Restringing 2019 Excel - friction pegs?

[Dave Stagner]

I’m restringing my new-to-me 2019 Excel for the first time, and it’s fighting back. It uses what seem to be friction pegs at the changer end (albeit metal ones), and a ball-end headless tuner. The friction pegs slip, but I was able to get all but one to hold - the 7 string (F#, using .026 wound strings). And… it just keeps slipping. When tension starts getting up in the D-E range, the peg slips a bit. I’ve bottomed out the tuner trying to get it into tune, and broken two strings so far.

Does anyone with a similar Excel have advice on getting those pegs to hold? Shoji?

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

Please show me a picture of your Excel head and changer.

[Dave Stagner]

IMG_2025-03-25-102618.jpeg

IMG_0683.jpeg

Please forgive the untrimmed string ends! But this should show you what the changer is, at least.

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

I will tell you how to change the strings on the Exstar model. The mechanism is the same: wrap the string around the pretension winding post and stop it with a stop screw.

The method of winding the string around the pretension post is the same as for guitars, but for plain strings, you should gently pull the string and fold the part about 20 to 30 mm from the pretension post upward at 90 degrees, and start winding from there.

https://www.notion.so/About-Exstar-s-ch ... c9ee?pvs=4

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

Super important.

Do not tighten the stop screw on Pretention post hexagonal corner!

You must always secure the hexagonal flat face of the pretension post with a stop screw.

Regarding the tightening torque of the stop screw, please tighten the stop screw firmly, rather than allowing the pretension post to spin out of control due to insufficient tightening of it, resulting in circumferential scratches and inability to lock the post.

I think it would be a good idea for you to try tightening the stop sq. cue that I have already tightened at the next string change and learn to use the same amount of force as I did.

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

If the corners of the pretension post are completely worn down, it will lead to a critical issue where the stop screw can no longer hold it in place, as shown in this video.

https://youtube.com/shorts/0y44Pb064t4?feature=share

If the pretension post keeps spinning even when the stop screw is tightened against the flat side, try replacing the stop screw (hexagon socket head cap screw) with a longer one.

[Dave Stagner]

Thank you so much, Shoji! I see I just didn't understand the tensioning mechanism (which is what I figured). It's a very elegant design!

The string in question is now tuned correctly.

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

I'm honored to be of help to you.