Need a few MSA parts ans pointers!

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 6 Sep 2005 8:14 am

I posted over on the "items wanted" section of the forum a few weeks back! I lost the emails for one supplier! I have the needed bell cranks but need the inserts (for a lack of the correct term) that hold the rod and allow it to pivot in the bell crank. I need two of them, nylon tuning nuts an 18" rod and a 24" rod, a little longer is fine. Any idea who has parts?

I got a few adapters from Fred Shannon (Thanks, Fred!!) to change a lower to a raise. Not sure how those work yet, but I am studying this as we speak!

I have fixed a lot of things in the past and am pretty mechanical. This is just one more new challenge.

The steel is a MSA Classic, U-12. It seems to have both 3/32 and 1/8 rods in it. From the manual it appears 1/8" was the original rod size. Any insight appreciated. I believe these steels were originally setup for Bb6- U12. As it is now an E9th/B6 I need another raise on th 4th string for the sixth pedal and a lower on the 8th string to D to have it complete. Also looks like I need a triple raise on the 5th string. That makes three rods I need!<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Ken Fox on 07 September 2005 at 07:11 AM.]</p></FONT>

Don Poland · Post by **Don Poland** » 7 Sep 2005 4:10 am

Try getting ahold of Wayne Link at http://www.linkonguitars.ca/

He and his wife Joan are both great people to deal with. I ordered a bunch of parts from Wayne for a rebuild on my MSA D10 Classic and had them sent to Bobby Bowman in Tx. Wayne will do you right!!!

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1974 MSA D10 7+4
If you ain't steelin' it, you ain't feelin' it !!

www.steelin4fun.com

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 7 Sep 2005 4:21 am

Ken.. what Don said.. Wayne's MSA parts are dead nuts perfect.. NO need to go anywhere else... I have played and worked on MSA guitars for many years.. I find them a snap to work on, and have never seen a better engineered or more reliable mechanism, even now 30 years after the "heyday" of MSA... If ever a question email me.... I may be able top help out.. bob

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 7 Sep 2005 4:43 am

Thanks for the info! I am considering tearing the guitar down, pulling the changer and doing a thorough cleaning and lubrication. Never done it but I am mechanically inclined. The steel is immaculate, but due to its age I think it time for the a real good tune-up!

Daniel J. Cormier · Post by **Daniel J. Cormier** » 7 Sep 2005 6:23 am

Ken
Wayne Link is great. You can find a list of parts and prices on his web-site.

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Daniel J. Cormier EmmonsSKH LeGrande D-10
EVans FET 500 LV ,ProFex II
http://www.cajunsteelguitar.com email at djcormier@cox-internet.com

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 7 Sep 2005 7:05 am

Ken, check your email...phred

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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 7 Sep 2005 8:24 am

For the 1/8" stainless steel rods, I just went to a local metal supplier and they had the rod. They are usually cut with a 5-40 thread. You can get the die and handle from a local tool supplier or McMaster Carr online. You need to make sure to use oil on the die and rod while you're cutting the threads and clamp the rod into a vise. I got the nylon nuts at an electronic parts supplier.

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 7 Sep 2005 8:44 am

I still may make the rods. I have contacted two suppliers on them so far. The main thing I need is the rollers that inert in the bell cranks. Looks like Wayne Link will have it all. I am going to re-visit the steel when I get home this weekend and see if I need more parts. I am thinking now I need 4 rods added, not two!

Also still considering a complete tear-down, inspection, lubrication and re-assembly.

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 7 Sep 2005 11:53 am

Looks like Fred has got some more parts for me, Thanks! Also Tom Bradshaw will likely do all the rest of the parts for me. Thanks also to Tom for the great advise on how to tear down and lubricate the changer!