My new/old MSA Classic-

[Joe Gall]

Well, as most of may have seen in the classified section as sold my Carter Starter (hurray) and bought a very nice older MSA from someone on this site. This guitar shows very little wear (on the pedals) and has no dings or scratches anywhere to speak of. However, I must say, the Carter Starter that I had did a great job getting me up and running and I had no issues with it staying in tune etc. For me, it was just too small as I am a big guy! That was the biggest problem I had with it!

I am thrilled and honored to own this guitar and as it turns out I had a lot in common with the gentleman who owned before me. He had vision issues (born blind in one eye) and had become an eye Doctor to help people with vision issues like himself and although we never met, like myself as well. Truly an amazing coincidence if there ever was one!

Well I have done some cleaning and a few electronic repairs and all is well. I think aside from a replacing two pots and the 1/4" jack at some point I am in good shape. I have also temporarily extended the A,B,C pedals as I am 6'-2" (as was the previous owner but somehow he managed and I can not).

I need to order 8 of the 10-32 thread connectors from the local hardware store and I will be all set. Although I'm not so sure I will ever need the other 5 foot pedals as I am thinking it may take me the rest of my life to figure out the E-9th neck! LOL

Anyway, here are a couple of pics of my MSA. I must say it is a true pleasure to be able to sit under something and "attempt" to play something so well made! And to have ROOM to move and to be able to actually use the knee levers. Wow those things are cool!!!

I am really enjoying this guitar and as stated above I am thankful and honored that it worked out that I was able to get it. I really thought I was going to have to stick with my Carter for a few more years but thanks to some crazy things falling into place and a wonderful wife and son who are incredibly supportive, they were the ones who ultimately encouraged me to "go for it". And they are the ones who will ultimately and willingly go without for a month or so in order to make this happen. I am a lucky man!

I just wanted to share my story with you all, if anyone could appreciate everything that had to happen for me to get this MSA PSG it would be the folks here on this site!





Yes, I know, I have a very inexpensive volume pedal that should be replaced. However, I've had it for many many years and it's VERY low profile! For me, that is a major issue. I have a 2" lift on my MSA and I still barely squeak under. I guess I have an usually long, heal to top of knee, height? I don't know but anyway this works! LOL

[Mike Wheeler]

Well, congratulations, Joe! I got a kick out of your story. It always make me happy to see a picker get a steel he's thrilled with.

My first steel was an MSA 12 string Universal the same color as yours....white tidewood. I know it will give you many years of happiness (and frustration...he, he, he).

Play it in good health, Joe.

[Joe Gall]

Thanks Mike. I should also add that the original owner the the MSA (the eye Dr.) has since passed away and it was his family that I bought the guitar from. They were very nice people to deal with to say the least and I assured them that I would care for their Dad's guitar with the utmost respect and appreciation!

[Quentin Hickey]

Nice axe dude!

[Lane Gray]

Amen. nice guitar. Have fun with it

[Joe Gall]

Thanks guys!

[Paul Wade]

Joe,
nice guitar. i have been playing m.s.a guitars for 25 years and have not had a bad one yet. there is a fellow on here that makes parts for older m.s.a's Michael
yhal enjoy...

p.w
the mid night cowboys band

[Joe Gall]

Thanks for the info Paul.

The only down side I've found is the weight of this guitar. Wow, she is a heavy old girl!!! However, I don't plan on going on the road anytime soon I mean I figure it's going to take 10-20 years to learn this thing anyway... LOL

[Leif Lomeland]

Joe, nice guitar!! I have a 70s MSA Classic S10 and I'm convinced it is one of the best under rated pedal steel out there. Mechanically built like a tank! Yes, weighs like a tank too!! Lol...

Enjoy it and congrats! Leif

[Joe Gall]

Any way of "dating" this guitar?

[Larry Jamieson]

Joe,
Nice guitar. Those older MSAs are very well built,
solid as a rock, and play very well. My first guitar was an MSA Semi-Classic, and I later owned a
Classic.
If you post a thread with this title: MSA Information please, Reese? and put in the post the serial number of your guitar, Reese Anderson, the owner of MSA will usually respond with quite a lot of info about your guitar. Have fun!

[Joe Gall]

Larry, thanks for the info!

I had to laugh at my own post after I wrote it because if you ask my wife, she'd tell you that I am "dating" this MSA as I have spent an awful lot of time with "her" lately...

[Joe Gall]

Well after stopping at our local nut & bolt specialty store right around the corner from my house I purchased 8 - 10-32 thread connectors at a whopping $.15 each and 8 - 2" pieces of 10-32 threaded rod all for a whopping grand total of $2.00 even! Came home and made my pedal rod extensions and put them on.

Now, finally, will a full 2" lift on all four legs I can get under this guitar and work all 4 knee levers, volume pedal, foot pedals etc. This is a lot more FUN now!!!!!!!

Funny thing was I was originally only going to buy the parts needed to extend 3 of the rods as that is all I need for now. But for a whole $2.00 I couldn't see not making up all 8 of them! LOL

[Quentin Hickey]

Joe, there is nothing worse thatn trying to play behind a guitar that is too short for you body. I know the feeling buddy! I have my guitars raised one inch and my seat is one inch higher too. Now you can get to the meat and potatoes . Have fun on youre journey.

Quentin

[Joe Gall]

Thanks Quenton,

Took the new MSA to our Bi-monthly country music jam and had a blast tonight. Played from 5-11 pretty much non-stop! Wow I just love this old guitar. Getting the chance to play with live musicians is just a ton of fun.

Got to play Friday night at a barn jam, played drums today at Church for the pig roast, then as I mentioned again tonight at the bi-monthly country jam. Great weekend!!!

I had people all night commenting on how well I am coming along with my playing. Some of them noticed I had a new/different steel. I have to admit, having a decent guitar does make a huge difference!

[Scott Major]

I enjoyed your story. It's a lot like mine. Four years ago I bought a Carter Starter as well and tried to learn some on it. It's been difficult to get it all figured out. However, last year I bought an MSA Classic, D-10 that looks just exactly like yours. It is white as well. I checked with Reese and found that my MSA was built around 1974. It works great and looks almost perfect. I meet her in my room every night and spend time with her til my wife comes in and breaks it up. I think it is the most wonderful instrument I have ever had and I play a lot of them. What a great challenge. Congratulations to you on owning this fine instrument. I still have my Carter Starter, I'll probably sell it sometime. Just brings back some memories of where I came from some times. Hope to see you on here again sometime. Keep on pickin'.

[Scott Major]

By the way, I use a Peavey Session 500 with my MSA.

Scott

[Joe Gall]

Funny story!

Lucky for me I play with mine out in the shop where we have a bit more privacy. My wife says if I am going to do it and because "the "ole girl" does tend to make a lot of noise when we are together, going out in the shop is the best thing to do!

However, my wife does say that the noise coming from the ole girl is getting better and better all the time and in fact at times is even pleasant to listen too!!

When I get back home I am going to move the two left knee levers over to the left a bit more to make the guitar more comfortable to play, then I should be all set!