Advise needed on MSA steel for sale

Brian Scott · Post by **Brian Scott** » 12 Oct 2014 10:51 am

New member and first time posting here.
I just looked at an older MSA for sale.
Classic SS with the original pickup from around 1980.
Excellent condition with case and Peavey Session 400.
Do you think 1200. is a good price for the package? Any thoughts about that particular model and year for a beginner on pedal steel. I play lap steel but have a burning desire to play and hear pedal steel.

Thanks in advance for any guidance on this matter!

Bill Moore (RIP) · Post by **Bill Moore (RIP)** » 12 Oct 2014 11:21 am

That's a very good price, the guitar alone is worth more than that. It would be a good choice for anyone, beginner or not.

Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 12 Oct 2014 11:47 am

MSA guitars are built to last. They are one of the more solid built guitars around today. They are a little bit heavy but if you are in good health, that is not an issue. I think it is a great price on a great setup.

Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 12 Oct 2014 11:48 am

Edited

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 12 Oct 2014 12:25 pm

That's a smokin' deal! Also, the Classic SS may be heavier than some, but it is the lightest of the old Classic MSA's.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 12 Oct 2014 1:11 pm

I had a Classic SS D-10 and foolishly sold it because I had another axe and didn't think I needed more than one pedal steel. Very good guitars.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 12 Oct 2014 2:24 pm

Welcome to the forum and to the pedal steel.
I second Donny.
1: the guitar is worth more than the deal
2: to most steel players, the Session 400 is one of the best two steel amps Peavey ever made. It's worth 3-400
And MSA is VERY well-built, and its only real drawback is its heft. I have owned one other, and still own one. Excellent guitar.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 12 Oct 2014 5:04 pm

When I sold my green MSA shown in my avatar, I got $1,500 for it. And this was an earlier model, not as good as the SS.

This is a great deal on a great steel and amp combination. You should definitely jump on this.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 12 Oct 2014 6:48 pm

If you decide not to take that deal I will.. its a fantastic bargain....

Bill C. Buntin · Post by **Bill C. Buntin** » 12 Oct 2014 7:20 pm

Brian it is definitely a good deal. I feel like Bob, if you don't grab it, I'll take it.

I had a 1981 D10 SS, (my 2nd pedal steel) wonderful piece of Bud Carter art and craftsmanship

and for all, a bit of trivia.

I played mine for over a year and thought it was a Classic 55
Then I realized it was SS and natural figured it meant "Super-Sustain"
Reece finally squared.me away on the SS

So who all knows what SS means?

Brian Scott · Post by **Brian Scott** » 12 Oct 2014 7:33 pm

Thanks so much for all the good info on this prospect.
Should be jumping on that soon after sleeping on the decision tonight.
BTW / the SS stands for the Super Sustainer pickup...
am I right?
I read some posts saying that the SS pickup in particular should be replaced for better tone... any thoughts?

Chris Johnson · Post by **Chris Johnson** » 12 Oct 2014 7:57 pm

I personally liked the SS-II pickup I have in my old "The Universal". Even had it rewound by Jerry Wallace at Truetone when it become too microphonic to play (even though that's when the guitar sounded best) without loud knocks and pops from the mechanics .

I don't think changing the pickups out of that guitar would give you better tone but perfect practice and good technique definitely would.

If you had to change them out due to recording purposes or debilitating hum, I would recommend the Lawrence 710 in that model guitar.

Dustin Rigsby · Post by **Dustin Rigsby** » 12 Oct 2014 8:04 pm

Can't go wrong with that deal!

Bill C. Buntin · Post by **Bill C. Buntin** » 12 Oct 2014 8:17 pm

Brian, I put BL705 on the e neck and a geo Ls 10-1 on the c6. Mine came with super sustain II pickups. The c6 tone was astounding. As Chris noted, having the ssII pickups rewound is a great improvement too. When I got serious about trying to learn, the MSA was the perfect guitar. They are solid, plenty of parts available. You can't ask for a better amp to go with it. It's a swell deal.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 12 Oct 2014 8:25 pm

ToneAligner sounds amazing in an MSA. At least in my 12.
But really, give the stock one a little while.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 13 Oct 2014 3:09 am

You can always put in a different pickup. The first order of business is to buy the guitar and amp.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 13 Oct 2014 3:42 am

I thought it was Super Small (but at 6 AM, I'm not sure).
And they don't need a pickup change, IMO. They sound pretty dang good as is.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 13 Oct 2014 7:15 am

The original pickups were called SuperSustain, not just in the SS guitars but also in the larger-bodied instruments MSA made at that point (they were all lacquer as I recall). But "SS" stood for "Super Small". I bought mine in the early 80's from Al Brisco. I put BL 705's in it and thought it made a difference.

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 13 Oct 2014 7:38 am

like bill&bob said great guitars .i had three of them
and foolish sold them all bad mistake. i would jump on the guitar

p.w

Lee Dassow · Post by **Lee Dassow** » 13 Oct 2014 8:50 am

Great deal, I paid $1100.00 for my MSA D-10 Classic and it needed a pickup on E9th. Where the heck did you find that deal. I want it! Tennessee Lee

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Oct 2014 1:40 pm

As others have said, "SS" and "SuperSustain" aren't the same thing. If it's indeed a "Classic SS", it will say that on the front (keyhead side) of the cabinet. If it's not a "Classic SS", but just says "Classic" on the keyhead side of the cabinet, and has "SuperSustain" on the pickup and/or the neck, then it's probably a regular Classic model with the upgraded pickup. If so, it's still a good guitar and good deal, though.

Lee Dassow · Post by **Lee Dassow** » 13 Oct 2014 2:27 pm

Curious, where is this package. It's not on Ebay.
Perhaps a local sale? T.L.

J R Rose · Post by **J R Rose** » 13 Oct 2014 6:16 pm

The Classic SS by MSA is a great guitar. Tough as a tank but not as heavy. I had a bright Red one which I wish I still had. As someone else said they were all lacquer finish. The SS stood for Super Small because they were compact. Not as long and not as wide and weight less than the MSA Classic. If I were you I would run, not walk to where ever this set is and buy it now. That is a very good buy. Thanks, J.R.

Bill C. Buntin · Post by **Bill C. Buntin** » 13 Oct 2014 7:48 pm

Super small is a fact.

Chris Johnson · Post by **Chris Johnson** » 13 Oct 2014 7:48 pm

Sure wish I could have read some of Reece's input on this topic. R.I.P.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Advise needed on MSA steel for sale

Advise needed on MSA steel for sale

msa classic ss d-10