Resurrection of an Excel

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Dec 2008 8:54 am

I recently completed the rebuilding of a D-10 Excel pedal steel, including new mica. It was an interesting endeavor as I've never been next to an Excel before. It turned out very nice so I am posting some before and after pictures.

Pat Comeau · Post by **Pat Comeau** » 3 Dec 2008 9:05 am

Wow

! Erv that's a really good looking steel there you did a great job and i like the color it gives it a more classy look.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Dec 2008 9:23 am

Thank you,Pat!
Yes, the guitar has a real "clean" and "wholesome" look. I call it my "Jesus" guitar.

Pat Comeau · Post by **Pat Comeau** » 3 Dec 2008 9:32 am

Amen to that Erv

.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Dec 2008 10:10 am

Pet,
I'm going to use it to "Give praises to the Lord on an instrument of 10 strings". (Psalms 33:2)

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 3 Dec 2008 11:00 am

Very nice work Erv. I know the time and effort you put in on as I rebuilt a Dekley a few years back.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 3 Dec 2008 11:35 am

Nice One Erv !

bet the cat's happy w; another case too

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Dec 2008 11:36 am

Dick,
The Excel was quite easy to work on. The guitar is basically held together with sluminum channel.
I had to completely disassemble the guitar but when I was done I had three separate pieces to re-mica. On most other pedal steels, the cabinet is all glued together and it isn't so easy.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Dec 2008 11:39 am

CrowBear,
I had an ad on the forum a while ago wanting to buy a white guitar but with no luck. I had one nibble but then then the fellow changed his mind.
This guitar came from North Dakota so was already lubed with sardine oil!

BTW: Kitty loved it!

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 3 Dec 2008 3:25 pm

Erv, That Excel looks vaguely familiar..... Very nice work on your part and the color is cool too. The guitar looks like it died and went to heaven. steve t

Chet Wilcox · Post by **Chet Wilcox** » 3 Dec 2008 3:58 pm

Erv, I built Dustin Rigby a White SD-10 And i still have some white Mica Left.I might bhild another one. Chet

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 4 Dec 2008 7:08 am

Steve,
Yes, that's the one.

Chet,
When I started this project, I was suprised that glossy white formica is hard to come by. I went on e-bay and wound up having to buy a full 4X8 sheet of it.
I have enought white formica left over to do a kitchen counter!!!

Charles Tilley · Post by **Charles Tilley** » 1 Jun 2009 10:38 am

I am the guy that made a mistake and sold that guitar to Steve. I have always regretted it. That Excel with L-705 pups sounded better than any steel I have ever had.

I would love to have it back Erv.

Tilley

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 1 Jun 2009 11:14 am

Charles,
I would have to think long and hard on that.
I did quite an extensive rebuild and refurbishing on that Excel after I got it.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 1 Jun 2009 11:44 am

pics kinda look like heaven and hell. not sure what it means, but i'm drawn to the evil black one!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 1 Jun 2009 11:55 am

Kind of reminds me of the old gospel song:
"Standing In The Need of Prayer"!

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 1 Jun 2009 3:27 pm

Nice job Erv, it never ceases to amaze me, the fine jobs done by forum members building,rebuilding, refurbishing, and coming up with something new/different.

Turn it up, and make a loud and joyfull noise...

BF

Charles Tilley · Post by **Charles Tilley** » 1 Jun 2009 6:17 pm

Erv, does it still have the L-705 pups in it. It was the greatest sound a person could want.

Send me an email just between you and me and tell me what it would cost me to own that guitar again---that is if that is even to be considered.

ttexastilley@sbcglobal.net

Bill Patton · Post by **Bill Patton** » 2 Jun 2009 1:28 am

That's a +1 for Jesus. Armageddon averted.

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 2 Jun 2009 1:31 am

It's beautiful brother Erv, but ain't that an instrument of 20 strings?

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 2 Jun 2009 5:55 am

Very nice job Erv!! Looks like the Truetones replaced the 705's but still bet it sounds just great

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 2 Jun 2009 6:43 am

Scott,
That makes it twice as good!

Tilley,
I never even tried the guitar with the L-705 pickups on it. I am a big fan of single wound pickups and the TruTones in particular. That's what's on it now.

The only way I would let the Excel go is if I could pick up another white guitar. I orginally posted a "want to buy" for a white Emmons and thought I had one located but the fellow backed out. Emmons has a light colored, wood grain mica that would be close enough.

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