Excel changer issue

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Larry Allen
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Excel changer issue

Post by Larry Allen »

2 problem changer fingers.
Last edited by Larry Allen on 11 Dec 2024 11:05 am, edited 3 times in total.
Bobby D. Jones
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Post by Bobby D. Jones »

It looks like something in the changer or linkage has jumped out of position. It looks like the finger is pulled in the raised position, And not returning to open tuning position.

Looks like the only thing to do is, Turn the guitar over and see if anything on the 1st and 3rd string changer mechanics or pull linkage is not letting the changer finger return to open position.

Good Luck in finding and curing this problem.
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Chris Templeton
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Post by Chris Templeton »

What does the undercarriage/changer look like?
Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Sierra Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
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Jon Light (deceased)
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Re: Excel Changer issue

Post by Jon Light (deceased) »

Larry Allen wrote: any ideas?
One day Stu brought me a Desert Rose he had just unboxed. It had arrived with a detached lower return spring and the changer on that string 'inside out'.
The spring had popped and the string's recoil had put the fingers on the wrong side of each other.
It took loosening the string and then just manipulating things a bit to get things settled where they belonged.
No idea if this even relates to your guitar but it sort of looked like this.
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Larry Allen
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Changer

Post by Larry Allen »

Aloha Chris. I’m not seeing anything that looks different the rest?? Thanks for your response
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Chris Templeton
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Post by Chris Templeton »

Neither am I. Mmm
This is my Excel double neck Mitsuo made this shortly before his new system .A pedal and lap. Duane Marrs modified the keyhead and bridge on the lap neck to na 8 string and didn't charge me a thing to do the modification!
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Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Sierra Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.c ... the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8:
Justin Shaw
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Post by Justin Shaw »

you may want to contact fuzzy on instagram, because that looks really odd. They've been pretty responsive when I've contacted them in the past. All the best.
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Larry Allen
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Chris

Post by Larry Allen »

Have worked on several Excels for years getting parts from Mitsuo who I traded Alaskan Salmon for :D , mostly reconfiguring them and repairing to set up my ExtE9 copeds.. I’ve never seen this before, I’ve replaced some fingers before but never had the inside string ball holder move down , it Also will not budge when I tried to move it back…I will probably have to dissemble the guitar to get to the bottom of the issue… Justin..I sent an email to Fuzzy..hoping Mitsuo is still there (heard he retired).. chris. Duane Mars story.. I sent a 1979 Sho-Bud to Duane at Bobbe’s for an upgrade.. somehow Bobbie lost it for 6 months!!! One day Duane called me to see if I still owned it, etc.!!
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Jim Palenscar
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Post by Jim Palenscar »

If it were me I'd remove the lower return springs as well as loosen the tuning nuts- all of them on the affected strings and loosen the strings(in other words start from scratch). You should them be able to inspect the mechanism from the underneath and reposition the scissors in correct position. Generally the finger has slipped behind the scissor.
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Larry Allen
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Excel

Post by Larry Allen »

Mahalo Jim!!
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Jon Light (deceased)
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Post by Jon Light (deceased) »

That's where I was going in my post above.
Mike Vallandigham
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Post by Mike Vallandigham »

The raise helper springs (tight up against the body) are pulling the the raise fingers forward - which is normal if you have no strings on.

Try to actuate those back and see if the ball will fit in.


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Larry Allen
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Excel

Post by Larry Allen »

Mike I tried that first off, can’t get any movement ..maybe gummed up? Still working on it.. :eek:
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Larry Allen
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Excel

Post by Larry Allen »

Mahalo to all who chimed in the help me!! Mike I was able to push those in but could not get enough to get the ball in. Had to cut back (butcher) the front to get it in, back out the tightener to get it up to pitch.. back on the gig again tonite!! Contacted Mitsuo to see if he still had a changer there for this 2010 Superb..setting up a second Excel this month, back up :) :\
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Larry Dering
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Post by Larry Dering »

Larry, don't remove this post. It will help other players with a similar problem.
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Larry Allen
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Excel

Post by Larry Allen »

I already did Larry. I’ll leave it up and change the heading :eek:
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