Msa classic pedal bar question

[Fred Rushing]

I have a msa classic mid 70's. The pedal bar has 9 positions on it. I have 3 and 4 standard E9 set up.

I would like to remove these extra pedal brackets. It appears the are held in place by role pins. Has anyone had any luck removing these brackets?

Fred

[Donny Hinson]

I'd have to know what your reasoning is to give a definitive answer. It's challenging because the 3 roll pins that secure the brackets are split, and they're harder than then aluminum bar and brackets. They could be drilled or milled out. Or, they could be removed by a machine shop that has EDM capabilities. But frankly, the milling/drilling is probably not worth the effort, and the EDM route would be expensive. There are other methods that might also work, like a razor saw, or a big hammer & punch, but either of those could do some obvious (cosmetic) damage to the inside surface of the pedal bar.

[Fred Rushing]

It was just for cosmetic and cleaning reasons. I can see it is not worth the effort.

It's a great guitar but I won't be trying to remove them.

Thanks donny for your input.

Fred

[Bobby D. Jones]

Leaving the pedal bar the way its built is a good way to go.

I played a MSA classic 4 X 4 for over 20 years. Looked at that pedal bar and debated removing the extra pedal brackets.

Growing up in a mechanical repair shop, Went to machinist school, Worked in a machine shop, And ran and worked on machines for Westinghouse making light bulbs.

My thought is. It was more work and danger to damaging the pedal bar than it was worth. I sold the guitar with all the pedal brackets still on the bar, A couple years ago.

[Bob Carlucci]

one day you might want to sell it and the next owner might want to add pedals.. as others have said, and thankfully, you agreed , leave them be.. They have caused no problem for well over 40 years, MSA Classic guitars can be upgraded/added to very easily and fairly economically, one of the things that always made them desirable and versatile... bob

[Bobby D. Jones]

Roll pins are a curse. Roll Pins are used as string pins on some steel guitar changer fingers.
If one breaks off, Drilling a new hole in the finger for pin, Or replacing the finger, Is the only cure for the problem.

If not installed with a hole through the part, So the pin can be driven through and out. Makes removing the pin near impossible

First they are made of spring steel. About the same hardness of a drill bit. With the slot on the side, A drill bit will catch on the slot and break the cutting edge, Or the drill bit will twist out in the aluminum part. And make a wreck of the part you are trying to repair.