.

Eddie Malray · Post by **Eddie Malray** » 11 Oct 2002 8:21 am

Probably be a lot of Carters for sale after this post.

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 11 Oct 2002 10:57 am

OUCH,.....

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 11 Oct 2002 11:06 am

I'm in Texas 'til this weekend - how do I get in touch with the MSA folks?

I'd love to see one of these guitars up close....

Dave Horner · Post by **Dave Horner** » 11 Oct 2002 1:16 pm

Roger,

Send me an email indicating how you can be reached in Dallas. We'll see if there is a time convenient for you.
Thanks,

Dave
[This message was edited by Dave Horner on 11 October 2002 at 02:17 PM.]

Craig Allen · Post by **Craig Allen** » 12 Oct 2002 7:16 am

OK guy,s, I HAVE been in a vacuum!!!
I am back driving a truck over the road, and have been out of touch for about 6 months. I didn't know anything about this "new" guitar.
So would someone PLEEEEEZZZZZZZZ enlighten me.

As I'm sure most of you know I am an MSA snob so to be so un-informed is embarrassing. Help me out here guys, pleezzzzzz..!!!!!

Thanx
Craig Allen