Show us your MSA please.

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Darvin Willhoite
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Post by Darvin Willhoite »

I thought I had posted a picture of this guitar, but couldn't find it in the list. I just finished the restoration a year or so ago so it probably wasn't finished when I last looked at this post.

I bought this guitar from Reece a couple of years before he passed, and finally got the time to finish the restoration. Mark Giles touched up and buffed out the cabinet, making it look new. It was used on Maurice's "Universal Direction" album, on some episodes of the "Dallas" TV show, and in a couple of movies. I set it up with a Bb6th tuning as a tribute to Reece. Maybe after I retire, I'll spend some time with it and learn to play it.


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And here is the man himself, playing it.


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Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, as well as some older MSAs, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Recently added a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored blue Rose, named the "Blue Bird" to the herd. Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic again that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also added a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks.
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Darvin Willhoite
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Post by Darvin Willhoite »

And here's another one I finished restoring a few months ago, again with the help of Mark Giles on the body. This one was in the closet for 5 or 6 years, but it's finally playable again.


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Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, as well as some older MSAs, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Recently added a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored blue Rose, named the "Blue Bird" to the herd. Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic again that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also added a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks.
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Ken Metcalf
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Post by Ken Metcalf »

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Lem Smith
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Post by Lem Smith »

Absolutely beautiful guitar, Darvin. I love that color. Just curious, but is that guitar setup that much taller than regular, or are the legs just extended more because they are shorter than normal? I was wondering, because from the picture, that looks like maybe the most extra lift I've seen on one.
Darvin Willhoite wrote:And here's another one I finished restoring a few months ago, again with the help of Mark Giles on the body. This one was in the closet for 5 or 6 years, but it's finally playable again.


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Darvin Willhoite
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Post by Darvin Willhoite »

Lem, I have long legs, so I have to raise my guitars to 27" from the bottom of the body to the floor. The original legs were a little shorter than normal so there is a pretty good space between the pedal bar and the leg clutch. I always make new pedal rods for my guitars when I raise them up, I don't care much for pedal rod extenders.
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, as well as some older MSAs, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Recently added a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored blue Rose, named the "Blue Bird" to the herd. Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic again that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also added a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks.
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Lem Smith
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Location: Long Beach, MS

Post by Lem Smith »

Darvin, thanks for the reply. I can totally relate, as I need my guitar raised by a couple of inches as well. I thought I was never going to be able to find a new set of legs for my MSA Classic SS, but after trying several people, and each one of those referring me to someone else, I finally got in touch with Ray at http://nashvillerecordings.com/guitar/s ... talogB.htm and he's supposed to be making me a set of legs that are 2 inches over standard height.

Like you, I also prefer to have the longer pedal rods, instead of the extenders, but will probably go with the extenders to begin with, until I can get a set of 3 pedal rods that are also 2 inches over height.
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Mike Perlowin
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Post by Mike Perlowin »

Darvin Willhoite wrote:And here's another one I finished restoring a few months ago, again with the help of Mark Giles on the body. This one was in the closet for 5 or 6 years, but it's finally playable again.


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What a beautiful guitar. I love the color.
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
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Quentin Hickey
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Post by Quentin Hickey »

My setup sounding like solid gold in the dance hall

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Quentin Hickey
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Post by Quentin Hickey »

Darvin,
I dont know how you did it but your vintage xl looks like it just came out of the factory. Beautiful!
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Damir Besic
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Brian Ostrom's MSALegend

Post by Damir Besic »

Brian just got this beautiful guitar from me in trade...absolutely gorgeous instrument...




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David Wright
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Post by David Wright »

Great pictures Darvin!! && Damir
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Judson Adair
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Post by Judson Adair »

MSA Classic D12. I love this thing. It is probably way more guitar than I deserve. If I could play half as good as it sounds I be famous.
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Mike Perlowin
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Post by Mike Perlowin »

Judson Adair wrote:MSA Classic D12.

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That guitar is now at least 40 years old. The fact that it's still fully functional shows just how well those guitars are made.

MSA really is, and always has been, one of the finest steels on the market. I love mine.
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
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Judson Adair
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Post by Judson Adair »

It isn't just fully functional, it is really in fantastic shape. I can't believe have great a guitar it is. It is my 4th pedal steel and it is leaps and bounds better than the others I had.
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Malcolm McMaster
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Post by Malcolm McMaster »

Damir, love that Legend, think that is my favoutite Legend finish, that Mark Giles cabinet is exquisite.Is that same guitar that is on the MSA web site?
MSA Millenium SD10, GK MB200, Sica 12inch cab, Joyo American Sound Pedal/ Jay Ganz Straight Ahead amp, Telonics 15inch in Peavey cab, Digitech RP150, Peterson tuner.Hilton volume pedal.Scott Dixon seat and guitar flight case.
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John Rich
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Post by John Rich »

My 75 Classic Wish i still had it.
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Mike Perlowin
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Post by Mike Perlowin »

Bump, because I love these guitars.
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
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John Roche
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Post by John Roche »

my girl Legend
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Ed Boyd
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Post by Ed Boyd »

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Thomas Floyd
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Post by Thomas Floyd »

I'm new at Pedal Steel Guitar. I just bought my first one. I don't even have it yet. It's suppose to be shipped out today. I can't wait. It's just the MSA CLASSIC.S-10. I'm so excited.
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Jesus Loves Me AND The Pedal Steel Guitar

MSA S-10
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Mike Perlowin
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Post by Mike Perlowin »

Congratulations. You picked a winner. Your guitar was made between 1970 and'75. Chances are it was assembled by Bud Carter, who worked at MSA before startling his own company.

As has been said elsewhere, those old MSA guitars were built to last. This one will probably last you the rest of your life.
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
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Thomas Floyd
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Post by Thomas Floyd »

Thank you Mike. I bought it from a great guy on the forum. He upgraded the pickup with a L705 I think. Anyway.... I'm excited to go from my Fender 6 String Lapsteel to learnin the pedal. I'm 63 yrs old... hope I can learn new tricks. Thanks again
Jesus Loves Me AND The Pedal Steel Guitar

MSA S-10
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Craig Schwartz
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Post by Craig Schwartz »

1974 8x5
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SO MANY LURES, SO LITTLE TIME....
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Craig Schwartz
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Post by Craig Schwartz »

1974 8x5
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SO MANY LURES, SO LITTLE TIME....
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Dale Rottacker
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Post by Dale Rottacker »

Needless to say, I’m in LOVE!!!

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Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com
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