Anyone know where to find this MSA part or substitute?

G. Robertson · Post by **G. Robertson** » 17 Jul 2018 5:09 pm

The pic shows the part off an MSA Pro Am SIDEKICK S10 that the rods attach to opposite the changer end. (Thumb pick is for scale.) That's one broken one and one intact one. Is there a generic hardware name for that threaded part with the flat tab on one end? Nothing like it at Home Depot that I can find. I'd be happy to buy one (or two) if any of you good people have any spares. Or if you could direct me to a hardware source for them I'd be very grateful! I'm fixing the guitar up for a friend who wants to sell it.

George Duncan Sypert · Post by **George Duncan Sypert** » 17 Jul 2018 5:54 pm

It has been a long time since I had an MSA that used those parts. Mine used to break off frequently and they will if the threaded part is too far out of the cross rod.

When I broke one, I went to the local hardware store and bought some that were the correct thread size. I don't remember exactly how or which ones I bought to make the flat part with the hole but I found some. Took a hammer and made the flat part, drilled it to the correct size and reinstalled it in the cross rod.

I have no idea where you would find one of those stock unless an MSA owner from that time frame had some extras or ones they had removed from their guitar.

I bought mine in 1969 and MSA changed the entire underneath configuration shorty after that and I do mean shorty. For the past 49 years I have wished I had waited a few more months to purchase my first custom built pedal steel. Better yet, still had my original Fender 400 and 1000. I always like the tone of those two guitars.

You might try an Ace Hardware store for some parts you could make work for you. Good luck.

George

Ronald Heinzel · Post by **Ronald Heinzel** » 17 Jul 2018 6:04 pm

They look similar to the hangers for suspended ceilings. I would think Ace or True Value stores will have it.
Good luck

Edward Rhea · Post by **Edward Rhea** » 17 Jul 2018 6:39 pm

Iâ€™ll agree with Ronald, theyâ€™re called â€œacoustical toggle boltsâ€ and most any good hardware store, can have them. Best to ya!

G. Robertson · Post by **G. Robertson** » 17 Jul 2018 7:41 pm

Love this Forum! I count my blessings that b0b walks the Earth and provides this meeting place - as should we all.
Problem solved in one hour! Thanks Edward, Ronald and George.

Ronald Heinzel · Post by **Ronald Heinzel** » 18 Jul 2018 7:40 am

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 18 Jul 2018 10:46 am

Look on mcmaster-carr website.

G. Robertson · Post by **G. Robertson** » 18 Jul 2018 10:50 am

Thanks, Bill. Great source!

Gary Spaeth · Post by **Gary Spaeth** » 19 Jul 2018 9:51 am

grand piano agraffes look like that. try a piano tuner or store.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 19 Jul 2018 4:55 pm

I remember old wooden screen doors having a rod with flat ends attached at a 45 degree angle to help support the door. The rod had a turnbuckle in the center. May be able to find something similar and thred the rod. Or buy a round rod heat and flatten the end and drill it to size. Thread the rod as needed. Good luck.

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » 19 Jul 2018 5:43 pm

Google "spade bolts" and you might find a source.

Dave A Galloway · Post by **Dave A Galloway** » 20 Jul 2018 7:07 am

You can search "thumb screws" most places have them such as Home Depot ' Lowes, etc. drill it and grind off the lobes and you should be good to go!

G. Robertson · Post by **G. Robertson** » 20 Jul 2018 11:05 am

Thanks again everyone. They are indeed those 'acoustic toggle bolts' used to hang panel ceiling frames. MSA just cut off the long bolt to make the shorty with the drilled flag that the rod hooks into. Cheap and efficient, much like the whole Pro Am SIDEKICK itself. You'd think they could have flipped for adjustable, screw-in legs vs the hole-drilled-in-the-wood-frame with thumbscrews to hold them in. But no....