Can an MSA Red Baron be made somewhat usable?

[Lynn Kasdorf]

I was given an MSA Red Baron years ago and I have been thinking about trying to fix it up and make it usable for jamming with people around a campfire or situations where I don't want to take a D10 Emmons.
I have never worked with a pull release and I do not yet understand how you are suppose to tune the pulls. There are allen screws on the outside which seem to limit the fingers in the lower direction. All the pulls seem to be tuned by loosening a lock screw and turning the barrel from the underside. I do not look forward to trying to get the pulls in tune!
I'm wondering what advice any of you Red Baron owners have for this thing (other than put it in the trash or use it as a lap steel).
I have a machine shop and can make parts.
The mechanism is apallingly primitive, but maybe I can make it usable for primitive jamming. It has one lever, which lowers the Es, which would be my choice if I had just one lever. If it ends up being somewhat playable, I could fabricate a couple more levers for it.
I wonder if the thing is capable of the pulls returning correctly and if the the cabinet will flex and go out of tune, etc.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Sent a PM Lynn. Thx. JO

[Jerry Overstreet]

Lynn, for the manual go to www.steelguitar.com. Find manuals button. Open MSA button, find Sidekick. The tuning method is the same for the Red Baron.

[Kevin Hatton]

They make a good plant potter.

[Donny Hinson]

Yes, the guitar can be made quite playable. Here's a direct link to the owner's manual:
https://steelguitar.com/manuals/MSA_Sid ... Manual.pdf

And here's video, a beginner's tutorial on the guitar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6x-xzwh74w

[Gary Spaeth]

i had a student back in 1975 who had one. it seemed adequate to me. cal hand used to play one at his 6 night a week gig with danny and the hangin' tree.

[Mike DiAlesandro]

I have coincidentally just worked on a Red Baron and a Sidekick in the last few weeks for 2 local guys. I actually like the Sidekicks undercarriage better than The Red Baron's. It seemed easier to setup.

They both lower 4 & 8, which I like much better than student guitars that lower 2 & 8. Much more usable in my style of playing.

They both have the basic Emmons setup on pedals as well.

The Sidekick I finished up yesterday sounds real good, and plays nice after a full cleaning of changer, buffing out the changer tops, and a setup, and new strings.

I think it would be great for campfires, Bar Mitzvahs, and any other occasion where a full setup isn't needed.

My 2 cents...