MCI Range Expander vs MSA Classic D10

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 27 Feb 2016 10:17 am

I love MSA's but only the lacquered bodies. The mica bodies just don't have the tone and sustain, IMHO. That being said...MCI's are amazing and have just about the best tone of any vintage guitars made and they are easy to make changes on. As Billy Carr stated, the only problem is the Barcus Berry pickups. They are good for refrigerator magnets but not much else!

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 27 Feb 2016 1:26 pm

David, that's an outright lie. I have a pair of BBs here which came off a prehistoric GFI, and they won't even stick to the fridge. I don't know how these rumors get started.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 27 Feb 2016 2:09 pm

keep the mci and try it first with the bbs. i heard some that sound fine.

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 27 Feb 2016 2:34 pm

Interesting. The ones I've encountered were pretty nasty.

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 27 Feb 2016 2:48 pm

David, that's an outright lie. I have a pair of BBs here which came off a prehistoric GFI, and they won't even stick to the fridge. I don't know how these rumors get started.

Ken, that's how faulty some of them are I guess! Won't even work for their intended purpose.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 28 Feb 2016 4:13 pm

I still own my 1986 MCI Rangexpander, albiet with a few more knees, and it was my main guitar for about 15 years before I got my first Zum - they are outstanding, very durable and lightweight and play so easily.
The only suggestion I would make would be to upgrade the old Barcus Berry pickups. BL710's or George L E66's go well on them.

I am currently refurbishing my MCI for it's upcoming 30th birthday party hehe....

Rich Upright · Post by **Rich Upright** » 28 Feb 2016 9:05 pm

Well; I have never owned an MCI; played one once; very bright sounding. My MSA D-10 was HANDS DOWN the best sounding steel I have ever HEARD anywhere,sustain for days, and about twice the output of my LeGrande D-10. & that includes my old D-10 Bolt on. But yes; it weighed about as much as a neutron star & I sold it when I was facing open heart surgery & thought I wouldn't be able to lift it. I would give anything to have it back, as I'm much stronger now with my new cow valve beating in my chest. I think the weight had something to do with the tone.

I would get the MSA, providing the guy is willing to switch it from Day to Emmons. I wouldn't even think twice. I would take an MSA laquer before anything, and would swap either of my steels to have my old one back.

Ed Boyd · Post by **Ed Boyd** » 29 Feb 2016 12:40 pm

I think I am pulling the trigger on the MSA. The guy selling the MCI is not a player. I think his pricing "research" comprises of looking up retail asking prices on the internet. I don't feel like wasting either of our times.

I have call into Rick on the MSA. Part of me is thinking about picking up a starter steel just because it would be easier to carry back and forth from lessons but I want a C6 neck. I play C6 lap. I like swing and I like the deeper tone of the C6.

Ron Pruter · Post by **Ron Pruter** » 29 Feb 2016 6:49 pm

Ed, Get the MCI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 1 Mar 2016 3:51 pm

I think the MCI is overpriced and also the shipping.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 1 Mar 2016 5:41 pm

I would suggest that 1599 was way over the top for an old MSA D10 ... thats probably the weight he's referring too hehe ! Not great guitars at any price.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 1 Mar 2016 6:52 pm

The MCI has slotted pullers, and that would rule it out, for me. (I just don't like any guitar with slotted pullers.) I've heard some Barcus-Berry pickups that were decent, and some that were not. As far as good tone and sustain, I feel the MCI would have better tone and sustain on the high end, and the MSA would have better tone and sustain on the low end.

Rich Upright · Post by **Rich Upright** » 4 Mar 2016 10:08 am

If you send me a PM with your email address, I will send you a link of the only video I have of me playing my MSA D-10 Classic, and you can see for yourself the incredible tone that this awesome guitar had, guaranteed like nothing you've ever heard. Wasn't able to post the link here.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 4 Mar 2016 10:13 am

I hate to admit it, but my extended E9th S12 MSA actually has a tonal edge over my Zum. I gigged it last Saturday

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 4 Mar 2016 11:01 am

Lane, I'm afraid that now you've really poked a bear in the ass!

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 4 Mar 2016 11:38 am

I remember someone had posted a recording of a few different guitars, MSA Classic, 66 Emmons, and some others, big majority chose the best sounding part in the song to be an 66 Emmons, I did as well, however, it turned out it was an old MSA Classic (white mica) after that, I will never look at MSA the same way ... that guitar had an amazing tone...

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 4 Mar 2016 12:39 pm

Donny, I'll try to compare the two on video. I prefer my Zum for a variety of reasons, but the MSA with Hoffnar pickup sounds awesome.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 5 Mar 2016 6:00 pm

damir..maybe that white msa had a really good year of fiberboard...or pakawood.....or whatever that
reconstituted sawdust was!

lane, you don't have to defend your zum to donny....he hates zums. they have slotted pullers.
at least the best sounding ones do. the era of the 80's. best sounding steels ever. but he won't allow slotted bellcranks, which are also the easiest to switch around in the universe.
i guess he hates jchs also. weren't they the same?