MSA Studio Pro

Rex Thomas · From: Thompson's Station, TN

Hey Johnny, for those of us who didn't make it to the Texas show, please tell us a little more about the MSA studio pro. I caught the black/natural color choices with the BL 710, also the longer scale length. Now if the mechanics are the same as the Legend & Millennium (I like the "Milly" nickname that's floating around here now) then the studio pro has the interchangeable pickup slot too, yes? no? Is it available in an SD-10?
Thankew!

Johnny Cox · Posted 15 Mar 2007 9:46 am

Rex, the Studio Pro is an all wood body guitar with the same mechanics as the Legend and Millennium. It does have 241/4 inch scale. A standard D-10 comes with 8 pedals, 5 knee levers. The standard color is black, other MSA Ultra finishes are available as an option (natural wood finishes, wood and pearl inlays are available only on Legend guitars). All Studio Pros have the polished aluminum trim strips. B.L. 710 pickups are standard but the guitar can be ordered with modular True Tone, George L's or Tonealigner. Options are a polish package, Texas ATA wheeled case, lite weight aluminum legs and leather cover. There will be more info on our web site www.msapedalsteels.com shortly. Here is a picture of Jay Dee Maness playing his new Studio Pro at TSGC. Jay Dee's guitar is black with 9x8. His options are polish package, lite weight aluminum legs, Tonealigner pickups and Texas case.

_________________
Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967.

David Doggett · Posted 15 Mar 2007 11:22 am

Looks like a fantastic instrument. I like the idea of the longer neck, which puts it in the league of Emmons, Zum, and others. I expect it gives a tad more tone and sustain. Also, a longer neck seems to improve my intonation (but that could be in my head).

By the way, Johnny, I never thanked you for the setup you did for me several months ago. Let me take this opportunity to publicly thank you for the perfect setup you did. I bought David Wright's old purple flame Millennium M3. It was Bb6/Eb9 9&6 with David's special left knee cluster with wide-spaced LKL and LKR and two side-by-side verticals in between. I wanted a more standard E9/B6 with a Franklin pedal in the 0 pedal position. That required completely redoing all the pedals and levers. Johnny was very patient and helpful with my requests. Even working long distance, he got the knee lever positions just right, and delivered a perfectly adjusted setup in every way. The feel stops are the best I ever had. He even put one on on my vertical knee (against his advice) that works well taking the F#s to G and G#. The guys at MSA are the best. Smile

Rex Thomas · From: Thompson's Station, TN

Thankew, my brother!

Morton Kellas · From: Chazy, NY, USA 1

I looked over the Studio Pro at the Dallas show and it is a very fine instrument. I did notice that the floor pedals are not the same as the Ledgend or Millennium.
But neither is the price. I must say that the floor pedals are as good if not better than anything out there. The instrument itself has a flawless fit and finish to go along with it's great MSA tone. The pictures are nice, but it looks even better when you are right in front of it. If you want a top of the line instrument, look no further.

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

I too will vouch for Johnny's assembly expertise. I use two RKL's which makes for an odd setup. We had to experiment a little with the position of the outside RKL on my Legend, but I got my Millennium on Friday and played it with the band on Sunday. It was set up perfectly and all it needed was a little tuning tweak, but it had traveled 200 miles in a UPS truck. I still haven't changed a thing, I just tune it and play it.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Johnny Cox · Posted 15 Mar 2007 9:42 pm

You guys are too kind. A couple notes.
Morton, the pedal on the Studio Pro starts out the same as the Legend and Millennium. We just changed the look a bit and put a little curve on the end.

Mike, your guitar was a challenge to build but fun. I had a lot of help from Sonny on that wrist lever. The Millennium and Legend are now available with 241/4 scale.

Darvin, shall I put you on the list for a S.P.?
_________________
Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967.

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

I'm thinkin', I'm thinkin'.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

For those who missed hearing J.D. play . His talent as applied to the MSA was a thing of beauty. I thought he was the top dog as far as smoothness, sound and all around performance was concerned.
there were a lot of others who did just fine but J.D set the standard.

Bud

Morton Kellas · From: Chazy, NY, USA 1

Johnny, Could you state any comments on the difference in tone or playability of the 24 1/4" scale now being offered vs the original 24 " scale on the Millennium and Legend.

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

Darvin...while you are "thinking", could you buy me one too?? I was in the MSA room multiple times visiting and was drooling over JD's new MSA...great combination...oh yea, Darvin, just let me know when you bought the MSA for me and I'll come and get it!! :D

joe long · From: San Antonio, Texas

I have to agree, JD, in my opinion, had the best tone of anyone on the show. I have only seen him maybe 6 times live. During that time he has progressed into a terrjific player with fresh material at each show. That is very important to me. That way he is unpredictable and you don't know what to expect.

How about his version of Look At Us?

He really got me to thinking about an MSA. I have been played an Emmons guitar since the mid 70's and very satisfied but thinking of a change.

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

"Tears In Heaven" always blows me away. Of course, who could do it better than the one who played it on the mega hit original. A couple of years ago JayDee played it at the Mesa show with gutar player Jimmy Bachman (I think that was his name). Their harmony licks were fantastic. I think it was better than the original version, there wasn't a vocalist to get in the way of the music. A great picker playing a great guitar.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.

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

That MSA Studio Pro looks like another winner for MSA......al. Smile

_________________
Michigan (MSGC)Christmas Dinner and Jam on my 80th Birthday.

My Email.. almarcus@cmedic.net
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus

Kyle Bennett · From: Dallas, TX USA

Please visit our website for more info on the Studio Pro. www.msapedalsteels.com

Johnny Cox · Posted 21 Mar 2007 1:36 pm

Jay Dee was kind enough to leave his new Studio Pro with me for a few days. I had not had an opportunity to put it through the paces until this past weekend. On Friday I played a 4 hour dance in Brady TX. and then on Saturday a 2 hour show in the afternoon and another dance that night. It was a four peice band with just steel and fiddle so I had plenty of chances to cut loose. This guitar is the ticket. I am sure that it is the best sounding MSA ever built. The response is incredible. I can truthfully say (as a player) that the Studio Pro has THAT sound and feel. I know what "THAT" is and boy howdy it's there. I'm taking it out to Pearls tonight for one last go round before shipping it off to Jay Dee.
_________________
Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967.

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

I played Jay Dee's guitar in the MSA room and I was impressed. It's a great addition to, and a slight departure from, the MSA line, and I'll state my opinion why. It fills a very popular niche in the PSG marketplace... the "visualization factor."

Now, no matter what design of steel guitar you like and visualize yourself playing behind, MSA can provide it. You want a high-tech body with the precision MSA mechanics and understated to outrageous graphics, you get a Millenium.

You like the Millenium design but want the trad look of a lacquer cabinet with beautiful wood, reminiscent of the old 60's guitars, there's the MSA Legend.

If a player really digs the MSA features but has been hung up for years on the 24.25" scale and look of the Emmons-style design (short black body, short keyhead, aluminum trim strips) that almost all builders make today, he now has the MSA Studio Pro.

It's not just a knock-off, though. It has the MSA undercarriage and the removeable pickups (a great feature). So it's still more MSA than anything else, but it does have a reminiscent look that will attract players who love that type of cosmetics.

Personally, it's probably no secret that I'm one of those guys that like the PP-style look. That guitar actually made me go "hmmm...." Wink

But so did a Star guitar, a Rains guitar I saw, a beautiful Carter I looked at, and a mid-70's Emmons woodneck PP. Of course, I didn't buy anything this trip. Smile

I'm not trying to shill for MSA, I don't play one or own one. But I do think the Studio Pro is a very smart marketing move on the part of MSA, and I did congratulate Reece and Kyle on the guitar.

I'm hoping this post won't piss off friends of mine who happen to be builders, though it might. Smile

Again, I'm just commenting that the guitar is a good one, and MSA is doing a smart thing by offering it.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

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

Herb S....Thank you for your assessment and observations concerning our new "Studio Pro" and overall marketing direction.

The "Studio Pro" was born in an SUV on the way back from the "International Steel Guitar Show" last September, and only six months later it was unveiled publically for the first time at the TSGA show.

All of us at MSA greatly appreciate the kind words and the exceptional positive reception of this new addition to the MSA family of instruments.

Morton Kellas · From: Chazy, NY, USA 1

I was on the MSA site yesterday and noticed that the "Studio Pro" was now listed. This is a great site for all those who are interested. Greg Cutshaw also has a web site which shows several detailed pictures of the MSA Legend. You can get a detailed close up idea of the MSA features which are also incorporated into the "Studio Pro". You can also listen to his sound clips playing the Legend. Great playing and wonderful tone.

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

David Doggett · Posted 22 Mar 2007 8:19 am

I beg to differ, Donny. I am at best an intermediate player. When I recently got my Milly M3, I had no idea the neck was shorter than the Zum and Emmons I had been playing. I immediately felt slightly cramped, and felt my intonation was slightly more difficult. I then measured the neck, and was surprised to discover it is 24" rather than my usual 24 1/4". It also keeps a 3rd string much longer. It is a fairly subtle thing, but you do notice it going back and forth between the guitars. I mostly play the Milly now, and have adapted. It's other advantages far outweigh this very subtle difference. But now knowing there is a 24 1/4" option, I may someday consider trading. Interestingly, the Studio is a less expensive model than the M3.

As for tone, the M3 rivals my Emmons p/p, so I have no complaints. However, with the same gauge strings, the Studio will have slightly more tension, and potentially better sustain. But I wouldn't expect that to be noticeable unless the two neck lengths were compared side-by-side, with everything else being exactly the same. Since the Studio has a wood body, the proper comparison would be with the Legend. It may be such a subtle difference as to be negligible. But I would be surprised if the difference wasn't apparent. There is a reason why Buddy chose a 24 1/4" neck for the p/p. He felt it was the longest neck that would keep string breakage within practical limits.

So - small difference not worth worrying about for most of us? Yes, you are probably right. Noticeable by only the "top-tier players"? Not exactly.

Morton Kellas · From: Chazy, NY, USA 1

Donny, Why the uncalled for sarcasm? I did not ask for your opinion did I? The question was addressed to Johnny. If you read the above posting, Johhny Cox informed us that he played the Studio Pro over the weekend and it has "that sound and feel". Exactly what I was inquiring about. I am sure other members were as curious as I. I have since spoken to MSA and they were polite enough to answer my legitimate questions professionally. I feel that ALL forum members should have the right to ask any questions they wish, without having to be concerned that they may be chastised or ridiculed.

Johnny Cox · Posted 22 Mar 2007 10:26 am

It is not yet known how the 241/4” scale will effect our guitars with regard to string breakage. I have personally owned several guitars of other brands in the past that had 24” scale that were terrible string breakers. When MSA introduced the Millennium it had a new string finger design that incorporated a compound curve as opposed to a simple radius. This design drastically reduced string breakage from the old MSA designs. With regard to the difference in sound, I think that most steel players will be able to hear the difference. I even had a fiddle player notice that something was different from the guitars I have been playing.
_________________
Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967.

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Forum Index > Pedal Steel	Goto page 1, 2 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic