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Ken Metcalf


From:
San Antonio Texas USA
Post  Posted 8 Nov 2010 5:24 am    
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My question is about the Fine tuners on an Excel.
What years did they start putting them on?
Are they for fine tuning the open strings only?
Any info appreciated.


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ed packard

 

From:
Show Low AZ
Post  Posted 8 Nov 2010 6:16 am     when
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Ken....that sounds like a question for Carl Dixon.

Mitsuo/Fuji/Fuzzy has had at least two of these changer/tuner integrations...the one that you show is the older of the two.
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Curt Langston


Post  Posted 8 Nov 2010 9:16 am    
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IMHO, that guitar pictured above is the most technologically advanced guitar to date.

It has more features than a lot of guys know what to do with!

Look at that axle running through the changer fingers, and the end housing that anchors it.

Can you say sustain!

Take a look at the future guys, it is here!

Splendid !

Very Happy
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C Dixon

 

From:
Duluth, GA USA
Post  Posted 8 Nov 2010 4:17 pm     Re: Excel Changer Question
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Ken Metcalf wrote:
My question is about the Fine tuners on an Excel.
What years did they start putting them on?
Are they for fine tuning the open strings only?
Any info appreciated.



Hi Ken:

1. Last year.

2. Well, they are for coarse AND fine tuning. Fingers for coarse using the knurled knobs, and the tuning wrench fits inside the knob for fine tuning.

3. ALL tuning is done from the right end. Unless you wish to change all or part of the entire basic tuning. EX: C6 instead of B6. You throw a lever at the other end of the guitar and you can change the basic tuning.

This Excel can be eqipped with up to 3 lok levers, to accomadate this goodie. AND each string can be raised OR lowered as desired, PER lever.

On Bill Stafords new Excel, that he just received, Mitsuo has slightly changed it from last year; and I believe it is for the better.

1. He did away with the knuled knobs and replaced them with cap head set screws. Same wrench.

2. He Left the top part of the Right End plate. I was a little concerned about removing the entire top of the plate, in a most critical part of the guitar.

I imagine he thought the same. Look at Bills brand new baby:









Any further questions, feel free to ask dear person,

c.

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Bill Stafford


From:
Gulfport,Ms. USA
Post  Posted 8 Nov 2010 4:52 pm     Carl Dixon
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When ever Carl speaks, every one listens.
And Curt, the new changer in my new steel, as pictured, is stainless steel. Sustain is greatly improved. I have had the new steel since Scotty's show in St. Louis and no tuning problems-pedals,levers and/or open tuning. The new pickup is the best I have ever heard-also by EXCEL.
Thanks for your input Carl.
Bill STafford
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Brad Malone

 

From:
Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 8 Nov 2010 5:05 pm     Bill did it right.
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Bill, I'm glad you like your new Excel..it looks like the most advanced steel on the planet. Bill, how does the PU on your new Steel differ from the one on your older steel? Is the ohmage (resistance) different? How does it change the tone and what do you compare its tone to?...wish I could give it a listen...did you make any sound clips of the new steel? Thanks
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C Dixon

 

From:
Duluth, GA USA
Post  Posted 8 Nov 2010 6:50 pm    
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Ty Bill,

One more little tidbit of info on this incredibe and advanced engineering marvel.

If you will notice the 2 rows of 14 holes near the bottom of the right end plate. There are tiny allen set screws behind each hole. They work in conjunction with Bill's "LOK" lever; shown in the top photo above.

IE; Bill can raise or lower ANY or all strings, when he engages his LOK lever. Again the tuning is done at the right end plate.

I assume it is possible that one could still have up to 3 additional lock levers at the left end plate; to change the basic tuning also. There is plenty of room for it. I hope he still offers that feature, but I am not sure.

Just one more tip of me hat to Mitsuo Fujii Smile . Praise Jesus I love that guy; and may Jesus richly bless all of you always,

c.

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Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 8 Nov 2010 7:12 pm    
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Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Looking at the pics, it appears that each changer finger has 4 separate "tabs" (for a lack of anything better to call it) with rod holes. The bottom one with 3 holes, the next one up with 5 holes, the next with 2 holes and the top with 1 or 2 holes. What is the story there? That is one impressive changer assembly.
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James Quackenbush

 

From:
Pomona, New York, USA
Post  Posted 14 Nov 2010 3:46 pm    
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That is the 5 up and 5 down setup on your pulls ..... Most steels have only 3 up and 3 down....You can have a MONSTER copedant on the Excel and it can handle it in spades !!....Jim
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Bill Stafford


From:
Gulfport,Ms. USA
Post  Posted 14 Nov 2010 4:03 pm     EXCEL changer
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Sure glad to see this interest in the EXCEL changer. My new changer has the following set up:
Top 2 rows are RAISES
Next 2 rows are LOWERS
Center 5 rows are RAISES
Bottom 3 rows are LOWERS

This will allow for seven raises and five lowers. Great system.
Bill STafford
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James Quackenbush

 

From:
Pomona, New York, USA
Post  Posted 14 Nov 2010 4:16 pm    
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Hi Bill ,
Congrats on your new Excel !!....it looks REALLY RED !!....LOL !!.......I kick myself everyday for selling my Excel ...I will surely end up buying another one just as soon as I get rid of a few other items ....I really miss my old steel ....I can't get over how one can put a very intense copedant on an Excel and it STILL has pedal action as smooth as butter !!!.... Tell us more about the new pickup that makse it better than the old one .....Still the best steel on the market IMHO ....Good Luck with the new kid !!......Sincerely, your bud , Jim
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Bill Stafford


From:
Gulfport,Ms. USA
Post  Posted 14 Nov 2010 6:11 pm     Excel
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HI James, good to see you here. Hope you are back with EXCEL soon.
The new pickup fits the name of the steel-SUPERB, by EXCEL. Mitsuo has done a great job with this one.
I dearly loved and was completely satisfied with the pickup on my older EXCEL and was blown away when I plugged in this new one. With no amp setting changes at all, the output gain was very much louder. The high frequency response improved greatly and the full low register chords that I like so much was a lot cleaner and brighter with no muddiness what so ever. I do not know the ohmage figures and have never been concerned with that reading as there are too many other variables concerned that affect the overall tone output. This will be a very good recording steel guitar in the studios. I am very pleased with everything on this unit.
Bill Stafford
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James Quackenbush

 

From:
Pomona, New York, USA
Post  Posted 15 Nov 2010 2:23 am    
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Hello again Bill,
The pickup is still a single coil pickupt thats on your steel or a humbucker ? ....Thanks, Jim
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Dr. Hugh Jeffreys

 

From:
Southaven, MS, USA
Post  Posted 27 Nov 2010 3:31 pm     ? about Excel
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I am still relatively illiterate regarding the Excel. What turned me off in the beginning was this: The strings are TOO close together....can the guitar be ordered with a wider separation?
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James Quackenbush

 

From:
Pomona, New York, USA
Post  Posted 27 Nov 2010 3:38 pm    
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I'm not sure how old the Excel was that you had where the strings were too close together , but my steel had good string spacing and was not a tight spacing at all ...My steel was purchased new in 2006 .......I don't have it anymore to measure the spacing , but will probably buy a new one sooner or later ... I like a wider string spacing and I had no problem with the Excel Superb at all ....Jim
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Dr. Hugh Jeffreys

 

From:
Southaven, MS, USA
Post  Posted 27 Nov 2010 3:43 pm    
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I prefer at least a 9mm separation; the one that I measured was less than 7mm.
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Dr. Hugh Jeffreys

 

From:
Southaven, MS, USA
Post  Posted 27 Nov 2010 3:44 pm    
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I prefer at least a 9mm separation; the one that I measured was less than 7mm.
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James Quackenbush

 

From:
Pomona, New York, USA
Post  Posted 27 Nov 2010 4:41 pm    
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Do you remember how old the one you measured was ? ....Jim
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