posted 22 January 2002 07:18 AM         

In appreciation of those who worked with MSA, some whom have passed on, and as past president of the corporation, I have an obligation to present and maintain accurate information relative to the history of MSA. I have done so in the past, and will continue. In so doing when necessary and possible I will provide documented evidence, statements by credible people, a timeline, and a logical premise with which to consider.

I’m sure we can all agree time has the ability to erode, distort, and in some cases, erase memory. Considering the fact MSA was born 39 years ago, naturally things can become a little hazy, and therefore need to be examined when a question arises or a comment is made which is in conflict with the truth of MSA’s history.

After reviewing existing records, and having conversations with different people connected with MSA in the past, the following is my response to comments recently made on this forum, which I most certainly construe as having been well meaning and intended.

It is anyone’s right and prerogative to consider MSA as being produced in “series”. This however was never contemplated or eluded too within the confines of MSA, or anything I have ever written concerning the history of MSA. Everything MSA produced from day one was considered by MSA to be that of an evolutionary process, not defined by “series” relative to a timeline.

The seeds were sewn for MSA prior to 1963, however since I was not involved in a business relationship with any of the other parties before that time, I will abstain from comment. I can however say, of the two who were to my knowledge previously involved, and since Danny Shields has passed away, I would consider Tom Morrell as the authority, prior to 1963.

MSA was the last name initials of the three men who formed MSA in 1963. Those same three signed on the original “financial assistance loan” with which to begin production, and those same names were also included in “state filing for business” records. Those names were, Morrell, Shields and Anderson. (MSA)

Concerning comment about Chuck Wright and his association with MSA. Chuck is a dear friend and an extremely hard worker who loves steel guitar. He was a great steel guitar builder, a talented player, and not only a pioneer of the industry, but an innovator as well.

Chuck joined MSA in 1969. It was decided upon his coming here, that he would complete a few orders he had for the “Wright Custom” steel guitar. While here he started production on a new guitar called the Imperial, which MSA sold. MSA had no input into the design of his “Imperial” guitar, nor did he have any relative to the MSA design.

I have never heard the term “Stan Bennett design” attached to MSA. Stan Bennett was president of Micro, and I was president of MSA. A short time after meeting we decided it would be mutually beneficial were we to form a new corporation, which we named MSA Micro Inc. Stan is one of my dearest friends, most certainly a man of unquestionable character, faith and conviction, and one of the people I most admire. He would be the first to acknowledge the fact he was not the designer of the MSA guitar.

Bobbe S. indicates a time line in which he left Dallas, and he did so prior to Bud Carter’s arrival at MSA in 1964. This timeline has been verified during a recent conversation with Bud.

Bobbe so stated: “Some folks we built guitars for were Bobby Garrett, Don Helms, Doyle Grissom, Snazz Wall and that’s when I woke up, moved to Nashville”.

I have production records in my possession written in Tom Morrells hand writing, that verify the guitars made for Bobby Garrett and Don Helms were produced years after Bobbe left. The records verify without question that Don Helms guitar is serial number 2-0005 completed on July 28th 1967, and Bobby Garretts guitar, serial number 2-0010 was completed on November 1st 1967. These records and Bobbe’s statement indicate the erosion of a timeline. Again I must reiterate, it is not my intention to be condescending, but to maintain a correct history. We will all agree anyone can make a mistake or get events mixed up which happened almost four decades ago.

I was working at McCord Music in Dallas when I made the decision to become involved in building steel guitars. However, immediately upon making the decision to do so, I terminated my employment at the music store and began devoting full workdays to MSA. My doing so was essential to get a new business started, therefore logic will dictate this as being true. In addition to working at the music store 6 days a week, I was also playing 6 nights a week. My playing job then became my only income source until MSA began production.

I regret the possibility this response statement runs the risk of being construed as a conflict, or condescending to anyone, when in reality such is not intentionally intended or implied, nor do I interpret any premeditated intent to distort on the part of anyone.

posted 22 January 2002 10:55 AM         

Should anyone want to discuss this further on a personal level, I will be delighted to do so.

posted 22 January 2002 12:15 PM         

I think in small business corporations, like my wife's Barton Creek Animal Clinic, Kathy is president, secretary, treasurer, and sole stockholder.

Okay, go back to the history lesson... Herb out.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 22 January 2002 at 12:17 PM.]

posted 22 January 2002 04:55 PM         

Got any grapes?

posted 23 January 2002 08:32 AM         

quote:

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If you will remember, you wern't even around at this time.

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posted 23 January 2002 09:27 AM         

Oh yeah, gotta add these just in case anyone gets TOO serious on us here!

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

posted 23 January 2002 09:57 AM         

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My Web Page
Sierra S-12 9&7
Peavey-2000-PX-300

posted 23 January 2002 11:36 AM         

Ts

[This message was edited by TS MCDONALD on 23 January 2002 at 11:38 AM.]

posted 23 January 2002 01:17 PM         

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

posted 23 January 2002 01:38 PM         

Bobbe

[This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 24 January 2002 at 08:41 PM.]

posted 23 January 2002 02:05 PM         

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 23 January 2002 at 02:06 PM.]