Justice Pro Lite vs Robostar Excel/Fuzzy

[Nancy Beck]

Hello. I am new to Pedal steel and am looking for an easy to play, portable guitar that is high quality. I am looking at the Justice Pro Lite (Ron is very personable and responsive) and EXCELkeyless's Robostar model by Fuzzy in Japan. The Robostar is a bit cheaper and was hoping I could get some input on both of these guitars. Thank you
PS I am an intermediate Lap Steel player. I play in C6 but it appears I should move to E9 for the pedal

[Larry Dering]

Ron is here in the states and builds a fine guitar. I have 2 Justice Judge SD10s. Fuzzy also builds high quality steels but not sure who are dealers in the states. Service may be a longer wait unless someone local handles the Excel steels. Forum member Greg Cutshaw loves his Excel. Not sure on the Robostar model. Service can be a big issue, that would influence me to buy stateside. Hopefully you get more answers from a Excel owner. Bill Stafford was a dealer and so was Scotty Dewitt Scott. Scotty has passed away and Bill may he retired.

[Larry Allen]

Aloha. I have played Excels for decades, there are no dealers in the USA (Scotty’s was the last and probably only one). You have to order from Japan.. they are great guitars, the last one I got from Mitsuo took 3 months to build and ship.. probably longer wait times now …

[Ron Hogan]

https://youtu.be/uiYRQhBMzqY?si=cmyZBOwZI1WlEpaM


https://youtu.be/i_KZ6T8aayQ?si=JS6QVK_M7DGgTZQq

[Greg Cutshaw]

Shoji redesigned my Ex el Robostar changer and I haven't broke a string in over a year. It plays smoother than my MSA Legend and my Sierra S-12. It's also incredibly light and compact with a super versatile changer. If you want something like a Robostar I would get it from Shoji when he is able to fully get back in business.

Robostar review:

https://www.gregcutshaw.com/Excel%20Rob ... ostar.html

[Craig Robson]

I can't be very helpful for comparison's sake as I have never played an Excel. That said, I have a Justice Pro-Lite that is my main gigging steel and has been since I got it in spring of '23. I've probably played it on around 75 jobs. It is light and friendly to handle, but stable enough to not jump around when you hit a lever. (Knocks on wood...) I haven't ever broken a string on this guitar. It stays in tune and really is a delight to play. I also have a Justice "The Judge" that stays set up as my main practice guitar and the characteristics are the same. I needed some parts to change the copedent as I bought The Judge used and Ron took care of me very fairly and with no issues. I am always willing to recommend a Justice steel.

[Stew Crookes]

I can't weigh in on the Justice as I've never played one but they certainly have an excellent reputation on the forum...

The Robostar, I've played for almost 2 years and I absolutely love it.
Mine strangely came with a different tuning mechanism that's much closer to Greg's redesigned one (I say strangely because my guitar was made before his) and I've never broken a string - playing at least 1500 hours on it so far.
It's super light, sounds fantastic, and has a very precise mechanism. I can't imagine a better S10 for gigging without a car, flying etc.

I second his suggestion of looking at a Shoji steel made by Mitsuo's former #2 man Toshi who did a lot of work on the Robostar. My next steel (whenever that will be) will almost undoubtedly be one of his as I'd love to have a very similar guitar to my Excel that stays set up at home and the Robostar can stay packed and gig ready.