My MSA - A Very Biased Opinion :)

Danny Naccarato · From: Burleson, Texas

Yeah, it's biased, cause I own the guitar

I am sure everyone has a biased opinion of their own guitar(s)....here's mine.

First, I think if I didn't like it, I wouldn't come on the forum and say so, but rather would just be quiet about it and not say anything. Umm, I'm not being quiet.... I am thrilled with it. It got a workout the last 3 nights, in 2 different settings. I've been trying to think of a word to describe it and the one I keep coming back to is it "sings". Let me just qualify myself by saying I am not an engineer, nor a tone/timbre scientist, whatever that is. But I know what I feel comfortable playing and I know what I want to sound like. I've owned/played many horns over the years and this is without doubt one of the finest. The first question I'm sure is "what does it sound like?" I don't think I can really answer that. I also own a P/P Mica Emmons (stock PU), an '87 Mullen lacquer (E66) and until recently, a '95 Mica Zum (BL712), all U-12's. The Emmons doesn't sound like the Mullen, which doesn't sound like the Zum, which doesn't sound like the Millennium. They all sound great.

So, a couple of things I noticed right off the bat with the MSA was the clarity in string separation. The sustain is wonderful. As many have said before, the clarity above the 12th fret is apparent. It was a trip to see the reaction of band when we did Conway's version of "Just Destroyed the World....." and I pulled out Hughey's ride clear up to the 27th fret.....playing thru my Vibrosonic......one of those moments you won't soon forget. Mine has an E-66 in it....tone & sustain is not an issue at all. Also, the bottom end is just a clear and dominant. There is not a trade-off with this U-12.

Mechanically, it has a real comfortable feel to it. The pedal action is smooth and even. The "on the fly" pedal height adjustment is really nice, especially with a new guitar as you "dial it in". Another feature which I was unaware of, is the thumbscrew adjustment on the knee levers. How nice is that? The strings are all "level". I can rest my bar, 15/16" BJS, on the first fret with very little downward pressure, and no string buzz. The guitar stays in tune. The first 2 nights were in a Rodeo Arena, with varying temps. and I had to tweak it once during the 3 hours, after the initial tune up. Yesterday was in a bar, much warmer, and I tweaked it twice over the 6 hour fundraiser/jam......I use a Korg Rack mount tuner. There is a slight cabinet drop from what I can see, but it's neglible. I don't think you can get away from that with a Single 12 Univ.

Carl had a couple of questions that maybe I can answer, but remember, I'm a layman when it comes to mechanics, etc. Regarding the bellcrank swivels, they are wider than the bellcranks, but the swivels are the same width as the string spacing, so I believe you can have parallel pull rods. The right knee levers are near the rear of my guitar, but that is where I like them to be. I think you can have them where you want them, but I could be wrong. The hole where the pedal rod goes thru is only a guide. It serves no purpose other than to hold the assembly upright when the guitar is upside down in the case. The holes themselves are bigger then the rod/assembly going thru them, so there is no metal to metal contact. That's probably hard to tell in the pics on the MSA website. The bellcranks have 5 slots. It is triple raise/lower. I can tell you though, that all the pulls on my guitar are smooth, even, and effortless

Esthetically, the guitar is drop dead gorgeous. Non-musicians were commenting about that. Mine is solid black, with lots of chrome and it just stands out, period. Hope to have pics soon. The 3d fretboard if you want to all it that) is interesting and takes a bit to get used to, especially in some weird lighting situations. Sat. night there were only a couple side lights on stage, causing the fret markers to cast a bit of a shadow. I pointed it out to the guitar player laughing about it. "Never had frets cast shadows". Being chrome though, there's no mistaking where they are..

Is the new Millennium going to cast all wood guitars to the ash heap of history? Nope!! No more than metal necks made wooden necks obsolete. My opinion is people will buy this guitar based on its own principles and theirs. It sounds great, plays great, looks great and is built great.

I think people, myself included, buy new/different guitars not because they don't like theirs anymore, but sometimes just to change (we could use more of that with politicians). Sometimes we see someone playing something and become enamored with it, for a multitude of reasons. IMHO, I believe there will be a definite market for this guitar, just as there is for Carter, Zum, Mullen, Fess, Derby, Williams, Emmons, Sierra, etc. I remember when Ricky was playing his S10 Emmons around here several years ago. He then started playing Buds, now Fulawka. I think it's safe to say it's not because he doesn't like Buds anymore. I'm sure he'll be the first to tell you that. Would I own this guitar if not for the way I acquired it? Probably, especially after the experience this weekend. I would most likely sell or trade-in a couple of my others to do the deal..

One thing that hasn't been mentioned much, is the consistency of construction. If you see and hear Tommy or Johnny playing the Opry, you can feel confident the guitar you get will be the same mechanically as theirs, because all bodys are done the same. Can you sound and play like them? Wish I could, but at least I know I'd be starting out with the same hardware..the rest would be up to me.....hehe, so the answer is probably "no"!

These are my layman opinions, about a fine instrument I now have the pleasure of owning and playing....and somewhat biased

I have a post in the "Events" section about how I came to be the new owner of this guitar, if you are interested.

Danny

(Jody, was this post long enough??)

Steve Alonzo Walker · From: Spartanburg,S.C. USA (deceased)

I Agree With Everything You Said. I Played The Opry Saturday And Tommy Showed Me All The Features Of His And I Must Say That MSA Put Alot Of Thought And Design Into This Guitar. It Is Beautiful Up Close! It Has Features That All Steel Players Would Put On Their Guitars If They Could. I Like The Slide Out Pickups...Flip Out The Lever On The Neck And Slide The Pickup Of Your Choice In. And It Comes With A Life-Time Warranty! If You Want The Rolls Royce Of A Steel That Will Last You A Lifetime Plus, This Is The One To Buy.

Andy Zahnd · From: Switzerland

Hi Danny
I'm looking for to hear you play with your new axe. But even as a "lifetime beginner" I know it can't be just the guitar to sound great, the secret is......
allways your hands! I believe in that, esp I know you have real big Hands!!!! haha!

take care, hope to see ya soon
Andy

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

What Danny sez. I own one and as old as I am the frets are a life saver to me in low light situations.

One other thing, yeh, the little cavities in the fretboard will catch dust, but so does my other horn fretboards, and my wife doesn't let me eat soda crackers in bed either.

FRED

------------------
The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real

[This message was edited by Fred Shannon on 31 March 2003 at 10:31 AM.]

Danny Naccarato · From: Burleson, Texas

Folks, I've known Andy for over 10 years when he first booked me over there. He was a beginning steeler and soaked up everything he could. He's turned into a fine steel player. I just got his bands new CD. Fine playing. You have to see the Album cover. The band is called "Honky Tonk Pickers" and the cover art is a take off on that. Andy, if you have a link to that, put it up. Way too funny!!!

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

Way to go Danny!

Andy Zahnd · From: Switzerland

thanks Danny, even it's not really true about my playing... but the cover is a fine art! here is the link: http://www.honkytonkpickers.com/
Go to the "brandnew CD" page

have a good one, Andy

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Great cover! LOL!

Rex Thomas · From: Thompson's Station, TN

Johnny Cox · Posted 1 Apr 2003 10:52 pm

Well, I have been wanting to post my feelings about my new Millennium, but due to my schedule I have not had the chance til now. Danny, you have saved me time and wear and tear on the fingers. You said all the things I wanted to say but would not be able to explain as well as you did, so here is what I will say, DITTO what Danny said goes for me too. Thanks Reece, Kyle, Sonny and all the gang at MSA for kicking PSG up a notch.

Johnny Cox

Paul Warnik · From: Illinois,USA

Danny N-I am very much in agreement with you on this one-I have had my D-10 Black CFC with 8+7 on order for about a month now-it also will have the E-66 pickups which were in the unit that I was allowed to take home for my own test ride-I also did the tuner check and discovered very scant flat movement of the tuner meter needle-so maybe the guitar has a tad of detuning cabinet drop but it is at least half as much less than any of my other guitars!

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