What is going on with MSA?

Niels Andrews · Post by **Niels Andrews** » 12 Nov 2013 8:54 am

Anybody know any information about MSA since Reece is gone? Are they actively pursuing business in the Steel Guitar World or are they going in a different direction? Just wondering.

Kyle Bennett · Post by **Kyle Bennett** » 12 Nov 2013 10:15 am

Niels,
We're building new MSA's everyday. If you have any questions, please call me at 214-388-0461 ext.114 or email www.kyle@msapedalsteels.com.
Kyle

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 12 Nov 2013 1:45 pm

Recently rebuilt by Kyle and the boys at MSA. Fantastic job.

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 13 Nov 2013 5:44 am

MSA! Best built, best playing, best looking, best sounding pedal steel guitars ever built. In my personal opinion.

Jason Lynch · Post by **Jason Lynch** » 13 Nov 2013 6:28 am

utterly gorgeous colour. Love it!

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 13 Nov 2013 8:08 am

Thanks Jason,it's one of those colours that changes depending on light,deep Burgandy to a much lighter shade when stage lights hit it.Just love it

Dale Ware · Post by **Dale Ware** » 13 Nov 2013 11:42 am

What Bill said. My opinion also.

Greg Johnson · Post by **Greg Johnson** » 13 Nov 2013 12:58 pm

I have 73 classic (Kyle helped me research it) and it's still the best playing guitar I have ever owned. And I have owned a few.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 13 Nov 2013 2:52 pm

considering the millenium is one of the most advanced steels of the new age, i don't understand why one would need to be 'rebuilt' so soon.

John Sluszny · Post by **John Sluszny** » 13 Nov 2013 3:53 pm

chris ivey wrote:considering the millenium is one of the most advanced steels of the new age, i don't understand why one would need to be 'rebuilt' so soon.

Yes,good question !

Kyle Bennett · Post by **Kyle Bennett** » 13 Nov 2013 4:10 pm

Chris and John,
Malcolm's 2003 model Millennium guitar was stripped and repainted. The original color was baby blue. After Malcolm purchased the baby blue Mill, he asked us to refinish it in our Brandywine Metallic finish. While we had the guitar stripped down we also added the latest upgrades.

Dale Ware · Post by **Dale Ware** » 13 Nov 2013 4:20 pm

I have a 2004 Mille and it plays better than my 2013 Legend. I don't think MSA's wear out. I have a 1976 The Universal and it still plays very well. I have owned about every American made brand except Franklin and a few foriegn brands and MSA is much more advanced than any of the others in my opion. Dale

John Sluszny · Post by **John Sluszny** » 13 Nov 2013 4:30 pm

Kyle Bennett wrote:Chris and John,
Malcolm's 2003 model Millennium guitar was stripped and repainted. The original color was baby blue. After Malcolm purchased the baby blue Mill, he asked us to refinish it in our Brandywine Metallic finish. While we had the guitar stripped down we also added the latest upgrades.

Very satisfying answer indeed !
Thanks.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 13 Nov 2013 7:31 pm

I have a Millennium, a Legend, a Studio Pro, and a couple of older MSA's, and they are all fantastic guitars. MSA's are the only steel guitars I own now.

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 14 Nov 2013 3:32 am

Chris,as Kyle said, when I got my Milly it was a baby blue ( see first page of show us your MSA) and to be truthfull I did not like it, the guitar was mechanically great.I had spoken to Kyle a few times about changing colour, but being over here in Scotland time to do this was a big issue.Eventually ,as I think the financial climate created less work for us all, I had more down time and decided to get it done, as a friend ,who is a house player only,let me borrow his Derby for gigs.I took it over to the Dallas show in March,and after a long talk with Kyle,it was decided that as it was going to be stripped down completely I would get all the mechanics brought up to the latest specs,and add the vertical lever,thus giving me a "new" guitar.The "old guitar" played great , but I thought I may as well have the latest upgrades and had NOTHING to do with guitar being worn out, I could probably have played it for the next twenty years if I had liked the colour.I can't praise Kyle and the boys highly enough for the work done on it.The standard of design and engineering on MSA's is second to none, how many other guitars let you adjust everything whilst sitting behind it.So anyone thinking of an MSA speak to Kyle ,you cannot get a better guy to deal with,a real gentleman.Quality product worth every penny (cent).

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 14 Nov 2013 3:46 am

Darvin , I always find myself green with envy at your fantastic " herd" of MSA's let alone all the other goodies in pictures, enjoy my friend.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 14 Nov 2013 6:02 am

Thanks Malcolm, like you, I think MSA makes the best steel guitar ever. These pictures are a couple of years old, and I have downsized considerably getting ready for retirement in a few years. Most of the amps are gone, especially the heavy ones.

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 14 Nov 2013 8:15 am

Malcolm McMaster wrote: I would get all the mechanics brought up to the latest specs.

May I ask what these changes were as I have an 05 Legend and would love to know what/why?

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 14 Nov 2013 8:33 am

I believe there were changes to changer, different bell cranks and connecting rods, I had a carbon pedal rack, and had that replaced by new chromed one, and neck was modified.Kyle could probably detail changes if you contact him.As to why? why not as guitar was stripped for painting might a well add any upgrades.

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 14 Nov 2013 8:42 am

Thanks Malcolm. The "why" was more to address reasons upgrades are available technically speaking, not why would you want them, so others with similar guitars might access the value to upgrade themselves.

Kyle, what can you tell us that may improve our guitars as well?

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 14 Nov 2013 8:54 am

Slim if it helps I have added pics of new underside.On old one the connecting rods used a barrel/ Allen key fixing, and bell cranks did not have as many holes for adjustment.The neck was modified to put pick up adjusters on outside instead of being buried internally.

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 14 Nov 2013 8:59 am

Thanks again. My guitar has those two features, great ones by the way. Kyle, any other mods we may benefit from?

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 14 Nov 2013 9:36 am

Slim, if you run into my good friend Barbara Nesbitt with the Whiskey Sisters in Austin ,give her my regards and tell her she needs a steel in the band.

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 14 Nov 2013 9:39 am

I will, and doesn't every band need steel?

Archie Nicol R.I.P. · Post by **Archie Nicol R.I.P.** » 15 Nov 2013 6:16 pm

I get what you say about the light hitting the guitar finish, Malcolm. Finally got a decent lightbulb in the back room. I do miss playing live. Doesn't help the tone, though. That was already there.

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