How many old MSA Guitar still around?

Doug Ferguson · Post by **Doug Ferguson** » 8 Jul 2004 8:23 am

I bought an MSA Classic D12 9-5 several years ago, (my second steel, and probably my last) walnut, gorgeous, and heavy. Weighs around 90 lbs in the case. The first thing I realized was how well it stays in tune, once new strings are settled in. My first steel was a Sho Bud Maverick and it went out of tune during each set of a gig. The changer mechanism on the maverick looked like coat hangers that had been hit by a lawn mower and somehow ended up stuck on the bottom of the steel. I don't mean to poke fun at Sho Bud, as I know their pro models are beautiful and well built. The mechanism on the MSA is pristine, and smooth, and well, just MSA all the way! It sounds stunning through my Session 500. It is built so well, I know it will outlast me!

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 8 Jul 2004 2:01 pm

I've had 2 Sho-Buds, a ZB, and played Emmons, Rustler, and a few others...I bought an MSA D-12 new in '75 and never looked back. See pics: http://community.webshots.com/album/160977719iUyJIi

I got away from the performing in '79 to run a business....just started back a few months ago with a S-10 that's been hiding in the closet for too many years. Also just bought and refurbished another S-10 last week. Love 'em!!!

Pictures of the process are available for your entertainment at: http://community.webshots.com/album/158792728FdIZlU

As for the next time, I would buy a Carter if I couln't afford a Millennium

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 8 Jul 2004 3:02 pm

.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 08:47 PM.]

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 8 Jul 2004 7:18 pm

I have a beautiful like new Wood sunburst MSA "Universal" model S12 with 8/5 Now and it sounds great with the SuperSustain II pickup in the aluminum pocket like the old Shobuds......

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Gordon Borland · Post by **Gordon Borland** » 8 Jul 2004 9:04 pm

I own an MSA 1976 Classic D10.

I love it. I know it loves me.

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Gordon Borland
MSA D10,NASHVILLE 400,SESSIONS 2000,PEAVEY ADDVERB,SOME WIRES AND A BATTERY.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 8 Jul 2004 10:25 pm

The thing is that just as a hollow body jazz guitar sounds different than a telecaster, MSAs have an inherently different tone than an Emmons.

The secret to getting them so sound good is to accentuate their natural tone, rather than try to get them to be something they're not.

JOZEF SMITH · Post by **JOZEF SMITH** » 8 Jul 2004 11:21 pm

I have a MSA D10 8P/2K - brown mica and a MSA D10 9P/4K Classic XL - blue with SS pickups. They are both in excellent condition.

Alan Pagliere · Post by **Alan Pagliere** » 9 Jul 2004 5:52 am

Check out:
http://www.cadillaccowboys.com/RolledSteel.html
to read about an incident which proved to me the solidness and reliability of the old MSA ... when ... I hate to admit it ... my steel actually ... rolled off a stage ... and crashed to the ground. It stayed in tune.

That was my first steel, which I bought used in 1975. Since then I have bought two more MSAs: a U-12 MSA from around 1980 (same burgundy color as the one in the photo above) and a sleek Millennium U-12.

In any case, a distressing, yet funny story.

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 17 Jul 2004 5:46 pm

My current MSA is a 1974 Classic 3 + 4. It was a rosewood color formica. I have removed that and it now is a sparkling green. I will post pictures when I get it finished.

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 24 Jul 2004 2:04 am

I want to put a new pickupon my MSA Clasic. Any recommendations ??

Tommy Roten · Post by **Tommy Roten** » 24 Jul 2004 7:34 am

I have a white MSA d-10, 9+5, but I don't know it's age. It has serial nr. 2C3260. Does anybody know anything about this steel. Picture you can see at www.tommy-steel.com/mygear

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 24 Jul 2004 9:42 am

Tommy R....Serial number 2C3260 shows to be a white double 10 which left the factory with 8 pedals and 2 knee levers. It's original destination was Chicago where our distributor was then located.

Your guitar will have it's 30th birthday next month on the 30th of August. Official entry was 8-30-74.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 12 Aug 2004 5:59 pm

Probably close to 10,000 of 'em!

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 12 Aug 2004 10:58 pm

I have 2. An S12 7x5 Vintage XL, and a Classic S10 3x4.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 13 Aug 2004 8:39 pm

Apparently, lots. Mine is a D-10 Classic 8+4 in black, supersustain pickups, serial# 2C2846, final assembly signature by Bud Carter, in near-mint condition. I'd be interested in any dating information if it's available. Thanks in advance if you can help out.

This guitar ain't for the faint-of-back, but it plays and sounds great, and is obviously built to last. Smooooth action, stays in tune, a pleasure to play. I know it's personal taste, and de gustibus non disputandum. But I think these pickups sound good for what I'm doing. I've thought about putting Truetones on this guitar, I hear many rave reviews. So I may try 'em, but I sure like the lack of hum on the SSs.

I think of these MSAs analogously to Les Paul guitars, which also aren't light and don't cluck like a Tele. Don't get me wrong, I love Teles, but I think Les and Gibson just mighta had something there also, perhaps??

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MSA Classic D-10 8+4, Sierra S-10 3+4;
Peavey LTD 400, Line6 Pod 2.0 + Ampeg BA 112, '64 Fender Deluxe Reverb

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 14 Aug 2004 5:31 am

Hi Dave....Thank you for providing me the opportunity to answer you question.

Serial number 2C-2846 is a black double 10 which left the factory with 8 pedals and 2 knee levers. It was originally shipped to our distributor in Chicago. Your guitar had its 30th birthday about 2 months ago. It was born on June 21st 1974.

All of us at MSA appreciate your playing one of our guitars, and consider all who own, or have owned an MSA, to be part of our family.

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 19 Aug 2004 12:11 pm

I have a 1977 burgandy red single ten, 3 pedals, 4 knees. It is the "Classic" model in lacquer finish. Nice, easy playing, solid as a rock guitar. It stays set up in my shop for practice, and my Zum does the road work. My first guitar was an MSA semi-classic, 3 and 1. I bought that one new in 1972 and played it for 20 years before moving up to guitar with more knees. Long live MSA! Larry Jamieson, Walton, NY

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 28 Sep 2004 5:08 pm

I just got another MSA classic of ebay. It had Tom Bradshaws B&B Shadow decal on it plus a Tom Bradshaw restoration plate inside. I am in the process of stripping of the tidewood formica and will be replacing it with purple sparkle drum wrap. I have had all the aluminum parts professionally polished and have an aluminum neck for it. I will probably put a truetone pickup on it. Iwill post pictures of it when I get it completed.

Gerald Pierce · Post by **Gerald Pierce** » 28 Sep 2004 6:58 pm

I have what was born (in 1970) as an MSA D-10. I have a question about the original changer on this guitar. Was it originally an all-pull system? I know this one had the flat cross bars (which have been replaced with square bars), and the guitar is now set up with a pull/release system. Were all MSA guitars all-pull?

Bought a nice S-12 Universal in about '75.... beautiful blue maple...couldn't play it...wish I'd kept it...yada, yada, yada...

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 28 Sep 2004 7:14 pm

.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 08:47 PM.]

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 29 Sep 2004 1:59 am

Jim,

I bought it from Daniel Cormier. He is a forum member. djcormier@cox-internet.com. Regards, Brian

Charles Walker · Post by **Charles Walker** » 29 Sep 2004 3:46 pm

74 MSA CLASSIC D10 8 and 5 and she's my baby and my first I might add

Chuck Miller · Post by **Chuck Miller** » 11 Oct 2004 10:07 pm

MSA Classic D10 8 and 4, serial number 2C5142, (in case Reece drops by). Just arrived today, Looks like it's seen alot of time in the trenchs, but plays well. Just Needs alittle TLC.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 11 Oct 2004 10:30 pm

.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 08:47 PM.]

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 12 Oct 2004 3:13 am

Chuck....I was just surfing by, saw where you joined what we consider to be our MSA family by becoming an owner, so thought I would welcome you and provide some information about your guitar.

Records indicate your guitar was built "for stock", which means we built it for the music store MSA once had at our manufacturing facitity. Sorry, but I have no way of tracing the name of the person who bought the guitar.

I can however tell you the guitar was originally built with 8 pedals and 4 knee levers and it was built in May of 1976.

Theres many years of service left in your guitar, just keep er oiled and keep er busy playing....she loves that.