Excel PSG's does anyone have experience with these?

Andy Eder · Post by **Andy Eder** » 6 Dec 2014 5:45 pm

I believe they are made in Japan and I've heard they are simply awesome. I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with them or the company?

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 6 Dec 2014 6:24 pm

Bill Stafford in Gulfport, Miss. would be your best contact for info on the Excel. They are made in Japan!

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 6 Dec 2014 8:00 pm

Slim Yamagucchi, steel player with Mark Chesnutt plays an Excel.

Justin Griffith · Post by **Justin Griffith** » 6 Dec 2014 8:54 pm

The great Bill Dearmore played one a while. It was a very well put together machine. It played outstanding.
I think he sold it to Luke Bishop, who may still be playing it.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 7 Dec 2014 7:09 am

I always wanted a white pedal steel.
I bought a black Excel and replaced the black mica with white. Besides the Excel pedal steel, I also have a couple of their Jerry Byrd non-pedal guitars.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 7 Dec 2014 10:13 pm

Hi, Andy, I have an Excel Superb U12, and it's an outstanding machine, the build quality simply astounding. However, I just can't get comfortable with the keyless system, so it's for sale, if you or anyone else are looking!

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John Alexander · Post by **John Alexander** » 8 Dec 2014 1:44 am

I have an Excel Superb S14 that was custom built for the late Al Vescovo about ten years ago, and was set up as a Bb6U for me by Jim Palenscar, with the assistance of Frank Carter in the design and manufacture of a custom half-stop mechanism. I've had no dealings with the builder, but I am very happy with the guitar. Before buying the guitar I read quite a few old Forum threads about the Excel Superb, which are easily found using the Forum's search function, and which provide much helpful information.

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 8 Dec 2014 8:28 am

I have a really old (like 1970s) Excel D10 and I love it.
I've had it for 20 years.
The mechanics are good.
It is light compared to some. 56 lbs in the case.
The copedant was super easy to change. The only thing was I had to change the old style overwound 22K pickups. It was a challenge to find something that fit in the pocket.

Also Mitsuo Fujii is a great guy.

(edited "change to" to read "change the")

Andy Eder · Post by **Andy Eder** » 14 Dec 2014 1:07 pm

For some reason, I haven't been notified of any of these follow up posts. I just happened to see them today....

So I'd really like to thank all of you for posting all of these comments!!

Best regards,
Andy

PS: I have a bunch of sweet instruments, PSGs and vintage and pre-owned guitars both acoustic and electric. I can send a complete list to anybody who's curious. I need to move some microwave ovens.....

Mike Vallandigham · Post by **Mike Vallandigham** » 16 Dec 2014 9:43 am

I own a 12 string Excel, it's pretty new, a 2011 model, or so.

I bought it from Scotty's Music, as he is one of only a few (maybe the only one) that imports them and sells them.

Mine is a S-12, with a lock lever that retunes it from a Extended E9th to a C6th (with two extra strings on top) The lock lever also changes the functions of the two Right Knee levers.

It's got 8 pedals and 6 knee levers.
Here are some other features:
-Keyless tuning
-tuneable cabinet drop compensation
-avoids hysterysis by allowing the changer finger to slide forward (to achieve a lower) instead of rotating.

It's a killer guitar, it's light, sounds great and is an engineering marvel. Mr. Mitsuo Fujii is a really nice guy, I talked with him about some of the features after I bought it.

Mine's got a Tru-Tone in in. My favorite pick-up.

Andy Eder · Post by **Andy Eder** » 16 Dec 2014 9:58 am

Thanks for the info Mike!

Regards,
Andy

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 16 Dec 2014 12:15 pm

John Alexander wrote:I have an Excel Superb S14 that was custom built for the late Al Vescovo about ten years ago,...

Al was very happy with that guitar. Once he got it, he put his MCI in the case and never played it again, except to demonstrate the Alumitone pickup for the Lace company at the NAMM show.

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 16 Dec 2014 3:15 pm

Mike,
Would you post a couple of close-up photos of the lock lever on your guitar and explain how it is engaged and released, please. I assume you meant the lever changes the tuning to B6 and not C6 unless I'm mistaken . I'd like to put a lock lever on an Excel U 12 I plan to buy soon. Thanks, stevet

Mike Vallandigham · Post by **Mike Vallandigham** » 17 Dec 2014 10:26 am

Hi Steve,
No, it changes to C6th.
More specifically, you have the full E9th on the top 10 strings, With an additional E and B on the bottom. (B E B D E F# G# B E G# D# F#)

After hitting the shifter, you get a full C6th on the bottom 10 strings, with an additional D and F on top. (C F A C E G A C E G D F)

Comparing the two, you can see that the lock lever only changes a string up or down a whole step (at most) usually only 1/2 step up or down. The Es are not changed at all.

It has the standard 8 pedals and 6 knee levers (all Emmons Set up)

So 3 pedals and 5 knee levers (3 on the left knee, 2 on the right) knee levers work in E9th mode, and in C6th mode, the 2 knee levers on the right knee get their function changed.

Specifically, in E9th mode, RKL raises 2nd string from D# to E, and lowers 6th string from G# to F#. RKR does it's usual thing on 2nd string and 9th string.

When you shift the lock lever, RKL now lowers string 5 from C to B, and RKR raises String 5 from C to C#. The E9th knee changes above are dis-abled.

And of course, when you move your Left Knee over to Pedals 5-8, you have an additional LKR which does it's own thing.

Mitsuo can put this on a new guitar, and now, he's integrated all the tuning into the changer end. No knobs at the key head.

As far as how the lock lever works, it's pretty simple. It just pulls a bar inward that has 12 little set screws in it, and these set screws either actuate either a raise or lower on the string, as needed. The changer fingers had an extra little pad (separate from all the regular raises and lowers) where these little set screws bear.

So the bar just slides forward, changing the tuning. The raises and lowers and fingers in general work as normal.

I'll try to post a few pics soon.

Mike

Mike Vallandigham · Post by **Mike Vallandigham** » 17 Dec 2014 1:46 pm

Here's a pic: The yello arrow points to the bar that accomplishes the re-tune, the red arrows point to the linkage that actuates it, connected to the lock lever.

This image shows it engaged. Yellow arrow points to the bar which had moved, red arrow points to the linkage (rotated), and the blue arrow points to the fingers that have been actuated.

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Mike Vallandigham · Post by **Mike Vallandigham** » 17 Dec 2014 1:48 pm

Here is looking at the end plate, the blue arrow indicates the two rows of holes for accessing the 12 set screws in the re-tune bar. One row is for lowers, the other for raises.

Wayne Ledbetter · Post by **Wayne Ledbetter** » 17 Dec 2014 2:30 pm

This guy looks complicated. Lots stuff there.

Mike Vallandigham · Post by **Mike Vallandigham** » 18 Dec 2014 8:40 am

It looks more complicated than it is, really.

Most of the busy-ness comes from the fact that the changer can handle so many changes (e9th and c6th) on the same strings. It's got a 7 raise 5 lower changer. That's the key.

Steve, I think all Excel Superbs come with this technology, ie the ability to retune whatever strings you want with the lock lever.

The extra thing on mine is the knee levers that change function also. That's what makes it a true E9th/C6th. No compromise.

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 18 Dec 2014 11:10 am

great guitars

Andy Eder · Post by **Andy Eder** » 18 Dec 2014 1:53 pm

Thanks for your input Damir.

Regards,
Andy

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 18 Dec 2014 8:13 pm

I've got a 2014 model Excel with 3 & 4, S-10, Excel pu made by Mitzou(?) that's wound to 18,000 ohms. I prefer a keyed guitar which this one is. Changer has 5 raise and 3 lower. Two tone color in mica, black top and red front. Very easy to change things around on and make it player friendly. It's a keeper. Zero issues. Comes with a fine flight case also. The Williams website has the same case. I'm planning on installing a 10-1 pu, as soon as, I find one at a good price or someone wants the Excel pu in a trade.

Andy Eder · Post by **Andy Eder** » 19 Dec 2014 1:52 am

Hi Billy,

Thanks for the info. PM on the way.

Regards,
Andy Eder

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 26 Dec 2014 6:44 am

Mike thanks for the photos and lucid explanation of how the tuning can be either E9 or C6. The more I find out, the less I feel I know.

I remember reading in another Excel article about string 3 breakage on the Excel Superb models. The article has several hundred years of collective wisdom from guys who know a ton each about EXCEL guitars. Take a peak. stevet

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=217990

Pete McAvity · Post by **Pete McAvity** » 26 Dec 2014 10:21 pm

Well hot damn. I popped the 3rd string on my D10 Excel Superb last night & just destroyed 2 more trying to replace it tonight. Before sacrificing the last one in the house I decided to go to the forum & do a search for "breakage", and this is the first thread that comes up. Looks like it's off to Scottys tomorrow for some reinforced .11s.

Hans Holzherr · Post by **Hans Holzherr** » 27 Dec 2014 3:45 am

Mike, am I interpretating the pictures correctly in that the RKR and RKL levers each are assigned two cross rods, and the respective lever engages either one or the other? If so, how is the switching between the two accomplished?

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