Here are my thoughts:
First, that's a "Universal 12 string" steel - U-12 for short. This is very different from a typical S-10 (10-string single neck) or a D-10 (double neck) guitar. For example, your guitar has 8 pedals and 5 levers. That's typical for U-12's and D-10's. S-10's typically only have 3 pedals and 5 levers. Just so you know what you have.
That looks like either a first generation Millennium or a second - the M-2. Most M-2's have a sticker that says that on the front - but I have an M-2, and once had an M-3, that only had the "Millennium" sticker. To know for sure, look for the serial number - it's stamped into the end plate that's at the tuning peg end of the guitar - you have to get under or turn the guitar over to see it. I've had two Millenniums:
M D 0 5 2 0 0 8 - a Millenium D-10 M-3
M D 0 4 2 0 0 6 - a Millienium D-10 M-2
And what I remember (might be wrong) is this:
The M is the model - Millennium. D is double-neck. Not sure what yours will have - U? S? the next two numbers is I think the number of that particular steel for that year - and I think it is based on the model - so my M3 was the 5th double-neck made in 2008. And the M2 was the 4th double-neck made in 06.
There might be another letter for D-12's? I don't know. And I don't know if they followed this same numbering sequence in the earlier Millennium models - mine are both fairly late in the run. So give us your serial number and we can maybe tell you more - or maybe you know when your father ordered or received the steel?
There were changes between the M-1 and the M-2 that are not visually apparent, but supposedly pretty significant. One that is easy to spot, but I can't quite tell from your photos, is the changer - looking in the opening in the endplate to the changer, are there 6 or 7 holes to hold the pull rods? I think it looks like only 6 - if so, that indicates a first gen Millie. Somewhere in the forum is a discussion on Millies were I ask Johnny Cox, who use to work at MSA, and is back there now I think, about the changes made with the different generations. You can search for either my profile for all posts, or Johnny's, and should find it. Maybe search for "johnny" and with me as the author?
As for the ultimate amp to use - I find steeler's amp fashions change faster than those for steel guitar models. So opinions have moved on, but there are definite fans of Webb amps on the forum.
I'm guessing that the two bent metal things with the black plastic clips on them hold the "tab rack" - you put the clips onto the front legs (the side with the "Millennium" sticker and you have a music rack.
My advise would be to offer the steel and amp separately as the dual package might appeal to some, but not all. And shipping amps is expensive. Separating them makes the shipping better. If someone wants both, you could offer a slight discount if they buy the "full package".
All the other stuff is probably better to sell separately - DVD's and cassettes aren't worth much for the obvious reason. Stand-alone books are worth a little.
The biggest piece of advise I can give you is to be patient. There are steels that are very popular, and sell very quickly. The Millies are not that. They are highly respected, and have a strong group of fans who would not trade their Millie for anything currently on the market (count me as one). There are a lot of people who do not "get" the Millie - the benefits of carbon construction, for example. I live in the tropics, and love the stability of the carbon body. So decide on a decent price and then don't get talked into a cheap sale just to hurry the process.
Finding the right price, though, is not so easy. There is a definite premium paid for each newer generation of the Millies. Many only want an M3, but probably could not tell you what the differences are. There are other guitars with comparable mechanics (I've owned a couple of Zumsteels and would rate them equal to the Millie in the mechanical dept). But there is no other pedal steel with the carbon bodies. Look at carbon fiber guitars and violins - they are highly regarded and rather pricey. I would suggest looking at prices being asked for Universal 12-string steels built since about 2000 for a guideline. That's probably about when yours was made. Certain brands become very popular (translate that as expensive), like Zumsteels and Infinity. Zumsteel guitars shot way up in price soon after Bruce stopped making them. Before that, they were priced about the same as any similar quality used steel.
Current price for an MSA Studio Pro S-12, 8x5 is $5995. The Studio Pro is basically a wood version of the Millie. There have no doubt been a few changes over the years - I think the Studio Pro, and all other current MSA's use a 24 1/4" scale length vs. the 24" of Millie's and older MSA's. Also the Studio Pro will have newer changer designs, which date from the M-2, I think.
That's my take on it, anyway. I hope it helps. Good luck with the sale.
EDIT: I searched for the thread with Johnny C I mentioned, and had forgotten that I started a separate thread and copied the info over to carry that discussion on. Here's the thread:
viewtopic.php?t=386061
. You pedal steel guys have my respect 100%.
