MSA Classic - Pickup Mounting?

Dan Behringer · From: Jerseyville, Illinois

Hi All,

I recently purchased an old MSA Classic D10. The front neck has been cut out and fitted a George L E66. This pick up sounds ok, I just can’t get it to pick-up very well on the heavier strings. I figured that adjusting it up or down might help. The problem is that I can’t see or feel any type of mounting screws underneath the pick up. I’m guessing that it has been glued down.

What I need to find out is if gluing would have been the most probable way the pick up was mounted? Also, what would be the best way to loosen it without damaging any thing? I’m fairly mechanically inclined and shouldn’t have any trouble doing the work myself. (I’ve already had both changers apart for a clean and lube and changed the copedant to suite me). I just don’t have much experience working on these steels, and I want to be careful.

Maybe someone might know this guitar. I bought it from a couple in St. Louis. She was the one that used it to learn on, but I guess she gave up on it. He told me they had bought it somewhere in Texas. It looks to have been rode hard over it’s life. It’s pretty beat up and was covered with what appears to be nicotine and spilled beer. It’s black with white strips, and has 2C1641 stamped underneath, and that’s about all I know.

I have to give credit to the guys that built this thing. Even though it appears to have a million miles on it, it still plays perfectly.

I’m just a closet player. I’ve played on a home made S10 for the last 20 years and this is my first real pedal steel. I wished I’d bought one sooner, as I’m really having a blast with this thing. I’ve even gotten the urge to learn more since buying it.

I know, I’m saying more than I need too, but I’m having fun!

Thanks in Advance,
Dan

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

Check out underneath the guitar for two posts that may be extending through the cabinet from the pickup- usually about a 4/40 screw/nut that were used on some of the guitars originally-- if you see those it will be a breeze (sort of) and some Geo L's pickups come with those (usually a bit larger) screws that are often times removed at installation if not needed. If no screws are seen in that area probably you can pop it off with a screwdriver if truly glued in place as the E66's are built like tanks and it takes some doing to mess them up. Foam is an alternative to springs under the pickup to let it be adjustable- just deteriorates over time.

Dan Behringer · From: Jerseyville, Illinois

Thanks for the reply Jim. I don't see any kind of mounting posts underneath. There are 2 holes under each pickup that go all the way through. I think I can see metal objects at the other end that I initially thought were screws. The only thing is that I haven't been able to get any kind of screwdriver to grab ahold. I just can't see through there well enough to make out what they are.

I need to get outside and shovel that dang snow right now. I'll try to get at it this weekend, sometime?

Scott Howard · From: Georgetown, TN, USA

I ran across one several years ago on a Sho-Bud that was attached with double sided tape , like for automotive side moulding.

Dan Behringer · From: Jerseyville, Illinois

Thanks! I pryed up on the pickup and was able to pull one side loose. It feels like it's held down with silicone.

That's a good idea Scott! I'm planning on doing something to adjust the pickup, the next time I have the strings off. That double-sided tape just might be the answer.

Michael Maddex · From: Northern New Mexico, USA

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

If the pickup is mounted on a metal plate, there is a screw or screws coming up through the bottom of the plate, into the pickup. You have to remove the plate from the guitar to get the pickup loose. This method is used on the MSAs that have the aluminum pocket around the pickup.
Larry J.

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