Msa Classic

compuserve · From: ENGLAND

I have been offered a superb looking MSA CLASSIC S10 5X4 in exchange for my rebuilt SHO-BUD.The MSA has a GLE66 p/u fitted would this be worth a swap?as the SHO-BUD is too heavy it is a twin neck with a pad thanks .

THANKS AND GOD BLESS JIM.

Mason Eubank · From: Cincinnati, Ohio

I cannot imagine a heavier guitar than the the MSA Classic. If you want a lighter guitar than the D-10 Sho-Bud, I would go with a S-10 Sho-Bud Pro I or Emmons P/P.

Mason

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

If one will weigh an MSA "without the case" and compare it to other brands of the same era, they may be surprised to learn the MSA was little if any heavier than other guitars.

If the MSA is heavier in specific instances, that weight difference is most likely attributed to the fact there was an aluminum frame around the underside perimeter of the MSA, which others did not have at the time.

The aluminum frame certainly contributed greatly to the mechanical reliability, stability and the reputation of MSA guitars staying in tune exceptionally well.

The aluminum frame also quite possibly played a great role in contributing to the fact that so many MSA guitars are still functioning perfectly and being played today that are between 20 and 30 years old.

compuserve · From: ENGLAND

Thanks REECE you have been very helpfull as usual and have helped me make my ming up.Ihave had an MSA before and i know they are great guitars but wondered if it would be a good exchange for my BUD and as it is a single 10 i thought it may be lighter .

GOD BLESS YOU JIM.

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slick · From: Calhoun Georgia

My 26 year old MSA Classic S12 is not that heavy,i have never weighed it but i believe the case weighs as much as the guitar.This guitar is very stable,stays in tune and hardly ever breaks a string.I thought about buying a new steel but instead i installed a
George L E66 pickup in this little jewel.I really dont think i could find a steel guitar
that i would be happier with.Well maybe a new
MSA.

Wayne Broyles

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Jim, the old Classics weren't a lightweight. You might be happier with a Carter "Starter", as they're about the cheapest and lightest thing out there.

Bill Simmons · From: Keller, Texas/Birmingham, AL, R.I.P.

Take the MSA over the 'Starter'!! They are still great steels.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

All I can say is that I love both my MSAs and plan to keep them forever. They are truly great guitars.

I suggest you make the trade with a 2 week option for either party cancel it if either of you are unhappy. That way you can both try out each other's guitars in a no risk situation.

Mason Eubank · From: Cincinnati, Ohio

I meant no offense to the MSA.

I should point out that my old MSA Classic D-10 was the sweetest sounding and playing guitar I ever had, and the tuning was rock solid. But it was brutally heavy to schlep around. The heaviest guitar I ever lifted was an early 60's Rickenbacker. It must have weighed 80 lbs.

Mason

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

Mason E....Your comment was certainly not taken as being offensive. Many felt the same in that the old MSA guitars were too heavy, which was one reason why we later built the small SS model.

In my response post I simply wanted to mention that the weight of the MSA "case" itself, is what started the rumor that the MSA guitar was so heavy.

Prior to making the decision to include a heavy case, I had sent out a survey asking players if they wanted a lighter case which did not protect the guitar as well, or a heavier case which did. They overwhelmingly said they wanted a heavier case to best protect the guitar. That decision turned out to be a "catch 22" for MSA.

I also want to thank you for being a past MSA owner and for your positive comments about your guitar.

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

My MSA Classics had the light plastic case. Were these cases before or after the heavy ones?

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

Jim S....I assume you are referring to the MSA case made of ABS material, because we never used a "plastic" case.

MSA used different case suppliers in different era's, and I have no production records to verify as to when each type case was used.

Rex Thomas · From: Thompson's Station, TN

Just my opinions based on experience, ok? No schmoozing, no playing favorites, just past facts:
Commenting on Jim's (compuserve) original question, IMHO, if the MSA S-10 is really a single neck 10 it would still be lighter than the SD-10 Sho-Bud, aluminum frame & all.
Since the MSA has an E-66, I'd say go for it. With a little brighter pickup, & the build quality, it will LAST. You'll give out before it does. I've had other guitars where the opposite was the case.
Speaking of cases

I wasn't familiar with the heavier MSA case. My 2 gtrs. had the ABS cases (it's ok Jim S., I wouldn't have known they were ABS if they bit me or flat out killed me.) and although the mileage might vary, those cases were INDESTRUCTIBLE. Hey, those cases went EVERYWHERE; plane, bus, truck, dropped at least twice by roadies who wouldn't know a steel guitar from an egg slicer. So I have respect for the ABS case, in my case.

Another past fact (once again, mileage may vary) was both my MSA's NEVER broke strings. It did lend itself to more time playing & less time kadanking with it.
FWIW, go with the MSA. I think you'll be happier in the long run.

[This message was edited by Rex Thomas on 11 October 2002 at 10:16 AM.]

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

ABS is a plastic, according to the Oxford University Press:

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

I think my Sho-Bud Professional was one of the heavy guitars I had.

I had a S10 Msa classic and I always carried it around in my van or trunk of my car, Without the Case.

I thought it was pretty light. It had 5 pedals and 4 knee levers, a nice little guitar.

These guitars are well engineered and well built to last.

Put in a George L E66 pickup in it and you are all set.
......................al

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

Thanks for the clearification Bobby L. I never felt a need to go to the trouble to research the true definition of ABS, but I do appreciate your taking the time to do so and calling it to my attention.

I do recall our case supplier was very emphatic and specific when telling us, the MSA case should not to be referred to as merely "plastic".

Perhaps he should have said, ABS is a superior derivative to the product known as "plastic", and the intent for the different connotation was to denote a higher quality while circumventing the mental image we each have when we hear the word,"plastic".

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

...

Fred Jack · From: Bastrop, Texas 78602

Reece, Whud you say? Regards, fred

Fred Shannon · From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.

To Fred From Fred---He sed them thar' cases were made out of pretty tuff stuff.

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The spirit be with you!!

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

My first steel was an MSA Classic S10, with ABS case. The case was fine, but the handle kept coming off.

Overall, a highly reliable and playable instrument.

Oxford Univ Press also says Bakelite is a plastic.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

ABS? it's plastic. My new Monte Carlo? Plastic. Our old double-knit polyester pants? Plastic. The carpet in your house? Artificial body parts? Good lap steels? The MSA Millenium? The "Mica" my Emmons is covered in? Good old model car, cheap watch, table radio PLASTIC. If it's good enough for Dustin Hoffman(see Graduate, the)then it's good enough for me.

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