Question about my Excel steel guitar

[Mark Hariman]

I have a 2024 Excel ‘Exstar’ steel guitar, 12 string.
It came with the stock Excel pickup which I would like to swap out to the Telonics X12. Problem is, the pickup cavity is not wide enough to fit the X12.
The cavity measures around 118.5mm wide, the pickup is about 119.5mm.

So I’ll have to route it to widen it then by about 1mm on either side. Question is, is there a way to detach the neck from the cabinet in order to do this? Has anyone with an Excel attempted something similar before?

As an alternative, would is be possible to shave off the sides of the pickup instead to make it fit? I’d hate to destroy the pickup, and it’s making my insides churn thinking about having to use a power tool on my steel guitar.

Reason for the pickup swap is I can’t deal with the single coil hum, and also for some reason string 7 is really soft compared to the others. I figure using the X12 pickup would allow me to balance out the levels of each individual string.

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

I will explain how to detach the neck from the cabinet on an Excel.

First, detach all the pull rods.
Next, loosen and remove all the raise helper spring adjustment screws.
Then, remove the two screws on the head side
Finally, remove the eight screws from the back of the cabinet.

I hope everything goes well.

[Mark Hariman]

Wow thanks so much Shoji! I will give this a try. I have also been meaning to ask: what is the difference between the Exstar and Superb models? They seem to look identical underneath, yet there is a difference in price between both models.

[Lee Gauthier]

Hey Mark, I have a Telonics X12 in my excel and also found it was just a touch to big. I figured it was better to modify the pickup rather than the guitar. It was only about a 0.5mm that needed to come off the bottom plastic plate on each side. I just used some sand paper and a file, and was careful not to damage the tape or wire wrapping on the pickup.

[Mark Hariman]

That's good to know, thanks Lee!

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

Regarding the Difference Between Superb and Exstar.
Mitsuo named the current model of Superb as Exstar.
There are countless versions of Superb with different specifications.
The characteristic of the Exstar model's changer.
It features a combination of pre-wound posts and a tuning mechanism.

[Larry Allen]

Didn’t know there was a difference..my Superbs all have Telonics 84Ws, 1 7/8” wide. The hole is 2”. On these.. just commenting

[Mark Hariman]

Thanks everyone for your help and advice! Per Lee's instructions, I have decided to file the pickup in order to fit the existing cavity. Took a while but finally got there and the pickup now fits. Now on to the fun task of listening and adjusting the X12 polepieces to its optimum position!

[Mark Hariman]

Regarding the Difference Between Superb and Exstar.
Mitsuo named the current model of Superb as Exstar.
There are countless versions of Superb with different specifications.
The characteristic of the Exstar model's changer.
It features a combination of pre-wound posts and a tuning mechanism.

Thank you for clearing that up Shoji
I had read in previous post where people thought the difference between the 2 models was the way the undercarriage was braced, however photos of the Superb and ExStar models show they're braced identically.

[Larry Allen]

When you set up the Telonics PU follow the instructions exactly..awesome PUs..I have used a sound level meter on some guitars to balance the string volumes..Larry

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

The only difference between the Superb and Exstar models produced around the same period is the changer and head structure.
The Superb's specifications constantly varied depending on the production period and Mitsuo's ideas. In the early Superb models, some wood was used in the cabinet, making the lineup highly diverse.

By the way, when Mitsuo designed the changer for the ExStar, he originally named it Superb II but later renamed it to Exstar.

[Mark Hariman]

Just wanted to give an update: I’ve managed to file down the sides of the X12 pickup to fit it within the existing pickup cavity. It’s pretty snug but that’s fine by me

I’ve done the pole piece adjustment as per Dave from Telonics’ advice and so far I’m digging it! Very balanced across all the strings and no more single coil hum.

Attached are pictures of the new pickup as well as the pole piece adjustment.

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