Excel owners: Lowering problem, string 2

[Ian Sutton]

The problem: I can't get string 2 to lower all the way to C# (the best i can get is close, but still about 1/4 fret sharp.

Background: Universal 12 string that shipped with my E's and 2nd String lower on RKL. I've recently moved that change to RKR, but can't seem to get enough movement on the 2nd string regardless of changer or crank position. The KL stop is not adjustable. The guitar was delivered new from Excel this past December, so I don't think it's a lubrication/fouling issue. Hoping a fresh perspective can help me resolve this issue.

Thank you!

Ian

[Greg Cutshaw]

Check the split tuning screw and back it way out for the 2nd string. On some excel changers it's a set of very tiny screws hidden on the fretboard side of the changer.

[Ian Sutton]

Thanks Greg, yes, I backed off those before I started. I figure I've got to be overlooking something, somewhere.

[Greg Cutshaw]

Hmmm, my KL design is the same so I understand that the KL travel/stop is not adjustable. If you work the lowering finger manually without using the KL, can you get the string to lower a whole tone. On my Excel I can easily go past a whole tone lower on string 2.

You can see my copedant here and my 2nd string whole tone lower is on RKR. Also check the pictures to see if we have a similar tuner.

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Excel%2012%2 ... yless.html

[Ian Sutton]

Hmmm, my KL design is the same so I understand that the KL travel/stop is not adjustable. If you work the lowering finger manually without using the KL, can you get the string to lower a whole tone. On my Excel I can easily go past a whole tone lower on string 2.

You can see my copedant here and my 2nd string whole tone lower is on RKR. Also check the pictures to see if we have a similar tuner.

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Excel%2012%2 ... yless.html

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look.

Yes, I can manually lower the finger a whole tone.

[Greg Cutshaw]

My RKR has a ton of travel and it's not modified but if may be located in a different slot of the side rail than yours.

[Ian Sutton]

My RKR has a ton of travel and it's not modified but if may be located in a different slot of the side rail than yours.

Thanks again. I Took a look at the pics. Looks like they're the same on my guitar and my KL stop is in the largest hole.

Back to the drawing board.

[Ian Sutton]

My RKR has a ton of travel and it's not modified but if may be located in a different slot of the side rail than yours.

Was finally able to get it to work by adjusting the leverage points of the two cranks that KL attaches to the cross shaft with.

Thanks again for your help.

Ian

[Ian Rae]

A PSG is a load of machinery with musical possibilities.

[Greg Cutshaw]

Every time a problem like this happens to us it's just another chance to learn more about our guitars!

[Ian Sutton]

Well said, Greg.

[Larry Bressington]

Can you move the 2nd string rod to a lower hole on the changer and/0r on the bellcrank?

[Mike Vallandigham]

I've intermittently had this problem on my Excels.

It's something that's binding or too tight, usually.

I had one that wouldn't lower all the way, then I just backed it off and re-tuned it, and it worked. Not sure what the problem was.

Other people covered it pretty well.

[David Ball]

The undersides of Excels are pretty tight, and the pressed steel bellcranks sometimes need to be opened up a bit to keep from binding on pull rods. It seems like perfect alignment of all the rods/bellcranks/changer is more critical on Excels than a lot of other guitars. There's just not a lot of slack room under there. But get 'em right, and they're right.

Dave

[Larry Allen]

I have gotten more KL travel by taking the Allen screw stop in the large holes...and grinding off one side to rotate it in the hole..this one is ground pretty straight, more fine tune options, some I grind round to bottom out, fine tune elsewhere...

[Ian Rae]

Cunning! I'll bear it in mind.