Millenium

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 19 Jun 2004 5:12 am

What has happened to the Millenium guitar ? It was a much awaited instrument and there were raves about it. I haven't seen one post regarding it in some time. Is it all everyone thought it would be ? How many are out there ? Who is playing one for their main axe ? As usual I have all questions and no answers....

Old Bud

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 19 Jun 2004 5:26 am

Ii 3 weeks I will be jamming on David Derantany's up on Cape Cod.
Looking forward to getting my hands on another one.

They are still being made of course, and I have been told the are selling well.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 19 June 2004 at 06:26 AM.]

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 19 Jun 2004 5:34 am

I think Tommy White was playing one.....
well for a little while anyhow.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 19 Jun 2004 5:52 am

Johnny Cox is playing one yet.

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1985 Emmons push-pull,S-10 Marlin,Evans SE200,Hilton pedal

john buffington · Post by **john buffington** » 19 Jun 2004 6:01 am

At the Memorial Day Tulsa show -
MSA was represented by Duane Dunard and Joan Cox, Johnny Cox and Junior Knight playing on stage - very, very impressive looking, great playing guitar and tone to the bone.
John Buffington

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 19 Jun 2004 9:14 am

I'm gettin curious myself..

Haven't seen one in Portland.

Maybe the Steel Guitar Magazine is planning a spread on them...

EJL

EJL[This message was edited by Eric West on 19 June 2004 at 10:16 AM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 19 Jun 2004 10:02 am

Smoothest most precice steel I have ever touched.
Not that the list is real long...
And sounds great.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 19 Jun 2004 6:29 pm

From what I've seen, Carter and ZumSteel are the most popular steels today, and they're both fine guitars. Just about every brand out there today is superior to the guitars of only 10-20 years ago.

As to the new MSA company, I don't think anything's happened! Far as I know, they're still quietly building those Millennium guitars. In my opinion, when they designed them, they knew they weren't designing a guitar for "everybody". Yes, they're expensive. But then again, so's a Mercedes or a Jaguar automobile.

As an owner of one of the first ones made, I like to think that the Millennium guitar was a rather successful sojourn into the land of "What if?". What if we could build a small, lightweight guitar that's as strong and stable as anything out there? What if we could design a guitar with a body that would never warp, split, or crack? What if we could design a guitar without those "body drop", and "axle/crossrod flex" problems? What if we could design a guitar that would not be affected by temperature changes? What if we could design a guitar with a finish that wouldn't fade, or wouldn't flake off if it got really wet? What if we could design a guitar whose metal parts wouldn't require constant polishing, and one whose undercarriage parts wouldn't wouldn't rust or corrode? What if we could design a guitar that would be totally consistent in sound and appearance, so that every one, not just a few, had great looks, tone, and sustain?

You see...that's what they did.

Yes, there's a few who might call it an "overpriced hunk of plastic". (I've heard some people talk the same way about Corvettes!) Let's face it, no guitar made will please every player, but this one pleases me. It sounds great, it looks great, it's built great, and it stays in tune like no other one on the planet! Sure, it costs more than most others, but that didn't bother me. (I'm not a player who trades his guitar in every few years.)

I say, play whatever brand you like. Y'all have your reasons, and I have mine. (Some of which are outlined, above.)

Also...because some have asked. No, I'm not now, nor have I ever been, paid or employed by MSA, and I didn't get a special price or discount on my guitar.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 19 Jun 2004 6:58 pm

I haven't seen a negitive comment since the company filed a million dollar lawsuit against someone who said he doesn't like them.

It could just be a coincidence.

There's been one for sale for a while at http://www.steelguitar.com/swapshop/swapshop.htm

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 19 Jun 2004 8:20 pm

Joey good answer ^5

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 20 Jun 2004 10:37 am

With all due respect Joey, I don't believe that the lawsuit has anything to do with something as trivial as someones personal opinion about a guitar.

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 20 Jun 2004 10:45 am

[This message was edited by Larry Robbins on 21 June 2004 at 01:13 PM.]

Bill Findlay · Post by **Bill Findlay** » 20 Jun 2004 11:16 am

I just received my MSA SD10 Millennuim....
It is a beautiful PSG , plays very smoothly, and has great sound..Mine is a Burgandy color.
It is expensive and has a long delivery , but I consider it worth it....

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 20 Jun 2004 11:22 am

I'm still very interested to see if it's really light weight enough to affordably fly on most airlines on a low budget touring level? I know that just about every other D-10 in a decent flight case costs too much in extra baggage charges to fly with frequently. [This message was edited by Rick Schmidt on 20 June 2004 at 12:24 PM.]

kbdrost · Post by **kbdrost** » 20 Jun 2004 11:32 am

I've got one of the first ones made. I have been thrilled with it since the moment I received it. The company has been great to work with and has implemented a number of upgrades for free, since I was sort of a guinea pig. This is one of several guitars I have, and what I like best about it is its light weight and the fact that it stays in perfect tune no matter where I take it, despite the huge temperature fluctuations that we have in Chicago.

I'm also good friends with (and a customer of) the guy their suing, so I take no sides in that dispute

I just know what I like. IMHO, there is nothing that beats the tone of an old Sho-Bud straight through a pot pedal to a blackface Fender Twin with JBL speakers. The next best thing (IMHO) is the Millennium through a Black Box and a Hilton pedal to a Nashville 1000. The latter rig weighs about 100 lbs. less than the former. It also costs about $4500 more.

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Ken Drost
steelcrazy after all these years

Jerry Clardy · Post by **Jerry Clardy** » 20 Jun 2004 2:52 pm

My Millennium: Beautiful, lightweight, excellent service, great buying experience, precision, custom, cutting edge technology unlike any other of the pedal steels I have or have had. The guitar is as nice in person as the ones shown on the MSA website. Modular pickups that can be changed in minutes. Engraved pedals with immediate rod-length adjustment built in. This guitar will spoil anyone. Great attention has been given to detail. David Wright is now playing one. Everyone deserves a guitar like this at least once in their lifetime. I like it.[This message was edited by Jerry Clardy on 20 June 2004 at 04:41 PM.]

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 20 Jun 2004 6:23 pm

I have been playing mine everyday for about 15 months. I have one of the first group of SU12's. I love it. I holds its tuning, The cabinet drop is almost zero, according to my ear and a Peterson tuner. I really like the ability to change pickups in an instant.
as far as I know they are building guitars everyday, with Johnny Cox and Junior Knight doing the assembly and setup. I am very happy with the sounds and tones. Great instrument.

Ron
Dallas

Recluse · Post by **Recluse** » 20 Jun 2004 7:03 pm

I received my Millenium Dec,02. and have had quite a while to weigh the purchase. Absolutely NO regrets. A fine instrument and a fine company to deal with.
As I said then ,"Sell your children."
Steve Bailey

Daniel Vorp · Post by **Daniel Vorp** » 21 Jun 2004 4:32 am

I received my Millennium last June. It has a TrueTone pickup installed. I use a Hilton pedal and play thru a Webb 6-14E amp. Not that I've played every steel guitar on the planet, but in my experience to date, I could not be happier. The clarity of tone, high end and bottom, and the sustain that lasts seemingly forever, have to be heard to be understood.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 21 Jun 2004 5:40 am

I have been playing Millennium since early 2003. I love the guitar. In fact I love it so much that I moved from Tn. to Texas to work for the company. The Millennium is still evolving as in the tradition of MSA. My wife Joan is also playing a new Millennium II and loves it.

Johnny Cox
(steel player)

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 21 Jun 2004 11:09 am

I have serial number 0009, a beautiful SD10 with a special pad made for me by the company. Marlin Blue is the color. It weighs out at 24 lbs., and I've been playing it since Feb of 03. It works 3-5 nights a week, every week, has never had even the slightest bit of trouble and is so reliable I'm gettin' scared. I have the first trutone pickup installed, and the tone is incredible through a Fender Twin Reverb with absolutely nothing in between but a Goodrich pedal. You want service, this is it, and besides all that I can lift the damned thing. How's that?

fred

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The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 21 Jun 2004 3:24 pm

I too play the new Millennium, and have since Sept, as many of you know I have worked and played M.S.A. for the first 20+ years of my playing. This guitar is Great!!! Words are cheap, you need to just sit down and play one. As you all know all steel players look for something different in a guitar, for me, it’s there for me…I proud to be back with M.S.A. and repping for them. So do your self a favor, if you get a chance sit down and just play one, it will sell it self…

One more thing, I think you comment Joey was completely uncalled for, as Jim said it has NO basics on a personal opinion of the guitar. I do believe you’re a Moderator, and your job is stopping it before it starts!! Not Start it!!!

Eric, I hope to be coming thought Portland in Aug, I will have one with me, I’ll be sure and look you and the rest of the Portland players up…. Let’s not wait for the spread.

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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.msapedalsteels.com">

</a>David's Web Page

M.S.A.

M.S.A. Millennium
S-12 9 & 6
Bb is where it's at!
Peavey-2000-PX-300



<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_20.gif' border=0></a>

Post by **Joey Ace** » 21 Jun 2004 4:00 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
"I think your comment Joey was completely uncalled for, as Jim said it has NO basics on a personal opinion of the guitar."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My comments were an observation as a Forum Member, not as a Moderator. I don't even moderate this section.

I stand by my observation.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
"I haven't seen a negitive comment since the company filed a million dollar lawsuit against someone who said he doesn't like them.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It could just be a coincidence."

I did not say what the law suite was about, I said nothing about the quality of the guitar.

I just said there has been no negitive posts since it was filed.

If I'm wrong please post the link to show me different and I'll retract my comment.

There were many positive comments, and a few less so positive, before the suit. Now there's only praise.

That's my observation, and a direct reply to the original question.

Peace.

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 21 Jun 2004 6:54 pm

Joey,

What do your remarks add to the topic? Certainly nothing informative. I don't know what you are talking about, so your comment is just, well, meaningless.

Good afternoon Mr. Moderator.

Ron

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 21 Jun 2004 7:21 pm

Well, I guess that pretty much does my curiosity in.

I don't like the tone of their advertising posse.

(Edited so as not to over amp overactive minds. I simply misspelled "Advertizing". Sheesh..)

Addendum:

I know of no other guitar whose owners, manufacturers, and/or their minions go through such pains to intimidate, browbeat, castigate, and otherwise excouriate people that express even the slightest negative opinions of these "modern innovative guitars".

Second would be Sierra IMHO, and they are out of business. I personally didn't like the way they were built, sounded, or much of anything about the company. The only one I ever heard that I liked in person was in a venue where thin sterile sound was what the gig called for.

Like Sho~Bud, Emmons, or others, they will either stand the test of time, or they'll be for sale used in ten years, at half of retail, like Sierras are.

Last time I checked, I could still get full retail out of my beat-to-shit, bush whipped, 26 year old ProIII.

And then some..

Not only won't I be selling it, when my Marrs 2000$ plus original cost Sho Bud Professional gets here next year, I'll probably still be doing my weekly gigs, every week, with my old PIII.

The end result is that I'm still nobody, no better than anybody else, and I like what, and who I like, without having to prove, anything to anybody.

Glad am I that I'm not one of those claiming the opposite.

That's pretty hard to prove.

EJL

[This message was edited by Eric West on 03 July 2004 at 10:56 AM.]