MSA serial number question

Brian Rung · Post by **Brian Rung** » 6 Dec 2008 2:47 pm

serial number 1S134, what year is it? It's a semi classic 3/4, guessing it was originally a 3/1. Any way to date these things?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 7 Dec 2008 7:02 am

I'd guess that's an early one from 1973. The Semi-Classics were far better guitars than the Sidekicks (which later became Red Barons), despite the price difference of only $200. Most came as 3+1 models, though they could also be ordered as 4+1, or 4+2.

Brian Rung · Post by **Brian Rung** » 7 Dec 2008 11:37 am

Thanks, love the guitar, it's the same one Darvin Willhoite updated a few years back, I can definately tell someone has gone through it, he modified the end plate so any of the strings could be double raised or lowered. It does everything I need it to do.

There is a litte "slop" in the klusons, it stays in tune, but when I change strings and tune it you can tell that the tuners should probably be replaced.

Wondering if a set of grovers or sperzels will fit without extra holes?

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 7 Dec 2008 2:31 pm

I have some doubt that that keyhead will work with any machines that have the "screw-in" top bushing. The holes in the keyhead would have to be drilled larger, and the inside edge of the keyhead would have to be machined in a "stairstep-style" like a Shobud. I think you'd be better off just replacing them with the same style machines.
Here's a pic of one of my Shobuds. I think you'll see what I'm talkin' about.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 7 Dec 2008 3:41 pm

Brian,Reese could proberly tell you the day is was made and who bought it.DYKBC.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 7 Dec 2008 5:52 pm

The "slop" in the old Klusons isn't a problem as long as you remember to tune UP all the time. Should you tune UP too far, and need to flatten the string just a little, just remember to tune it down past where it belongs, and then just tune it UP again (hopefully, without "overshooting" this time).

Brian Rung · Post by **Brian Rung** » 7 Dec 2008 6:37 pm

that's what I've been doing, maybe it bugs the guitar player in me more than anything.

The guitar stays and plays in perfect tune, my Blanton had grovers, I guess that's what I'm used to.

There's a set of Klusons (and a lot of other MSA parts) on ebay right now...

Will Sperzels fit in the holes? What about the Kluson style Ping tuners?

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 7 Dec 2008 7:29 pm

Sperzels will not fit. See my earlier post.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 8 Dec 2008 7:22 pm

Replacement tuners could be made to work. But as others have said, it would require drilling and machining (or counterboring) for the tuners and mounts. It's not a complicated job, and could be done easily with little more than a drill.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 8 Dec 2008 7:57 pm

No! It cannot be done with just a drill. The inside edge and the outside edge must be parallel. It will require machining the keyheads. Look again at the pic I posted of the Shobud keyhead. It should be obvious that it is NOT that simple.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 10 Dec 2008 11:24 am

No disrespect intended, but I beg to differ. Since the MSA keyhead is a 3-pc. affair, it's very easy to counterbore the inside so the counterbore is perpendicular to the outside surface.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 10 Dec 2008 1:06 pm

Donny, if you mean with a bore diameter large enough to allow some sort of wrench to engage the hex head of that tuner style, I agree. But with the necessity of the bore being flat-bottomed,and the requirement of approaching the keyhead surface at an angle, I'd think a machine shop, with a decent milling machine, would do a much better job. Just buying that mill might cost as much as a shop would charge to do the job! Given a good quality drill press, and a like quality vise, and experience using them, quite possible to do at home.
I still think the best thing to do is just replace the tuners with ones that actually fit, and use the old holes, including the ones for the mounting screws.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 10 Dec 2008 1:12 pm

As an added note about Sperzels, Bob now has a locking tuner that does not use the locking wheel. You just poke the string down the hollow shaft, and it locks, with no other action required. I almost used them on the above-pictured Shobud, but decided to stay with the original tuners.