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Topic: MSA Semi Classic |
Joshua Lee Thomas
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 13 Nov 2024 7:12 am |
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Howdy folks,
I recently purchased my first pedal steel. A semi classic for $900. I am loving it. It seems like a solid instrument to me but it only has 1 knee lever. Would it be easier to find another steel with 4 or add the other 3 myself?
Thanks |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 13 Nov 2024 7:21 am
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For parts, check with Michael Yahl
https://www.psgparts.com/shop
and Wayne Brown
https://www.outwestcountry.ca/guitar-parts-accessories
as well as placing a WTB in....WTB.....
The answer to your question will depend on whether you can find all the parts, whether you have confidence in your mechanical chops after studying what you've got there, and whether the prospect of such a project actually turns you on or if there's some dread. A project that keeps you from actually playing for an extended time and becomes an albatross is less than desirable. A fully loaded, ready to play guitar has lots of appeal.
edited to add Barry Coker for fabrication of misc. parts if you can't find them. |
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Joshua Lee Thomas
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 13 Nov 2024 5:44 pm
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| Thanks for the link. I love to tinker so i'll be ordering one knee lever kit soon and see how it goes. Then i'll order the other two if i can handle the first. |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 14 Nov 2024 8:07 pm
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If the knee lever now on the guitar is D Knee lever, lower 4-8 to D#. If you can add a F lever to raise 4-8 to F. Between 3 pedals and 2 knee levers, There is a lot of music and wood shedding.
Good Luck in your steel guitar journey. |
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Joshua Lee Thomas
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 15 Nov 2024 8:18 am
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Thanks Bobby,
That sounds like a plan. My one knee is a rkr to d# and it seems a little counter intuitive to me. Would it make more since to add the rkl to d# and rkr to f? or maybe lkr to f lkl to d#? |
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Chris Brooks
From:
Providence, Rhode Island
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Posted 15 Nov 2024 10:54 am
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Joshua, I'd stay with your RKR pulling E up to F; and add a RKL to flat the Es to D#.
You got a great deal on a solid but basic steel. I would add stuff to it rather than spend several thousand dollars for another steel. |
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Douglas Cresanta
From:
Satellite Beach, FL
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Posted 22 Nov 2024 4:46 pm
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What Cris said.
The MSA Semi-Classic, is a fine steel guitar of Pro
quality.
Yes, you can add 2 more levers, as it is pre-drilled
to do so.
I had Billy Cooper in Virginia, add them to my Semi-
Classic.
Keep your E's raise and lower, on your Right Knee.
Now, you can add 1 more lever, to the LKR (using a
reversing linkage) to lower the 2 string. Or any
other string, desired.
With it set up with 3 knee levers, it will keep you
quite busy, for some time.
Good luck with your new acquisition
Doug C. |
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Tommy Mc
From:
Middlesex VT
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Posted 22 Nov 2024 5:34 pm
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| Chris Brooks wrote: |
Joshua, I'd stay with your RKR pulling E up to F; and add a RKL to flat the Es to D#.
You got a great deal on a solid but basic steel. I would add stuff to it rather than spend several thousand dollars for another steel. |
Another option would be to move the E→D# from RKR to LKR. That's a much more common location. You could reuse all the hardware except you'll need longer pull rods which are inexpensive and widely available. Then add a LKL to raise E→F.
_________________
1980 MSA Vintage XL S-10, 1975 Session 400
1972 Dobro model 66s
Derby SD-10
Tom McDonough |
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