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Topic: MSA Classic S10 changer springs |
Brian Henry
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Posted 8 Jul 2004 6:51 pm |
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| My restoration of my 1974 MSA classic s10 is going well. Everything is back together except the changer and the endplates. I may get the endplates back from the polisher tomorrow. With regard to the 10 changer springs, does anyone know if it is necessary to replace these after 30 years? How would you know that they need replacing? Also, are these springs obtainable and from where? |
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Reece Anderson
From:
Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Jul 2004 11:36 pm
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| Responded by email.... |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2004 6:44 am
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| Reece. Please share info on these springs with us!!! |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 10 Jul 2004 1:52 am
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For the benefit of Bill, and any other who may be interested, the springs serve only one function...to bring the string back true after a lower. If they do that to your satisfaction, you're home free. Replacements can be had from steel manufacturers, or anyplace that carries a good assortment of springs. Two popular places I have found that carry good assortments are Home Depot and Pep Boys. Often, the springs on older steels, or steels that have no tension adjustments (like the old MSA's), can be lightened up a little. They're cheap, so buy a few and try a few to improve the action, if you like.  |
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Reece Anderson
From:
Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 10 Jul 2004 5:07 am
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Bill H....The responsibility of the return spring is to be sure the pulling system returns to the stop bar, which was the point of origination. Once the spring completes that function, any additional pressure of the spring above that which is actually required while considering other mechanical functions, translates to additional pressure which must be overcome by pushing the pedals and knee levers harder.
The old MSA tried adjustable springs much earlier in the evolution of steel guitar, and our doing so resulted in far too many service problems which we believed was attributed to the fact that at that point in time, most players did not undertand the translation function of reduced pressure relative to the stop bar.
We then decided to design and install a spring which we knew would do the job in all normal circumstances, our doing so resulted in service problems dropping to almost zero in that regard, at it has remained that way over the past 30 years.
Relative to parts request and questions asked of me over the past three decades, I have to conclude that at least 95% of all the return springs ever installed on the old MSA production models, are still functioning the same today as they were designed to function over 30 years ago, and they will continue to do so far into the future.
When reflecting back on some of the decisions we made at the old MSA, I truly believe the non adjustable return spring, and the aluminum frame around the underside (which made it slightly heavier)were two of the most critial factors which has allowed history to show the old MSA to be one of the workhorses of the industry, and at least partially explains why thousands are still being played all over the world today after many decades. |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2004 6:25 am
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Thanks so much Reece. You are right about the original MSA instruments. They are just so solid and dependable. Very few musical instrument makers have the satisfaction of seeing their original designs still in service and holding value after 30+ years.
You should write up a treatise on the evoltion of the MSA guitar and the different models and give your outlook on what and why things were built like they were and why things changed and the difference in pick ups and body composition and structural differences etc. This would be invaluable to devotees of MSA guitars.
Like you don't have anything else to do right!!  |
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Reece Anderson
From:
Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 10 Jul 2004 8:17 am
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Thank you Bill for your comments and suggestion. I have placed that which you suggested on my list of priorities, but you should see the length of the list before it's gets down to that which you eluded too.
It's unfortunate one cannot control within our own time frame, that which life forces upon us.
Incidentally, the thing at the top of my priority list, is how do I learn to slow down my perception of the passage of time. |
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