The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm referring to the lightweight/compact model. I know they made D-10's; I had a buddy who owned a gorgeous Burgandy one that sounded and played really good.

I think the "SS" meant super small and that Bud Carter designed it by taking the Classic and Vintage xl and made them 2" shorter and 2" narrower.

Here's a pic of a D10:

that model was the classic ss...

I had a D-10 - Marty is correct that the "SS" stood for "super small", but the word "Supersustain" was on the front of the neck just like the one in the picture. Mine was burgundy but otherwise looked just like that. "Supersustain" was what they called the stock pickups. I put 705's in mine and liked them better. Good guitars. I got my head turned by an EMCI and sold it, but I regretted doing so almost instantly.

I am pretty sure they never made a 12 string SS. The key head was very compact - in fact a couple of the tuners were shaped differently than the others so they would not collide with their neighbours when they were turned. They were really jammed in there. I think to put 12 strings on they would have to have made the body a bit longer.

Chris, just so the rest of the world doesn't get confused about ur post, in my original post/title I incorrectly called the model a Super Sustain and subsequently added the pic and corrected my errors.

If I'm not mistaken, there is live footage of Boxcar Willie and his steel player played a burgandy-coloured MSA12-string SS Supersustain. Why it stood out was I played a D-10 SS Supersustain (same colour)for 17 years. I purchased it from Bobbie Seymour back in 1992.

It was a Classic SS & Supersustain 11 is on the side of the wood neck.

Is this the one? It's a 12 string with the "Supersustain" logo, but it looks like one of the "Vintage" models rather than the SS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwTROAG_1uc

I think Bob is correct--it appears to be a Vintage model.

Were the SS models Triple Raise/Triple Lower?

I'm pretty sure they were Marty, but the memory is a little hazy. Al Brisco would know for sure.

Here's a picture of an S-10 that was for sale a couple of years ago - seller said it was triple raise triple lower which accords with my memory. Exactly like mine but mine was a D-10. Sigh.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=266972

I had this one a few years ago, maybe the best sounding steel I ever owned

yeah, but that's a different model.

Marty I don't know if this is what you are looking for but this has. 3/3. Great steel too

just a different name on the front...

Thanks for all of the feedback folks. After researching it for several hours on the net I can't reach a conclusion as to whether the Vintage XL or "The Universal" where basically the same as the Classic SS and only a little longer or totally different guitars. I've asked Tom Bradshaw and Jim Palenscar For some input.

Im very curious because I remember my buddy's D10 playing like butter and having a really good tone---overall a better machine than the Sho-Bud Super Pro I had. However, we were 15 years old too---I'm 52 now so maybe my memory is misleading me. As time goes by I'm leaning towards a S12 guitar in lieu of a D10 just for weight/practicality and I'd be interested trying a Classic SS model or something really close to it. (Minimum 3R/3L)

Thanks for posting those beautiful guitar pics folks.

Marty,
Check your email..

Scott

Marty, the small body SS guitars were only made in 10 string. I wish I still had mine.

Classic XL had heavier pedal rack than The Universal and mine was open on the right side.

This Red MSA D-10 SS was the best weekend gigging guitar I have ever owned. Stayed in tuned like you could not believe. Built like a tank and tough as they come. It did not sound like a ShoBud or Emmons but was a good smooth working steel that got the job done. Carried it for years in rain, sleet & snow. Never failed me and very rarely broke a string. Marty, I never have seen one in a D-12. J.R. Rose

I bought a Vintage XL a year ago. There was an original 45 rpm record with it where Maurice explained the different features of each model MSA made at the time. He said on the record that the SS model was not made in a 12 string version because that added too much weight to the guitar.

Thanks for all of the responses folks. I've enjoyed this subject.

there is a black 12 string for sale on craigs list in topsfield maine for $ 2200.

MSA D 12 new price $ 1750 looks good in pic.

I got this one a few years ago. Reese told me it was a '74 and it had 5 pedals and four knees when new. Someone took two pedals off and tuned it to E9 and the two lower strings aren't connected to any pedals.
I couldn't get used to 12 strings so I took the bottom two off and just keep it set up for practice.