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Author
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Topic: MSA semi-classic
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Frode Bjoernstad
Member From: Oslo, Norway
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posted 23 June 2004 12:15 AM
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Hi..
Any thoughts on these guitars ?
I just purchased a MSA semi-classic with 4pedals x 2 kneelevers from Dan at www.sidestreetsteel.com (great service!), and I am wondering if any of you guys have any experience with these guitars. I have just played a few months on a Carter starter, and I hope this one feels more right for me..
Frode
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John Daugherty
Member From: Rolla, Missouri, USA
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posted 23 June 2004 05:10 AM
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Bud Carter built a lot of the MSAs when he was associated with the company. The person who did the final assembly and setup, signed his name by the serial number.
I have a Classic with the stock super sustain pickups and it sounds great and stays in tune.
The MSA is built like a tank and as a result is heavy. This is good while playing but bad while carrying. My D10 weighs ~45#.
I think you will like it. |
Darvin Willhoite
Member From: Leander, Tx. USA
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posted 23 June 2004 06:17 AM
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I rebuilt one of these a year or two ago and it turned out to be a really nice little steel. It had two knee levers and I added two more, which took a little machine work. The end plate was only drilled to allow a single raise and single lower on all but the fourth string which had holes for double raise. The pull fingers were already made for double raise, double lower on each string, so I drilled out the end plate to allow these to be used. It used the same bellcranks, collars, and tuning parts as the other older MSA's. The aluminum parts had a matt finish so there was no polishing involved. It made a very nice, lightweight single neck steel. Here's what it looked like when it was almost finished.
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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
[This message was edited by Darvin Willhoite on 23 June 2004 at 06:20 AM.]
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Frode Bjoernstad
Member From: Oslo, Norway
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posted 24 June 2004 06:35 AM
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Hi again.. Thank you guys for sharing...
One more question : I guess the a, b & c pedals has the standard set up, but could anyone tell what would be the logical (and best)way to set up the "d" pedal and the two knee levers on this MSA semi-classic?
I have'nt recived it yet ( probably tomorrow) , but I would like to welcome it well prepared!
I am in no rush to add more levers on it yet, but thanks for the info and pictures Darwin..
Frode |
Darvin Willhoite
Member From: Leander, Tx. USA
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posted 24 June 2004 06:40 AM
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Just my opinion, but I would lower the E's with one lever, and raise them with the other lever. I lower mine with the RKR but that is a matter of personal taste. On the 4th pedal, I would raise the first string a whole tone, lower the second string a whole tone, and maybe lower the sixth string a whole tone. These seem to be the changes I use the most. Again, just my opinion. ------------------
Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
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Andrew Kilinski
Member From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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posted 24 June 2004 02:26 PM
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I bought a semi-classic a couple months ago. It is my first steel, so I can't tell you very much about it except that it is heavy as a mofo in the case, so I try not to move it around too much. It does sound good though and it appears to be a pretty solid instrument.
It came with 3 pedals, and 3 levers. The LKR raises the E strings, RKL lowers 'em. The third lever RKR raises the 1st string to G#, and also lowers the fifth string to F#. This is kind of a weird set-up for the RKR I think, because I can get unison licks with the C pedal, and lowering the sixth string is kinda useless to me so far, so I would love to change those up if I get a chance to. [This message was edited by Andrew Kilinski on 24 June 2004 at 05:48 PM.] |
Earnest Bovine
Member From: Los Angeles CA USA
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posted 24 June 2004 03:47 PM
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Andrew,
Most people count strings from the other side of the guitar. |
Andrew Kilinski
Member From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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posted 24 June 2004 05:37 PM
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Yeah, I still can't count the strings right, but hopefully you can understand what i'm trying to say. I'm a guitar player, so that should help explain the confusion. |
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