My new old beautifull MSA with copedent i don't understand

Michell Geerdink · From: Netherlands

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Hello,

My name is Michell, i'm a new member from Holland.

This is my new psg. An MSA classic as you can see.
The instrument is in very good condition and it's from the early 70's as i understand. Serial 2G3589.

Ok, big issue here:

I don't understand the current copedent. I'm a beginner E9th player with great interest in western swing. My previous psg was a Sho-bud s10 so this is why i wanted a d10.
These are the current functions:

P1: standard
P2: standard
P3: standard
P4: c6: string 6 e to f
P5: c6: string 5 g to f#
P6: not installed(see pic.)
P7: c6: string 1 d to d#
P8: c6: string 4 a to a#
P9: c6: string 9 f to e

lkl: c6: string 3 c to b flat
c6: string 4 a to g

LkR: c6: string 5 g to g#

Rkl: c6: string 7 c to b
e9: string 7 f# to f

RkR: e9: string 2 d# to d

RKV: c6: string 4 a to a#

I just want the most standard e9th and c6th tunings.
To me, the strange thing is, that it seems to be all original, exept for the pedal 6 uninstall maybe. Looks like nobody ever touched it.
Did MSA offer these type of custom orders?
That RKV makes is impossible to use the volume pedal.

The location of the kneelevers. look at LKL for instance, it's nearly impossible to reach pedals a & b
Lkl is installed to far to the right? Or do i need an extra lever on the far left for LKL?

Can i get this back to a normal copedent? Do i need new parts? Will i have to modify the instrument itself, drill holes etc?

For me it's such a shame, when i bought it i obviously noticed some of the issues but i figured it wouldn't be a big deal to get it to standard tunings.

Hopefully some of you guys can help me in the right direction, i just want to practise..

Thanks in advance,
Michell

Al Evans · From: Austin, Texas, USA

I am no expert, since I only started a few months ago, myself. But I notice nobody else has answered, and I have a similar MSA a little older than yours, so on the off chance it will help....

First, your left knee levers seem to be in about the same place as mine. I thought it was between uncomfortable and impossible at first. Now, I don't notice it. I guess my left leg just got used to bending that much.

Second, if you're at all mechanically inclined, you will find the guitar quite straightforward to work on. I would almost be willing to guess that pedals 6, 7, and 8 have just been moved over a notch to positions 7, 8, and 9. If you do need parts, you can get them from Michael Yahl here: https://www.psgparts.com/main.sc

My c6th neck had evidently not been used for some time before I got the guitar, and I haven't set it up yet. I've been more than busy enough trying to learn more than a few simple things on the E9th neck... Very Happy

Hope this helps!

--Al Evans
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2018 MSA Legend, 2018 ZumSteel Encore, 2015 Mullen G2, G&L S-500, G&L ASAT, G&L LB-100, Godin A4 Fretless, Kinscherff High Noon

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Remove the 9th pedal and move its crossrod to the 6th pedal where it belongs. Then set up the C6th neck like this:

Michell Geerdink · From: Netherlands

Thanks for the tips, they're really helpfull.

Al, my main problem starts when i want to 'rock' between a and b pedal while my left knee is between lkl & lkr.
With the current location of lkl i am able to reach both pedals but i would really have to step away from pedal b and move towards pedal a while i think i should be able to stay above both pedals but only push pubedal a This should be possible by supinating my foot a little.
I know having the b pedal a bit lower than the a pedal helps but not in this case i'm afraid.

Bob,

Looks like i will have to change some bell cranks, move cross shafts from one place to another and install some new parts.
I removed that front panel and as you can see there's another one. But that one is also connected to the changer with the little plate. When unscrewing that little plate the changer will go bad won't it?
Should is do this anyway or should i stay away?

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

You shouldn't remove that back plate. As you see, it's holding everything together.

If you loosen the bell cranks attached to the crossbar you want to remove, it should just slide out through its mounting hole in the back plate.

An MSA expert should chime in here. I've only ever worked on one of them, and I didn't have to move a crossrod.
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Michell Geerdink · From: Netherlands

Thank you Bob, for your quick reply. I will open a new topic on this.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

While you're moving crossrods, you should also move the left knee levers to a more comfortable position for E9th playing. Ergonomics is essential for good steel playing. You can't play well if you have to contort your body to get the notes you want.
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Gerald Smith · From: Tennessee, USA

First let me say you have a good and clean steel there, if it were mine I would remove all the pull rods and replace the cross shafts that have been cut, then do a set up per Bob,s chart, the C6 is all out standard, after you remove the pull rods, lose the set screws in the bellcranks and slide them out start the set up.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

If you end up with an extra bell crank, raising the 3rd string C to C# on RKR is a Real Good Idea. Cool

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Michell Geerdink · From: Netherlands

Thanks again guysðŸ˜€

This Psg looks untouched, i can hardly believe it's like 40 years old and some previous owner customized it?
Did MSA take orders with personal preverences back then? I mean, could this steel be ordered this way?

I'm still doubting whether i should try to get used to the left levers location or replace them a bit towards the left...
In order to do that i'd need to tap a threaded hole for an extra stop because it's not there.

I see clips of people play Classics with levers at the same place as mine but i also see them with the levers far more to the right...i'm not sure what to do.
The first 3 pedals now are level, maybe if i set pedal b a bit lower it would help?

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