The Steel Guitar Forum

James R......Thank you for your inquiry. I of course know Todd very well and I hope you will give him my best.

The serial number you have provided is an incorrect sequence. Possibly the number has become faint, and if so you might wish to take a small piece of lightweight paper and lightly trace the number with a pencil. I will however say, I believe the early 70's would be a good guess.

Thank you for owning an MSA.

Reece, I guess I better get my eyes checked. It's 1C109. Thank you, James

James.....Thank you for the serial number clearification. I have searched so deep into MSA records that I found dust and cobwebs, but no history of that serial number.

I'm sorry I'm at a dead end, but you can be proud of your guitar because it is unique in that the serial number cannot be found. Seldom does this happen but I'll once again go completely through my search to be sure I didn't somehow overlook it.

Sorry it appears at this time I can't provide you the information. Thank you for playing an MSA and for taking good care of one of our most vintage guitars.

When I see them pictures of them purty MSA's I pine and yearn for the one I let slip away in 1977...

Reece, I parted with my 1979 MSA D10 SS2 in Hendersonville, Tn around 1986. I needed gas money to get back home to Idaho. I will never ever part with this one. It truly is a wonderful Pedal Steel. The best I've ever played period. Thanks again, James

Hi Reece, I just sent you a PM regarding serial numbers on a couple old MSAs I'm currently working on. One looks like the twin to Terry's guitar but has tuning keys with a black plastic base and single coil pickups.

Hi Reece-
My D-10 Classic S/N 2C166,with Bud Carter's signature on the label was the guitar I learned on.Bought it the summer of 1979 from Don Edwards' Guitar City in Lakewood,CO and I still have it.He told me then that it was made approximately 1970 and was originally an 8x2(8x4 now).If you have a build date for this guitar,could you post it? Thanks so much.

Chuck M…..Sorry, but I haven’t as yet received your email. You may wish to try again or post the serial numbers on the forum and I’ll be happy to respond either way.

Dave H……Glad you mentioned Don Edwards, he was fine man and a good friend. I visited him at his store more than once. I can’t remember what street his store was on, but if memory serves correct it was said to be the longest street in the U.S……to satisfy my curiosity, would you know that to be true?

Serial number 2C166 was originally shipped to a friend of mine named John Hoppe. Records indicate it as being a rosewood double 10 and the number of pedals and knee levers on the guitar was not entered into record. Sorry, but the date of birth was not entered into record. I will however say, the year you were told is close.

Thanks for providing 2C166 a great home for the past 30 years, I trust it has served you well.

Reece-
Don's store was at 9895 West Colfax at Kipling.Wikipedia says Colfax is 26 miles long,but out of curiosity I drove the whole length once and it was either 30 or 33 miles.I've heard that too,about Colfax being the longest continuous city street in the US.
Thanks so much for the background on my MSA.It looks and plays as well as the day I brought it home,although I gigged with it steadily for 10-12 years(the case,however,looks like The Portrait of Dorian Gray LOL).The pedal/knee lever action is smooth,accurate,and solid.It stays in tune as well as anything I've ever played,and sounds great.If it were an airplane,it'd be a DC-3.Thanks again,Reece.

Hi Reece, I have a couple of old MSA D-10 Classics that I'm currently working on. Do you have any information on these serial numbers:

a) 20141 or 2C141 - The C is either backwards or its a zero. The fretboard has chrome markers.

b) 2C1944 - The tuners have a black plastic base and has exposed, narrow black pickups that look like single coils.

Thanks, Chuck

Reece, I have a different question. Actually 4 questions.

1: Are all the mica guitars made out of dieboard (like mine) or are some solid maple?

2: What year did you switch from dieboard(?) and mica to maple and lacquer?

3: Did you change the neck and pickup well at the same time you went to the maple/lacquer bodies, or are there a few of them with the older style neck and pickup well? Or some mica guitars with the newer neck and well?

4: Some of the early maple/lacquer guitars have external fretboards and MSA and Classic logos attached to the neck and front apron respectively, while the later ones have them silk screened onto the wood under the lacquer. What year did you start silk screening the fretboards and logos?

Dave H……Thank you for verifying my memory of Colfax being the longest street in the U.S. My being a pilot in the past makes your comment about the DC-3 very meaningful to me, for which I also thank you.

Chuck M……Records show serial number 2C141 to be a double 10 rosewood which left the factory with 8 pedals and 2 knee levers. Part of the record is unclear in that it shows it was shipped to Denny’s Music, yet to the side of the entry it says, sold in San Francisco. The exact date of birth was not entered, however records show it as being built in May of 1974.

Serial number 2C1944 shows to be a rosewood double 10 which left the factory with 8 pedals and 2 knee levers. It’s original destination was our distributer at the time who was located in Chicago. This guitar was born on February 1st 1974.

Best wishes concerning your restoration efforts.

Mike P……Thank you for your questions. MSA did not enter the dates of specific changes into record.

Hi Reece,

I have a "The Universal", serial number 1C7143 that I'm refurbishing. Any info about it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, you mentioned John Hoppe, of Sting Shoppe fame, here in Columbus, Ohio. We were very good friends back in the 70s. At the time, I was playing a sad excuse for a pedal steel. He called me one day and said I HAD to come over and see this new steel he'd just received. Well, long story short, it was a White Tidewood, Classic E9/B6 Universal. I fell in love at first sight (and touch) and bought it on the spot. I played that steel every single day for many, many, years and it started my addiction to the universal tuning.

I've played universals ever since. Thanks for making such a beautiful instrument.

Mike W……John Hoppe was one of our first MSA dealers. John was a good friend to many back in those days, myself included. He called me about 3 years ago and I believe he said he was living on the west coast.

Serial number 1C7143 shows to be an emerald green single 12 which left the factory with 7 pedals and 5 knee levers. It was originally shipped to David Deratany. The date of completion was not entered into record.

As you now know, playing steel guitar is an enjoyable addiction which can be beneficial to one’s health.

Reece, I hate to bother you with another serial number but here goes:

I recently bought an MSA Classic D-10 (8x5) that says "Designed for Ben Jack" on the front mica panel (see photo). Serial # is 2C165, so I'm guessing very early 1970s? I've been fixing it up, and it's really a great-sounding instrument. Would love to know anything about this instrument or its early history.

This guitar has a Day setup for the first 3 pedals and a slightly non-standard copedent, but I like the way it works...so I'm going to play it for a while before changing anything. I'm new to pedal steel, so appreciate any info on this guitar.

Steve...You nor anyone else is ever a bother to me, I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to respond to MSA owners, it's the least I can do in appreciation of ownership.

I'm very familiar with your guitar, to my knowledge it's the only color combination of it's kind ever made. Ben Jack is a long time friend of mine, he and his wife Sheryl live in Arkansas and they have a beautiful music store. (Ben Jacks Music)

I remember when Ben came to the factory to order it with Bobby White, and I remember when he took delivery at our factory. Ben is an excellent player and a fine man. I consider you fortunate to have this guitar and I hope you enjoy playing it. Welcome to the world of steel guitar, enjoy the journey.

The exact date of completion was not entered into record, but your guess is a good one.

Reece Anderson
I just purchased my 3rd MSA this one seems real nice I am sure the pickups have been changed they do not say Super Sustain on them Ser# 2C 2388 any info would be appericated thank you
John Graham

John......Thank you for providing me the opportunity to be of help to you.

Serial number 2C2388 shows to be a black double 10 which left the factory with 8 pedals and 2 knee levers. Its original destination was our distributor at the time located in Chicago. Your guitar was born on April 12th 1974.

Although MSA records did not specifically document design changes, I would have to say that your guitar was born before we started installing SuperSustain pickups.

Hope you continue to enjoy playing your MSA.