The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi guys --

I have a question about my MSA semi classic, and John Widgren suggested I ask either of you for the answer.

I'm interested in replacing this pickup with a Lawrence L-710, but I'm not sure if I should order the narrow or wide mount. My guitar has no aluminum tone block at the changer end of the neck.

Hoping you can advise me. Thank you very much!

Alex (and John)

I put a George L in mine which i had to route out the wood some....It did not sound any better!

Hi Alex. The neck will have to be routed out in order to accommodate a new pickup and my suggestion would be to make it large enough- since you're going to go too the trouble of doing it- to let you put a wide mount pickup in it. One of the reasons for doing that is to put the center of the pickup a bit further away from the changer allowing for a bit of a different tone.

Larry Bressington wrote:I put a George L in mine which i had to route out the wood some....It did not sound any better!

I put some Sho-Bud pickups in an MSA I had from that era, and it didn't sound any different either. I would just leave it alone and save yourself the time and money.

Larry Bressington wrote:I put a George L in mine which i had to route out the wood some....It did not sound any better!

I put some Sho-Bud pickups in an MSA I had from that era, and it didn't sound any different either. I would just leave it alone and save yourself the time and money.

Some are talking that the pu on the MSA is muddy.Well on my 73 Classic it is super clear.The pu on it i beleive to be original has a white plaatic cover on the top of the pu itself.This modle also has pearloid tuner keys.

Here is the pu on my MSA.I have not seen another like it on the site for a MSA Classic 5x4?