m.s.a. help

Tom Sosbe · Post by **Tom Sosbe** » 26 Feb 2015 9:58 am

I got this old m.s.a. in a trade. it plays good and sounds good. the underside is a mess. it is a converted d-11. my ? should I redo it, sell it as is, or part it out.
thanks
tom

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 26 Feb 2015 10:10 am

That is a very very early MSA. The serial number must be very low.

99.96 percent of old MSAs have a very much different and improved undercarriage so any parts would have to be for a very specific buyer.

I have no ideas othrt than clean er up and make do.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 26 Feb 2015 10:57 am

Tom Sosbe wrote: it plays good and sounds good. the underside is a mess. it is a converted d-11...
my ? should I redo it, sell it as is, or part it out.

It depends. An early SD-11 might be rare.
If it plays well, why sell?

On the other hand, I don't see how it could play well with the rodding as it is. Old pedal attachments. Looks like a nightmare.
How much would you sell it to me for?

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 26 Feb 2015 11:08 am

yeah, i don't think somebody will want to spend big bucks on it. course what do i know?
i think it would be an interesting steel to clean up and get it working well and use it. being an 11 string makes it kind of unique. tom brumley played 11 strings.
there will be a learning curve figuring out the early msa system, but probably doable with patience and logic.

Tom Sosbe · Post by **Tom Sosbe** » 26 Feb 2015 11:35 am

Charlie; pm sent.

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 26 Feb 2015 1:43 pm

I can pretty much tell u thats its NOT an REAL SD-11
MSA didn't do that back in 66..67..68..etc..
Some one has messed with that guitar..it is NOT orig. how much do u want for it..cash or hoss tradeing??

Dan Auldridge · Post by **Dan Auldridge** » 26 Feb 2015 1:57 pm

hello ive got a little word of advice.. SELL IT AND BE HAPPY .. I still have one just like it and was brave enough to tear it down and clean it. that's not bad but if you pull out those changers you mite as well us it for a fishing weight cause its a nite mare getting them back in rite. Again sell and be happy.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 26 Feb 2015 2:17 pm

Did MSA ever make an undercarriage like a ZB? If they did, it must be really early. If they didn't, why would anybody want too? Don't know that much about MSA's but I tend to go with Junior Knight, that's not a real MSA at all, not all of it anyway.

Tom Sosbe · Post by **Tom Sosbe** » 26 Feb 2015 2:26 pm

I know it's strange but changer only has 11 fingers. maybe this thing is valuable. (I don't think so) thanks for all your help. I think I'm going to turn it into a 3&2. then sell it cheep. I have 4 or 5 interested I will let you all know.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 26 Feb 2015 3:01 pm

It never ceases to amaze me the things that people can do to a guitar trying to make it better. I don't see how the pedals can even work or the knee levers either.
Tom, you got your work cut out for you. Still like to know if MSA every made a guitar with ZB type crossbars. First one I've ever seen if they did.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 26 Feb 2015 3:02 pm

Yes, that's a real MSA! It probably dates from the mid '60s (MSA started in 1964). Rebuilding would be pointless, and profit-less as well. Play it like it is, or sell it. (Old MSA guitars won't likely have any "collector value" for another 50 years.) No, it's not as good as the later "Micro" models, but it can be made to play decently.

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 26 Feb 2015 3:09 pm

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... highlight=

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 26 Feb 2015 3:16 pm

junior, you know about this era of msa. he said it was converted from a d10..obviously. (oops...i mean d11) you could probably turn it into a usable axe.

henry, msa first was using that zb type pull train and it probably is original old parts.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 26 Feb 2015 4:12 pm

Deleted

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 26 Feb 2015 4:22 pm

Bill, Junior attested to the pull train. They started like that, but QUICKLY went to round rods.
I suspect that was right around the transition time, since it has some of each.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 26 Feb 2015 4:37 pm

delete

Tom Sosbe · Post by **Tom Sosbe** » 26 Feb 2015 6:28 pm

ok this what it is. a very early msa. the zb type bars are original the round bars have been very poorly cobbled in. the tuning head has 11 fingers. the pick-up has 11 magnets. I also have the 11 string tuning head and pick-up that came off the back neck. I think I have enough parts to make a playable 3 pedal 2 knee guitar. I hate to sell something that is junk. when I get it done it will sell cheep. or if it bon't work I will part it out.

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 26 Feb 2015 8:36 pm

Bill..yes it is a real msa but NOT a SD-11..is what I tryed to say...it had 2 necks...someone took the bottom neck off.MSA in 1966 ..I think..had the crossbars like a ZB...I have a D-12 ..1970..that I ordered new in 70 I am restoring now. The knee levers are msa...bell cranks are msa

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 26 Feb 2015 11:21 pm

Thanks for the info on the cross bars y'all. Didn't know MSA did that.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 27 Feb 2015 4:58 am

delete

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 27 Feb 2015 8:57 am

I don't have it Bill, Tom Sosbe does

Tom Sosbe · Post by **Tom Sosbe** » 27 Feb 2015 9:08 am

here you go bill.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 27 Feb 2015 11:05 am

Sorry

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 27 Feb 2015 11:32 am

as tom said in the very first post!

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 27 Feb 2015 11:35 am

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