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Author Topic:  WTB Pick-up
Michael Gentry


From:
Rock Island, Illinois
Post  Posted 9 Jan 2014 8:53 pm    
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Hello, I'm looking for a used single coil pick-up. Hopefully one that came out of the early seventies MSA classic series.

Mine has way too much noise. It must be bad. Thought I had it fixed when I re-soldered the connections, with no strings on the guitar it was quiet. Now that I put strings back on its back to noise city.

hoping to find something used. Money is a little tight.

thanks!

Michael
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MSA Semi-Classic
Nashville Pro Steel
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 10 Jan 2014 11:50 pm    
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Try running a wire from the sleeve of the jack to one of the 4 screws that hold the pillow blocks (the 4 big screws at the corners of the big cutout for the changer).
That way the strings are grounded.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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David Nugent

 

From:
Gum Spring, Va.
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2014 4:18 am    
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Michael...If the strings are too close to the pickup, this may be adding to the problem that you mentioned. Check the spacing between the pickup and the strings, normal gap should be the width of two $.25 cent coins...FYI:Before purchasing a replacement pickup you may want to measure the neck cavity on the guitar. The opening on early MSA guitars were too narrow to accept even a 'narrow mount' pickup.
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Michael Gentry


From:
Rock Island, Illinois
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2014 10:56 pm    
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Thanks fellows, I'll try both of those tips...
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MSA Semi-Classic
Nashville Pro Steel
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Michael Gentry


From:
Rock Island, Illinois
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2014 11:34 pm    
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Ok, I made sure on the distance, two quarter dollar stacked from pick-up to string. I also tried connecting the sleeve of the output jack to the changer.

to no avail...

The distance between the neck and changer where the pick-up sits is 1.25 inchs...

Some day this Semi-Classic will make somebody a great guitar...lol, I'm getting there.

On a side note, the forum has a lot to offer. The search function is a great thing...
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MSA Semi-Classic
Nashville Pro Steel
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2014 5:27 am    
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Describe the kinds of noise: pops? hum?
If you have one of the MSAs with the small pickups and small cutouts, then replacement would mean taking a router to it. But this isn't a 54 Broadcaster, a competent job wouldn't harm the value.
Or if the pickup is bad, I bet Jerry Wallace (you said you know how to use a search, he's in Artesia NM) could rewind it for less than the cost of a new one (hell, probably less than the cost of a used E66 on the forum). Rewinding a Bud with a tap was 52 with shipping. I think it's less without a tap (personally I LIKE going from modern heavy to 60s twang with the flip of a switch)
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Michael Gentry


From:
Rock Island, Illinois
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2014 7:48 am    
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The noise is like is kind of what you might expect from a single coil only its times 5.

I did find that fellow who rewinds pickups. That's a great price. I'll give that a try when money allows.
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MSA Semi-Classic
Nashville Pro Steel
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Michael Gentry


From:
Rock Island, Illinois
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2014 11:09 am    
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I've just learned that this pickup was taken out of the guitar and then re-installed by the previous owner who sold it to me. It seems as though he had a problem with it and was looking for a replacement but never found one. Found that out by searching on the forum.

I'm wondering if the wires are hooked up correctly.

Would having the ground and hot wired backwards to the jack make this problem? Would the pickup even work at all wired backwards?
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MSA Semi-Classic
Nashville Pro Steel
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2014 12:38 pm    
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That'd have no effect. Put an ohmmeter across the pickup, it should have at least 15KOhms resistance.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Michael Gentry


From:
Rock Island, Illinois
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2014 1:55 pm    
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Awwww! thank you Lane.
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MSA Semi-Classic
Nashville Pro Steel
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