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Topic: Resurrection of an Excel |
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2008 8:54 am |
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I recently completed the rebuilding of a D-10 Excel pedal steel, including new mica. It was an interesting endeavor as I've never been next to an Excel before. It turned out very nice so I am posting some before and after pictures.
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Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2008 9:23 am
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Thank you,Pat!
Yes, the guitar has a real "clean" and "wholesome" look. I call it my "Jesus" guitar. 
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Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2008 10:10 am
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Pet,
I'm going to use it to "Give praises to the Lord on an instrument of 10 strings". (Psalms 33:2) |
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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2008 11:00 am
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| Very nice work Erv. I know the time and effort you put in on as I rebuilt a Dekley a few years back. |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 3 Dec 2008 11:35 am
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Nice One Erv !
bet the cat's happy w; another case too |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2008 11:36 am
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Dick,
The Excel was quite easy to work on. The guitar is basically held together with sluminum channel.
I had to completely disassemble the guitar but when I was done I had three separate pieces to re-mica. On most other pedal steels, the cabinet is all glued together and it isn't so easy. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2008 11:39 am
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CrowBear,
I had an ad on the forum a while ago wanting to buy a white guitar but with no luck. I had one nibble but then then the fellow changed his mind.
This guitar came from North Dakota so was already lubed with sardine oil! 
BTW: Kitty loved it!
Last edited by Erv Niehaus on 4 Dec 2008 7:04 am; edited 1 time in total |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 3 Dec 2008 3:25 pm Cool
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Erv, That Excel looks vaguely familiar..... Very nice work on your part and the color is cool too. The guitar looks like it died and went to heaven. steve t
Last edited by steve takacs on 6 Dec 2008 2:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Chet Wilcox
From:
Illinois, USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Dec 2008 3:58 pm
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| Erv, I built Dustin Rigby a White SD-10 And i still have some white Mica Left.I might bhild another one. Chet |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2008 7:08 am
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Steve,
Yes, that's the one.
Chet,
When I started this project, I was suprised that glossy white formica is hard to come by. I went on e-bay and wound up having to buy a full 4X8 sheet of it.
I have enought white formica left over to do a kitchen counter!!! |
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Charles Tilley
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Posted 1 Jun 2009 10:38 am Excel
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I am the guy that made a mistake and sold that guitar to Steve. I have always regretted it. That Excel with L-705 pups sounded better than any steel I have ever had.
I would love to have it back Erv.
Tilley |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 1 Jun 2009 11:14 am
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Charles,
I would have to think long and hard on that.
I did quite an extensive rebuild and refurbishing on that Excel after I got it. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 1 Jun 2009 11:44 am
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| pics kinda look like heaven and hell. not sure what it means, but i'm drawn to the evil black one! |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 1 Jun 2009 11:55 am
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Kind of reminds me of the old gospel song:
"Standing In The Need of Prayer"! |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 1 Jun 2009 3:27 pm
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Nice job Erv, it never ceases to amaze me, the fine jobs done by forum members building,rebuilding, refurbishing, and coming up with something new/different.
Turn it up, and make a loud and joyfull noise...
BF
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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Charles Tilley
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Posted 1 Jun 2009 6:17 pm Excel
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Erv, does it still have the L-705 pups in it. It was the greatest sound a person could want.
Send me an email just between you and me and tell me what it would cost me to own that guitar again---that is if that is even to be considered.
ttexastilley@sbcglobal.net |
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Bill Patton
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2009 1:28 am
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| That's a +1 for Jesus. Armageddon averted. |
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Scott Shipley
From:
The Ozark Mountains
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Posted 2 Jun 2009 1:31 am
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It's beautiful brother Erv, but ain't that an instrument of 20 strings?
_________________
Scott Shipley Facebook |
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Kevin Mincke
From:
Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2009 5:55 am
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Very nice job Erv!! Looks like the Truetones replaced the 705's but still bet it sounds just great  |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2009 6:43 am
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Scott,
That makes it twice as good! 
Tilley,
I never even tried the guitar with the L-705 pickups on it. I am a big fan of single wound pickups and the TruTones in particular. That's what's on it now.
The only way I would let the Excel go is if I could pick up another white guitar. I orginally posted a "want to buy" for a white Emmons and thought I had one located but the fellow backed out. Emmons has a light colored, wood grain mica that would be close enough. |
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