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Topic: Old MSAs |
Al Evans
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 3 Mar 2019 3:21 pm |
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People keep talking about old MSAs that are dark sounding, without much sustain. Some have said it has to do with the use of die board (high quality plywood) in some MSAs.
I just took mine out of the case (where it had been for about five months) and set it up, just because I hadn't played it in a while. I really like the way it sounds. Maybe I just can't hear right, but neither my Mullen G2 nor my ZumSteel Encore has better tone or more sustain. In some ways, the MSA has an advantage, because it's got that "old wood" sound only time can bring.
The MSA D10 Classic is serial # 2c5069, made on March 1, 1976. So I'm wondering -- which MSAs are supposed to have a darker tone with inadequate sustain?
It sure is a pretty thing.
--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 |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 3 Mar 2019 3:48 pm
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I believe your MSA is made with solid maple, which is why, at least in part, it sounds good to you. Your steel is not a plywood/dieboard guitar.
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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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Lamar Brown
From:
Andalusia, Alabama, USA
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Posted 3 Mar 2019 5:44 pm Old MSA's
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I have a 10 string MSA Classic built in 1974 and a 12 string built in 1973 and I love the sound of both of them. Well built and very solid.
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1974
MSA ,Steel Guitar, Peavey Session Limited 400, Goodrich Volume Pedal, Boss Digital Delay |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 4 Mar 2019 3:53 am
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The maple body MSA guitars like yours, do not have the tone/sustain problems associated with earlier plywood/mica MSA guitars..
Unfortunately, the bad reputation stayed with MSA for years and years, even after making big improvements. Used MSA guitars sold very cheap for a long time.
.. Things have changed however, much of it due to this forum, and members that own and play MSA guitars and post recordings now and then.
The price for good clean maple body vintage MSA guitars has risen, and most steel players know they are really very good playing. good sounding, and extremely durable guitars, albeit a bit heavy, and nice ones sell readily... bob
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I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time...... |
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 4 Mar 2019 7:07 am
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| I have heard a number of dieboard guitars that sound great. It is my belief that the older MSA's in general had a bit of a darker sound is due to the 1" thick cabinet. |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 4 Mar 2019 7:41 am
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| Jim Palenscar wrote: |
| I have heard a number of dieboard guitars that sound great. It is my belief that the older MSA's in general had a bit of a darker sound is due to the 1" thick cabinet. |
Jim is correct as usual.. I had 2 dieboard MSA guitars, one was bright and alive, and very good sounding.. the other was dark, dead, and had no sustain.. Problem is, some were SO bad, that they gave a bad reputation to ALL original MSA guitars that took a very long time to overcome.. bob
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I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time...... |
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