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Topic: MCI Range Expander SD-10 - Sold |
Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 2 Mar 2012 5:54 pm |
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I have been on the fence about selling my MCI Range Expander for a while, but I have the wants for new steel. I’m probably going to regret this, but here goes.
This steel has 3 pedals and 4 knee levers and a triple raise/triple lower, all pull changer. The pedals are Emmons setup. RKL lowers the Es. RKR raises the Es. LKR raises 1 and lowers 6. LKL lowers 2 and 9. The quick change bell cranks make tweaking the copedent about as easy it can be. The pickup is a GeorgeLs PF-1.
I have owned this guitar for a little more than a year. I cleaned every part that I could get to without pulling the changer. All moving parts, including the changer, got a thorough flushing with plastic-safe parts cleaner, followed by naphtha. I then lubed everything with TriFlow. I hand polished all of the metal except for three cross shafts with steel wool and Mother’s polish. That's when the flaw in the front endplate on the changer end (posting photo) appeared. I pulled the keyhead, removed the tuning keys, and polished them. I also removed the neck, cleaned under it, and polished the sides.
There are a few required character marks in the metal. I couldn't get all of them out without going too deep in a few places, but the improvement is drastic. The only place that I didn't work on was the inside of the pedal bar. Both aprons have a scuff in the mica. I tried to make them look as bad as I could in the photos. It looks better in person. The light has to hit them at the right angle before they are really noticeable.
There have been several forum postings about MCI/EMCI guitars. They steels have great tone, good sustain, and play very smoothly. I haven’t played every steel out there, but I have played several. The bar glides up and down this guitar’s neck as smoothly as any of them; more smoothly than most, regardless of age.
$1750 shipped to the lower 48 states. I prefer a postal money order, but will take PayPal if you add their 3% fee.
Mar in front apron mica
Mar in rear apron mica
The "extra" pull rod next to the 10th string is a "feel" half stop for the 2nd string lower.
Flaw in the front, changer endplate casting.
_________________
Hey, mister, how do you pedal that thing anyway?
"The worst an honest man can do is make an honest mistake" - Augustus McCrae
"From the sweet grass to the packing house, birth 'til death, we travel between the eternities" - Prentiss Ritter
Too many steels, amps & other stuff, and an open mind. I have tube amp bias.
Last edited by Jim Cooley on 1 Apr 2012 5:18 am; edited 5 times in total |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 3 Mar 2012 9:20 am better photo - more info.
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| I added a better front photo. |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 4 Mar 2012 5:14 pm More information
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When I was polishing and cleaning this steel, I also adjusted the play in the cross shafts.
This steel plays well. The knee levers are smoother than my Sho-Bud LDG's. The pedals are not as "soft" as those on my LDG, but they are not stiff at all. I like to feel the pulls on a steel to a certain extent. The pedal action on this guitar is smooth while still letting me feel the action. Of course that's subjective, but it's as good of a description as I can give.
In my original posting I forgot to mention that the outside of the case is good structurally, but it has quite a bit of gorilla tape on it because the covering was coming loose in several places. The flocking that the steel rests on inside and in the top is worn down. I keep a couple of small pieces of bubble wrap inside to use when I carry it out of the house. I apologize for the oversight.
Make me a reasonable offer.
Last edited by Jim Cooley on 6 Mar 2012 1:22 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2012 6:53 am
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I'll most likely have it on display in the Rains room at the Dallas show if it doesn't sell before Thursday.
Any offers? |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2012 1:26 pm
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| Updated content. |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2012 4:02 pm
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| Taking it to the Dallas show - might be in the Rains room after all. |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 11 Mar 2012 7:08 pm
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| Thanks to everyone who looked at this steel in Dallas, and thank you for all of the positive comments. It's still for sale. $1795 shipped. |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 14 Mar 2012 7:31 am
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Jim, I hope you are 100% convinced you want to sell this great guitar. It's one of the best steels ever made. I think you'll really regret letting it go.
If someone does buy it, they'll be getting one h3ll of a deal. Almost every feature of these Rangexpanders was designed exactly right. Not many steel brands can boast that. For a working player they are perfect...rugged frame, accurate pedals and knees, great sustain, easy maintenance, etc., etc. The list could go on and on.
And Rangexpanders rarely come up for sale. Grab it while you can at this bargain price.
Best of luck, Jim.
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Best regards,
Mike |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 14 Mar 2012 7:51 am
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| Mike - I have second thoughts about it from time to time. I might have already closed the posting if not for pressure from "an undisclosed source who is not authorized to publicly discuss..." |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 19 Mar 2012 4:17 pm
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| New Price - $1750 shipped to the lower 48 states before I change my mind. |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2012 5:32 am
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| Lots of inquiries-still here. |
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Phil Ajjarapu
From:
Portland, via Austin, TX via Chicago
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Posted 26 Mar 2012 6:58 am
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Jim, I haven't been playing steel very long, it'll be three years in August, but I've gigged alot, and owned an MSA vintage XL, an MSA classic Universal, a Shobud Pro II d-10, an MSA exe9 12 string, an MCI exe9 12 string (which i regret letting go), and since Jan. I've been enjoying my EMCI SD-10, which is by far my favorite of the bunch, it's not even close. If you're jonesing for something new, maybe sell the LDG, you'd probably take less of a hit since they're so highly regarded.
Just a thought. |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 29 Mar 2012 5:16 pm
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| Sale pending |
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Danny Bates
From:
Fresno, CA. USA
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Posted 30 Mar 2012 3:39 pm
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 1 Apr 2012 5:19 am
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| Sold. Forum donation sent. Thanks to everyone who expressed interest. Thanks, b0b for the invaluable service that you provide. |
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