I've only been involved with MSA since 2003 but I've loved the guitars for years. I remember when Paul Franklin played one with Barbara Mandrell. I played Curly Chalker's a few times and others from MSA's first era. Of coarse I believe that the MSA of today is the best pedal steel on the market, but I'm a tad partial. I would love to see as many of your MSA's as possible. Old ones and new ones. Bring them on.
BTW, I'm on the road but when I get home I'll put a pic of mine up too.
Last edited by Johnny Cox on 20 Nov 2017 5:33 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967.
Thank you! Malcolm. The picture does not do the guitar justice. There is a slight metal flake which can't be seen in the picture. The credit for the beautiful flawless finish, would have to go to "Kyle Bennett", who is a perfectionist when it comes to detail.
Here is my purple one that Johnny made for me, including the wrist lever he designed. (Thank you Johnny.)
Here's the picture of the white one that was posted on E-bay. (I can't believe I found a U-12 Millennium 3 on E-bay, and I'm really curious about the history of the guitar before I got it.)
Here it is after I decorated it.
And here's me in 2002, playing my green Classic. which I no longer own.
I don't think anybody makes a better guitar. There are a lot of great steels out there, but I truly believe MSA makes the finest steel guitars in the world.
Here they are again. Reece says I have an MSA museum, with one from about every MSA era. Best steels ever built, (my personal opinion, your mileage may vary) and Johnny sets them up perfectly.
I no longer own the Superslide, I just didn't have time to learn non-pedal and stay halfway decent on pedals. I also sold the S12 in the center of the back row, but I have a couple of others to replace it that are being restored now. One of them was one of Reece's personal guitars that was used on the "Universal Direction" album and on some episodes of "Dallas" as well as a movie or two.
I sent Kyle a picture of my Gibson ES137 and told him I wanted my Legend to match it. They done good didn't they.
Here's a close up of my Classic SS.
Here's the "White Knight".
And last but not least "The Patriot".
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.
My beautiful 80's walnut SD-12 "The Universal". The guitar that all others are compared to in my book. The deepest biggest tone of any guitar I've played. This one fills the room up. It would be awesome if we could post the serial #'s of these great guitars also. I'll start "1C-6965"
Here's one Johnny built-I think the black twill is the coolest of the carbon fibre finishes-very pomo-industrial. It doesn't hurt that it sounds and plays great, either.
Last edited by Steve Alcott on 23 Sep 2011 12:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
In case anybody is interested, there remains one beautiful lacquer/maple U-12 from the old days that has never been sold.
Either Reece or Jim Palenscar, I'm not sure who, found the cabinet a few years ago, and Jim added the changer and other necessary parts, some of which he might have made himself.
Jim now has the guitar in his shop. It is brand new and the last of its kind.
Jim, if you're reading this, please post pictures of both that guitar and your gorgeous blue Legend.
This one is 100% original. MSA D-10 Classic 8x4, serial # 2C 5432. Built December '76. She's exactly 3 years older than me. It was originally shipped to Ridenhour Music in Salem, Va. Thanks to Mr. Reece for the info!
I'm running her through a Hilton pedal, and a '76 Session 400 w/BW 1501-4. I've seen, owned, and played alot of steels, and
Anybody that says MSA's don't sound good, don't know how to play!
Here is a picture of my other former MSA classic. I sold this one to help pay for the white Milly.
Since I had one white one before and now have another, I've been asked if I prefer white steels. The answer is not particularly. Both steels were used when I got them, and the fact that they're both white is purely a coincidence. (As is the fact that I'm wearing the same shirt in both pictures. )