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Topic: How does the MSA Millennium sound? |
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 29 Sep 2002 6:46 am |
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A lot has been written about this guitar, but nobody has talked about it's tone. What does it sound like? Does it have the rich dark tone of the old MSA guitars? Is it bright and trebly like an Emmons?
Also, how many different pickups are available for it?
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My gear: a piece of wood with some wires attached to it.
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 29 Sep 2002 5:53 pm
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This is what Tommy White had to say...
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| I had the distinct honor of playing a Millennium in the MSA suite and was quite taken with the instrument. Zero cabinet deflexion and tone as wide as the mighty Mississip... |
Tone is in the ear of the beholder, as well as in the hands of the player. I've played on sessions where even my old MSA sounded like Weldon's guitar. (We all know what he plays.) There isn't a bad sounding pedal steel being made today, IMHO.
As far as the sound of the new MSA, well...I'll give you my own opinion in a week or so!  |
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kbdrost
From:
Prospect Heights, IL
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Posted 29 Sep 2002 6:30 pm
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| I just got mine, and I think the tone is incredible. You can make it sound anyway you want, depending on how you set the amp. It has both a rich deep tone and all the clean highs you would want, especially above the 15th fret. I think it sounds like a cross between the old Sho-Buds and the Emmons p/p. You can't beat that. |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Sep 2002 9:38 am
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A cross between a Sho-Bud and an Emmons. How many times have I heard that from steel guitar builders and fans. Why and we still useing Sho-Bud and Emmons as a measure of quality? Possibly because they are recognised as the standard by which all others are measured for tone and value?
I've heard the tone of over 20 different brands of guitars discribed as being "a cross between and Emmons and a Sho-Bud". None of them ever were. A cross between an Emmons and a Sho-Bud? What does that sound like ? A ZB? What color is it? A cross between white and black. What does it weigh? Somewhere between 20 and 70 pounds, What does it look like, something beetween a Red Barron and a Domeland. What does it play like? Something between a banjo and a violin. I don't know what all this is 'sposed to mean. A cross between a Sho-Bud and an Emmons? |
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Marco Schouten
From:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Posted 30 Sep 2002 12:38 pm
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M(ust) S(ound) A(cryllic)
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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom; Sho-Bud LLG
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Bill Simmons
From:
Keller, Texas/Birmingham, AL, R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Sep 2002 7:23 pm
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I have heard the new MSA and it has it's OWN very distinctive tone/sound. Frankly, in the near future, it could very well be the new 'standard' of tone that players simply use as a reference point. Again, most steels of today are excellent playing and sounding with their builders trying their best to build great steel guitars.
In my opinion the MSA's tone/sound is a sweet, clear, yet warm with excellent and consistant sustain up into the higher register where many of us have a tendency to shy away from.
The new MSA is one more terrific steel guitar option for us to play. As much as I love my Tele's sound, I'm glad I have an option to purchase a Gibson, Carvin, Gretch, Rickenbacker, Ibanez, PRS, Brian Moore etc for an alternative guitar sound.
Congratualtions to the MSA group for giving us another great steel guitar option to play. |
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kbdrost
From:
Prospect Heights, IL
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Posted 1 Oct 2002 5:46 am
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| When I said "a cross between a Sho-Bud and an Emmons" I mean, sometimes it sounds like a Sho-Bud; sometimes it sounds like an Emmons. (They are, indeed, the standard by which all others are judged, IMHO) I can't get any more specific than that. Whatever it is, it works for me. |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 1 Oct 2002 8:50 am
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| Hey Mark, I love that! Thats a perfect name for a plastic guitar! |
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Marco Schouten
From:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Posted 1 Oct 2002 8:52 am
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---In my opinion the MSA's tone/sound is a sweet, clear, yet warm with excellent and consistant sustain up into the higher register where many of us have a tendency to shy away from---
That's only because I can't count higher than 15 
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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom; Sho-Bud LLG
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 1 Oct 2002 9:40 am
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| Kyle Bennet just got angry and sent me a private email telling me his plastic guitar is made from composite and that I should do my homework. Sorry Kyle, I was wrong, that wouldn't be fair to all the other plastic guitars! |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 1 Oct 2002 11:31 am
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I'm confused.
Isn't Bakelite a form of plastic?
People rave about a certain lap steel made from Bakelite.
Why does the composition of this new steel attract such derision? |
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Johnny Cox
From:
Williamsom WVA, raised in Nashville TN, Lives in Hallettsville Texas
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Posted 1 Oct 2002 1:55 pm
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I think Bill Simmons said it best. The Millennium has it's own sound. Does it sound like a Sho-Bud, or Emmons P.P. or a cross between the two? The real answer is, it has characteristics of both and more.
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Johnny Cox
So many steels, so little time.
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Marco Schouten
From:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Posted 1 Oct 2002 9:29 pm
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Hi folks, I want to make clear that my remark in this thread is just intended as a little joke. I should have made it more clear and therefore appologize for causing some misunderstandings. Since I haven't heard the new Millenium in person, it is NOT intended as a comment on its tone.
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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom; Sho-Bud LLG
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Gino Iorfida
From:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2002 10:47 pm
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Well, not hearing or even seeing one, I can't say but this.
In the 6-string market, Ovation has been using a composite back for years, and granted they had a tone unique to them, they were Very popular in the '70's and 80's, then they released their Adamas series, with a carbon composite top (which looked a LOT like the Millennium's material), and surprisingly, the Adamas had the most natural, 'woody', traditional accoustic guitar tone.... so in other words, the composites CAN sound very similar to wood if used properly, and are mUCH more stable etc.... I would bet that MSA did their homework, and have been doing so for quite some time.... only time will tell if the composites will catch on... In any case, I wish them the best of luck! |
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Chuck McGill
From:
An hour from Memphis and 2 from Nashville, R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 2:51 am
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I've have recently taken on the RainSong line
of guitars. I love the tone and volume of these carbon graphite acoustics. I can only
assume the MSA would be a different and great
sounding steel with the obvious advantages of
the material. I think it will take some time
and proving for most players to accept. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 3:23 am
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| I've have recently taken on the RainSong line of guitars. I love the tone and volume of these carbon graphite acoustics. |
I love them too. If I were to buy a new acoustic, Rainsong would be my first choice, above Martin or Taylor. |
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Jay Jessup
From:
Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 6:24 am
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| If we look at back at every thread related to the new MSA I think we see that Mr. Hatton has never missed a chance to express his unfavorable opinion of them. Perhaps we should just realize that he seems to have an agenda and ignore his comments on this subject?? |
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Guest
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 6:33 am
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While it is true that both the Rainsong and new MSA use carbon fiber, their construction has nothing in common. First of all, Rainsong describes their guitars as made of pure graphite. More important, the graphite in the Rainsong is formed in thin sheets that are then combined in plys to create a thin material which mimics natural wood in its resonance, but is much stronger, allowing the guitar to be built without bracing.
From what I've read here on the forum, the MSA is formed in a mold in which the resin is reinforced by the carbon fiber mesh. I cannot say whether this produces a good or bad sounding instrument, but for sure it's completely different technique from that used in acoustic instruments. |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 8:11 am
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| My agenda Jay is that I don't like plastic guitars. I'm glad you think you speak for the rest of the forum members. I'll be ignoring your comments in the future also pal. |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 8:25 am
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KBDroust, I understand what you are saying and I'm glad you like your new guitar. Obviously, it is good for you. I'm anxious to see one myself. I also respect your opinion of this guitar. Thanks for understanding the humor in my post,
Your friend,
Bobbe |
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Richard Gonzales
From:
Davidson, NC USA
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 8:30 am
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| Hi Jay! You surely speak for me. I thought the question was, has anyone heard the MSA's tone? Not, if you like plastic guitars, although the MSA is not plastic. I have seen and heard an MSA and if it was plastic, I still want one! My Plastic Corvette sure is nice!! |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 9:05 am
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Are you saying your Corvette sounds just like the guitar? Or is the guitar as fast as your car? I don't see much similarity here. I'm ready for any answer Speedy, lets go. Friendship is over and the gloves are off. Oh, I'm sorry, Bobby Lee said to "take it to e-mail, well ok. Forget it.
Azorious Duntov
[This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 02 October 2002 at 10:07 AM.] |
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Richard Gonzales
From:
Davidson, NC USA
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 9:13 am
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I did not know you were wounded that bad!!
Give it time and you will heal. oops, this should be off line. |
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Rex Thomas
From:
Thompson's Station, TN
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 9:18 am
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| ZORA ARKUS-DUNTOV. Goodness. Give it up. I'll let my $$ do the talkin'. |
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Guest
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Posted 2 Oct 2002 10:01 am
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I think this thread really does beg the question, what (if anything) determines the quality of a steel guitar's sound? If you can make great sounding steel guitars from wood, aluminum, formica, or carbon reinforced resin, then what CAN'T you make one out of? And does it make any difference? If a wood body sho-bud and a wood/mica Carter and an aluminum/mica body MCI and a resin body MSA all sound great, then what does that say about the steel guitar as an instrument?
And please don't answer by saying they all sound great in their own way. That may well be true, but it does seem as if you can make a steel guitar out of just about anything and it will sound good to a lot of people.
And I don't mean that sarcastically or as an insult in any way. I'm serious. |
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