Williams Crossover

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 2 Jul 2006 9:21 am

In another topic, Dick Wood wrote about his new Williams crossover: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Bill's workmanship both wood and metal are outstanding.The guitar is a natural birdseye finish with rope inlay.Everything is highly polished including the pedals and the lacquer finish has a very high luster. I went with Metal necks instead of wood,BL710 pickup's and grover tuners. He also uses gauaged rollers as standard on his guitars.

His changer is unique in that it makes changing strings easy and the balls don't fall into the changer if a string should break.Sustain is fantastic and harmonics absolutely jump out.

I didn't know quite what to think of the crossover system at first.It takes a little bit to get used to.Best way I can describe the action is that while it is smooth, it feels slightly non-direct but after playing it a few weeks now,I don't have any problems.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> First of all, I want to mention that string breakage seems to be a non-issue. The incidence is very rare, probably due to the fact that the angle at the bridge is slight.

It's true that the action feels less direct. The pedal force goes through several more parts than on other guitars, and you can feel that difference. Still, it's not hard to adapt to. Your brain quickly makes the connection between foot/knee movement and pitch changes. The action isn't stiffer, but you feel less of the direct string tension.

I compare it to the difference between an old Marlin pull-release (very direct!) and a modern Carter/Mullen/Zum/MSA all-pull. Both do the job, but you feel the string tension more directly on the Marlin.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b2005.gif" width="78 height="78">Bobby Lee (a.k.a. b0b) - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6) My Blog [This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 02 July 2006 at 10:21 AM.]

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 2 Jul 2006 3:35 pm

The changer design puts much less of a bend on the strings which has to equate to less breakage I would think.

It would be very tempting to see how long a set of Jagwires would last without breaking on the new changer.

Since switching to them on other guitars, I went from the third breaking about every third night to lasting up to 5 months.

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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 2 Jul 2006 10:15 pm

I use the Jagwire .0115 for the third string. I change strings about every two months (I don't play every day). No breakage.

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 3 Jul 2006 12:35 pm

I've never had the pleasure of playing, or even seeing one in person, but the angle on the changer caught my eye right off the bat (on the web)... seems like a really great idea, and I would imagine it also helps reduce "grooving" the top of the fingers. I like the idea of using the pedals/KLs on both neck as well... all and all, a lot of great ideas here, and looks to be top notch workmanship.

My $0.02.

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Dave Wren
'96 Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 5 Jul 2006 9:18 am

You might be right about that, David. I haven't had to buff the finger tops yet on this guitar, and it's almost 2 years old.

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 5 Jul 2006 9:56 am

I sat behind a Williams Crossover just a few weeks ago.
Pedal action was light and smooth.

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud LLG; Guyatone 6 string lap steel; John Pearse bar; Emmons bar; Evans SE200 amp

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 5 Jul 2006 4:34 pm

Hey Marco:
Where have you been . It has been a while since you posted here.

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 6 Jul 2006 12:50 am

Hi Willis,
Although I take a look at the Forum everyday, some health problems shifted my focus.

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud LLG; Guyatone 6 string lap steel; John Pearse bar; Emmons bar; Evans SE200 amp

John Poston · Post by **John Poston** » 6 Jul 2006 10:17 am

I've been very intrugued by these for awhile. esp the wood lacquer guitars. Where is a good place to check them out? I'm usually stuck in new mexico but will be travelling the west coast for the next couple weeks. Does Bill or anyone ever go to the steel shows?

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 6 Jul 2006 11:08 am

Bill usually has a booth in the main hall in St. Louis.

I plan to bring my D-12 crossover to the Mesa, Arizona show in January.

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 6 Jul 2006 1:07 pm

Bobby....I didn't know Williams made a D12!?!?

wow

do you know if they'll consider 6 floor pedals?

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 6 Jul 2006 3:59 pm

There isn't enough room underneath for 6 pedals, unless you gave up a knee lever. The crossover mechanism requires two crossbars for each pedal or lever. I have the functionality of 10 pedals and 10 knee levers on my D-12, but it looks like a 5+5. I think of it as a stealth guitar.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b2005.gif" width="78 height="78">Bobby Lee (a.k.a. b0b) - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6) My Blog

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 6 Jul 2006 4:06 pm

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The top picture is the underside of the first production crossover, which I used to own. The bottom one is my current guitar. Today's Williams have a different, better rod puller than the ones shown in the photo.[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 06 July 2006 at 05:11 PM.]