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Author
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Topic: MSA question
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Justin Brown
Member From: Chicago, Illinois, USA
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posted 06 May 2005 09:12 AM
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Does anyone know the specific differences between a MSA Semi-Classic and an MSA Classic S10? I know the Classic has different wiring - with a volume knob, etc... - but what are the other differences? I imagine they're both made of more or less the same parts... or am I wrong? |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 06 May 2005 09:32 AM
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The biggest differences are cosmetic only. Sometimes they used the cheaper keys, and the endplates weren't polished, but were vapor-honed (satin finish). Also the endplates didn't have the 4 rows of holes for pedal tuning changes. The changer was the same though, so it's an easy conversion. I think a few were produced without the white cabinet binding, too. [This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 06 May 2005 at 09:33 AM.] |
Darvin Willhoite
Member From: Leander, Tx. USA
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posted 06 May 2005 11:08 AM
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I rebuilt a Semi-Classic a couple of years ago. I added two knee levers (it had two originally), drilled out the endplates to allow double raise / double lower on each string, and drilled the body for a vertical knee lever so one could be added later. The changer parts and bellcranks were the same as used on the Classic line. It played well and was a nice, lightweight guitar. These pics were taken before I put strings and pull rods on it.
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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
[This message was edited by Darvin Willhoite on 06 May 2005 at 11:10 AM.]
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Jimmie Martin
Member From: Ohio, USA
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posted 06 May 2005 02:40 PM
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can you buff out the pedal boards and end plate like other guitars? |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 06 May 2005 04:04 PM
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Yes, you can, but it's a lot of work! You'd probably have to do a 3-step procedure (smoothing with very fine wet-or-dry paper, then do the actual polishing and then the final buffing). |
Steven Black
Member From: Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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posted 09 May 2005 08:08 PM
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I tried to buff out my pedal bar but it did not change much other than cleaned it up some, my endplates polished up fine, but not the endplate. |
Steven Black
Member From: Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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posted 09 May 2005 08:09 PM
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oops! I met to say not the pedalbar instead I said not the endplate. |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 15 May 2005 05:57 PM
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Steven, the pedal bar was just sanded at the factory, so that left the finish pretty rough. It's a harder aluminum than the endplates, but it will polish out. Start by block-sanding with 240 grit wet-or-dry paper, then go to 400. That will remove the scratches, and then you can polish it out and buff it up for a nice shine. |
Paul Norman
Member From: North Carolina, USA
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posted 16 May 2005 04:42 PM
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I have a MSA S10 Classic.
Have those rods been made longer. It looks like the legs are longer. I just cut off a set of legs to keep from extending the rods. I would like for my pedal bar to shine. Thanks
Paul Norman NC |
Frode Bjoernstad
Member From: Oslo, Norway
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posted 18 May 2005 12:56 AM
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I have a Semi classic from 1971.. It's just like the one on the picture, but all the steel are polished have 4 pedals/2 levers and a Pull/release changer… Not all pull like other classics/semiclassics.. I guess it's kind of a prototype or something… White singlecoil pickup.. Sounds and plays nice, but it's a little hassle tuning it because of the pull/release changer. More like a push/pull than a modern all pull I think. Does any other have any experience with this kind of changer on a MSA?Frode |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 18 May 2005 03:34 PM
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Frode, without really seeing your guitar, it's hard to tell exactly what you have. I'm pretty sure the "Semi-Classic" series never had an antiquated, old-style pull/release changer.Used guitars often change hands many times, going from dealers to different owners. A lot of players like to tinker, and so you have many old guitars out there that aren't even close to original. The guitar you have may not even be an MSA Semi-Classic. I've heard several times of nameplates being changed on guitars (especially in foreign countries) just to make people think they're something different. |
Frode Bjoernstad
Member From: Oslo, Norway
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posted 19 May 2005 02:21 AM
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Hi Donny
Reece posted this regarding my steel some time ago.. I am 98% certain that it's all original. I did not bring up the pull/release question back then, but maybe Reece could give us note here in this thread? Does anyone know advantages/disadvantages on this changer system?
I have had the pick up rewound to 20+ kohms..
FrodeThis is from: http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/006794-3.html My MSA semiclassic s-10 with 4 pedals and 2 kneelevers made the trip from USA to up north here in Norway spring 2004. The Serialnumber is 1s107. Reese could you tell me what year and in what shape it left MSA ?
Frode Reece Anderson
posted 05 January 2005 01:14 PM
Frode B....Thank you for playing an MSA.
You have the distinction of owning one of the very first production MSA guitars ever made. At this point in time, your guitar is the oldest production model to which anyone has ever inquired. It goes so far back it was on the first page of the first production book.
At that time we didn't enter specific completion dates into record. I can however tell you it would have been made in middle to late 1973. It was originally shipped to "Coast Music". Reece Anderson (follow up post)
posted 06 January 2005 12:19 PM
Frode B....I have an update for you concerning your MSA.
New information brought to my attention during a conversation today at MSA provides the conclusion your guitar was made in May or June of 1971, which adds even more distinction to your guitar.
[This message was edited by Frode Bjoernstad on 19 May 2005 at 02:22 AM.] |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 29 May 2005 02:37 PM
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Frode, maybe your guitar has the same changer that was used in the old MSA Red Baron? That was a pretty cheap (single-finger) changer, and I just never saw one of those in a Semi-Classic before.[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 29 May 2005 at 02:38 PM.] |
Frode Bjoernstad
Member From: Oslo, Norway
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posted 01 June 2005 05:57 AM
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I guess you are right about the red baron changer on my MSA Donny.. I guess it's a S-10 classic with a Red Baron changer then. For good or worse ..? Is this a crappy system compared to Allpull and push/pull ? Here's a link to a Red Baron with a changer quite like mine : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7325823966&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW Thanks
Frode[This message was edited by Frode Bjoernstad on 01 June 2005 at 06:28 AM.] |
Frode Bjoernstad
Member From: Oslo, Norway
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posted 01 June 2005 06:13 AM
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All other details are exactly like this MSA http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=621&item=7327131505&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW ( pedals, levers, legs, rods, colour etc.) The pull system under the guitar is like the pro models, not like the red baron) I guess I should try to take some digital photos of the guitar and post here..Frode |
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