EXstar (Excel) by Fuzzy Steel Guitar

[Mike Vallandigham]

I have started using the lower strings in E9 with the 12 string set-up. Throw in some bass notes here and there.

Peter, if you're still having problems, I'd suggest the old de-tune and retune.

Slack off all the pulls on that problem changer finger.
Slack off the E9/C6 shifter set screw.
Ensure the finger moves freely. Maybe take the string of and make sure. (I flip it over and use a little screw driver to actuate the lower and raise parts of the finger. Not only it is easier on your fingers - but you can really feel if there is any hesitation or friction at some point in the movement. Sometimes there is a burr or a sharp edge that can cause extra friction in passing.

Retune the open string.
Engage and retune the E9/C6 lever.
Then retune the pulls with the nylon nuts.

Look for binding at each step - both in E9 and C6 mode. Make sure that when throwing the E9/C6 lever, the finger movement does not cause anything to bind or touch on the other pulls - always some slack.

You know the drill.

Also be sure that the changer springs are tight enough to hold the finger back - not only at rest, but also with any pedals or levers engaged. That would be the max string tension the spring will have to resist.

[Alan Seals]

I have sent a couple emails through his website, with no reply. Is he still in business?

[Greg Cutshaw]

I've emailed him 5 times in the past month with replies within a few days each time. Just bought a new 12 string excel that's in the works! Used email address info@fuzzypsg.com.

[Mike Vallandigham]

Congrats on the order Greg - can't wait to see photos!!

[Bill Cunningham]

I would love to see a video of this mechanism in action.

There is a video floating around that shows a user changing the tuning of an Excel PSG from E9 to C6 (I think) with the movement of a lever on the top of the instrument. It's almost like a magic trick!

I can't remember where I saw it (possibly from a link on this forum). I did a quick search on the Fuzzy web site and on youtube, but I couldn't locate the video.

I work for a Japanese company and was fortunate to be in Tokyo over the weekend a few years ago. I played a guitar with that lever and it switches from Emmons to Day on the pedals.

[Alan Seals]

Thank you!

I've emailed him 5 times in the past month with replies within a few days each time. Just bought a new 12 string excel that's in the works! Used email address info@fuzzypsg.com.

[Susan Alcorn]

I own to recent Excels - an S12 that I bought used two years ago and a D10/12 that arrived at my home this last Tuesday. I love the guitars and agree with Patrick that Mitsuo Fuji is an engineering genius. His guitars are, each of them, works of, art, and like a true artist, Mr. Fuji keeps changing and improving the design.

Playing an aluminum body has a bit of a learning curve, but I love the keyless tuning. It feels so much more precise.

The only downside, for me, is changing the strings, though that has gotten a little bit easier over the last two years.

I have a question for anyone who is playing the latest version of the Excel. For string changes, is it possible to insert the ball of the string from the top of the head? Going from underneath, it takes me a long time to get the string through that little hole, and I would hate to have to turn my guitar sideways or upside down in the middle of a set because I broke a 3rd string. Is there a trick to that? I'd be grateful for any advice.

[Lee Gauthier]

The latest ones all the tuning happens on the changer side. The strings themselves go through the nut at the head of the guitar. Tuning the open strings is done from the first horizontal row of tuners just under where the strings attach.

[Susan Alcorn]

Thanks for that information, Lee. I've figured out how the tuning works. My question was on how to insert the ball of the string at the head (opposite of hanger) side of the guitar. I finally figured out that you could insert them from above if you wiggled the string around the right way.

Current issues I am having are thin strings breaking while tuning even though I pull them as tight as can be, they often break when tuning (or sometimes after tuning, they start to go flat and then break

A bit of a learning curve with this guitar.

[Mike Vallandigham]

Hi Susan, are the strings breaking at the headstock, or the changer end? Maybe you can post a photo of your guitar, headstock and changer?

[Lee Gauthier]

I wonder if head on your guitar is slightly different than mine. Curious about the strings breaking while tuning up. Is your guitar a regular scale or long scale? I've heard of people having them break on the 25.5" guitars like mine, but I haven't experienced that personally. I use a D tuning tho so I'm a bit lower in pitch than most folks here. You are in a C tuning tho correct? Thats even lower than mine!

[Susan Alcorn]

Thanks for writing. When they break (not all of them do), sometimes its on the changer side, and sometimes it's at the head. My guitar is the same version as Lee Gauthier's.

[Mike Vallandigham]

I can't see any reason to break a string at the headstock side. That's so simple - there aren't any sharp angles or edges there. The Changer side has more things going on...

Maybe try a new string brand!

I rarely break a string on my two Excels. And most breaks were from a sharp edge that the string was coming in to contact with as I tuned up.

Pre-stretching the small strings seems to help with many problems like these.