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Pickup retrofit on MSA Classic (Page 2)
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
Pickup retrofit on MSA Classic (Page 2)
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| This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: Pickup retrofit on MSA Classic |
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Dave Van Allen Member Posts: 5369 |
posted 18 August 2000 10:22 AM
we're talking a circa 1973 pre- "Super Sustain" MSA D10 Classic with the narrow single coils on it. What is required to update this guitar with modern wide humbuckers (like a Lawrence) how much dis-assembly and woodworking ?? is it something one might attempt at home sans wood shop? |
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Donny Hinson Member Posts: 9192 |
posted 18 August 2000 05:53 PM
Nothing really fancy there Dave, but you DO want to do a neat job. The cutouts in the neck can be opened up (after removing the strings and pickups) with a simple handheld router. If you use a piece of plywood to keep it above the bridge blocks, and make a simple "template jig" out of wood, plastic or metal, the job can be done without removing the necks. Of course, if you want to remove the necks (to make the job easier and safer), that would be OK too. Mounting the pickups is no big deal, all they gotta do is stay where you put 'em. The stock pickups are "shock-mounted" on sponge-rubber spacer blocks, and retained by two screws. A mounting plate really isn't necessary. (But don't try this job yourself if you've got about "zero" woodworking experience, you've got a nice looking axe there!) How come you're changin'? [This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 18 August 2000 at 05:54 PM.] |
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Dave Van Allen Member Posts: 5369 |
posted 18 August 2000 06:32 PM
Because I fought the guitar from practically day one (and I am the original owner so that's what, 27 years?) for 1) Inherent and consistent Buzzzzzzzing 2) Sustain 3) Tone ( I never quite won that battle although thru the years we came to a cease fire) and I feel I owe the old beast a makeover... maybe I should jus' call Jenny "My MSA Dresses Too Slutty for Her Age and is Jealous of my New Beautiful Zum" Jones I probably should have done it years ago and been a happier picker for longer, but I couldn't afford the downtime to try it, not having a spare axe until I bought the Zum,( which I am extremely happy with, and it is and will continue to be my main squeeze- I just wanna boff the MSA once in a while for old time's sake- oops got caught up in the Jenny Jones thing again- sorry |
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Jon Light Member Posts: 6528 |
posted 18 August 2000 06:44 PM
I won't even bother to remonstrate against that MSAgynistic statement. However I will remind you that a power tool is not a toy.  Seriously, the routing job Donny describes is relatively simple and risk free if you have a proper template/guide and have it well clamped/adhered. And really know what you are doing. The router, more than any other tool I've worked with, can do more damage, faster and better. I don't mean trivial stuff like fingers. I mean real good runaway damage to the work piece. I've made up some really good cuss words after ruining perfectly good wood. No chance that Bill Lawrence has anything that would fit? |
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Michael Brebes Member Posts: 507 |
posted 21 August 2000 04:56 AM
I replaced the pickup on a S10 Classic without too much difficulty. If you replaced it with a Lawrence 710, which I did, you have the option of either using the wide mount or end mount pickup. My preference is the wide mount. I used the pickup to mark the neck top for extra routing. With the strings off, I opened up the hole on the side away from the changer and it went fairly easy. You can then either use the old rubber pieces or some new rubber insulation with the glue on the back, then I used #8 stainless steel sheet metal screws through the pickup mounting holes. It turned it into a great sounding guitar. The other option would be to use the end mount, but you would have to route the neck all the way out on both sides so that it is open all the way across, and then you still might have to make the pickup hole just a bit wider. I think replacing the pickup is well worth it. The tone was so much better. And, as a consolation, I decided to put the pickup on Ebay, to get rid of it, and somebody ran the price up to about $40 for it, which brought the replacement cost down. |
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Curry Coster Member Posts: 83 |
posted 21 August 2000 05:29 AM
Hey, Dave- About 20 years ago Don Moore and I routed the pickup wells on my MSA. Don did most (if not all) of the routing with a Dremel tool equipped with a router base and a small straight-cutting bit. As I recall, we also had to drill new holes through the body for the mounting screws. Took us all night to finish, but Don did a great job. Maybe he still has that Dremel tool... Curry [This message was edited by Curry Coster on 21 August 2000 at 05:30 AM.] |
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Dave Van Allen Member Posts: 5369 |
posted 21 August 2000 11:05 AM
Thanks for the responses folks! I expect to get 710's or something similar, and multi talented Mr John Swain has the tools and woodworking expertise I lack. Once I get the PU's he and I shall get together on the project. Once completed I will file a brief. or file my nails. or something.... |
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