The Steel Guitar Forum

That looks like it's from 1975 or 6

yep, it is a 76

That's when they started making maple bodies, but still had the external fretboards, and glued on MSA and Classic logos. I think they started silk screening those things under the lacquer in '77.

Ken Adkins wrote:

My MSA looks just like that, but not in as good an aesthetic condition. It's obviously seen a lot of honky-tonks. Sounds amazing, though.

--Al Evans

Here's mine !!

Mike Perlowin wrote:That's when they started making maple bodies, but still had the external fretboards, and glued on MSA and Classic logos. I think they started silk screening those things under the lacquer in '77.

Which is what ALL steel builders should be doing with their logos (or using a waterslide decal on mica).

Putting a big square clear sticker with your logo on it is about as tacky as can be, and for the thousands of dollars spent on a new guitar, it's the one thing done to a guitar (and arguably the last step in the process) that makes an otherwise beautiful instrument look like a generic knock-off.

David Decker wrote:Here's mine !!

David, is there much difference between your Millie and your Legend?

No,not really! Love both guitars! The Millie has tone aligners. And the XL has 409's, I think the XL has a brighter tone.

The only way to truly compare their inherent tones is to play them with the same pickups.

BTW, after trying out a bunch of different pickups, I settled on an Alumitone.

I recently got my “new” S-12 back from being set up!

It’s my first universal copedent but I’ve already gigged with it once and will again this week, for better or for worse.

Here's my new MSA. Man this guitar plays like butter! Incredible guitars!

Jeremy Moyers wrote:

That's gorgeous. I'm drooling.

yea my heart is fluttering too!! MSA has always been a soft spot for me...I've had three.

I've never played an MSA, but one interesting thing I noticed from seeing pictures of them on the forum is the large metal mass at the changer that supports the changer axle on both sides. It looks larger than on most other steels, and compared to my Carter, the difference in size is huge.

This large, nicely polished metal chunk is probably amazing for ergonomics and playing comfort to be able to rest the edge of the palm of your hand on there while picking. I would also guess that this heavier metal mass probably gives better tone and sustain compared to lighter/smaller changers.

Here's my 1975 Semi-Classic. Got sometime around 1985 for $300. Lots of miles on this one, has some stories to tell. Maurice told me it was completed in September of '75, originally a Charcoal color. Amazing what years of "ultraviolet light" will do to a finish.

I cant believe some people saying that Mica is brighter than wood with lacquer on it? Think about it... what is the mica glued too?

My SD12 Legend

I think we are so lucky to have these wonderful instruments and to still be able to play! I will never that for granted!

This is my MSA The Universal 12-string from 1981.


I made so modifications, such as a custom build pickup, added a chnter rail, adjustable return springs, sperzel tuners.
If you are interested look at:
http://www.pedalsteelguitar.info/em-msa-pu12s.html[/url]

It took me a while to round these up. One usually stays at the Cowboy Church... They are all early 80's, with almost identical copedents now.
Two of these I rebuilt. The middle one is pretty much a match to Matthew Walton's 9X5...

Here's mine, sorry about all the clutter -- we have smaller houses over here...

Any information would be welcome. I'm guessing it's a 70s model? I know nothing of its history other than that it came from the estate of a composer who lived on the south coast of England.

Sam, your guitar was made between 1970 and '75.

This is mine

Very pretty.

Could you show us the endplate?