EXCELL PEDAL STEEL - keyless?

Wes Hamshaw · Post by **Wes Hamshaw** » 30 Jan 2005 9:09 pm

I’m considering buying a new U-12 pedal steel with the keyless feature.

Having owned two Excels in the past, I’m familiar with them to some degree. The last one was a U12 and was a fine guitar except the strings were too close together - at least for me.

Is there anyone out in “forum-land” that might shed some light on the keyless mechanism
(pros & cons) and also the width between the strings. I’m used to 3/8’s at least. The old
Excel that I had was noticeably less than this. I grew weary of fumbling for the right strings.

Your input would be much appreciated. Thanks...............Wes

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 31 Jan 2005 5:28 am

Hi Wes, glad to see your interest in the keyless EXCEL. Mitsuo has made many great improvements and innovations in his steels the past few years. I have one of the new SUPERB models with 14 strings. Per my request he has made the string spacing a little wider at the keyless head and this is a major improvement. Plus the head itself is not a copy of any other manufacturers. There is no small lever to pull the string into pitch. The tuning attachment slides vertically (up/down) against the base of the neck-resulting in much more stability of the string mounting to the steel thereby increasing the sustain and stay in tune capability of the instrument. The scale is 25 1/2"-only steel in production with this long scale. I hardly ever have to "tweak" the tuning as the steel is transported from place to place. I understand the newer models will have knobs that eliminate the requirement of having to use a "tool" to tune the steel. to me, this is a moot point as the steel just does not require much tweaking at all. The changer has a five raise and five lower capability also. And should you use the change lock to hold the Es to Eb, this changer has separate tuning rods that do not affect the E9 tuning at all.. so you can "temper" as you desire in both tunings with no problem to either tunig. The action is just like the name -SUPERB.. Thanks for your interest..

Bill Stafford

Wes Hamshaw · Post by **Wes Hamshaw** » 31 Jan 2005 12:22 pm

Bill, Thanks for your in-depth response to my inquiry regarding the Excel keyless. It sounds like this may very well be the way to go. You were so thorough in your description I can't think of any more questions. Thanks again for your input. Sincerely.........Wes

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 31 Jan 2005 8:17 pm

HI Wes, thank you for your questions etc.
Forgot to mention that the EXCEL changer does not pull the string down on the changer fingers axle as on most all other brand changers. It pulls it horizontally-or a straight pull. This improvement in the mechanism has almost eliminated the string breakage. (Only other steel with this type of changer is the Anapeg). Very similar, but still a little difference between thest two first clast steel guitars. Contact me if you need additional info so we will not clutter up the forum for more personal data exchange. Glad to help out. Scotty is the dealer for EXCEL. I am not on the EXCEL payroll-just want to help Mitsuo and Scotty all I can.
Thanks and good luck.

Bill Stafford