Your thoughts on a "convertible" PSG?

Alan Struthers · From: New Jersey, USA

I've been playing about 16 months on an S10 E9 and have been starting to think about getting a different instrument for C6 possibilities. (And I know I have much to learn on the E9 neck, but I'd like to try to learn some jazz voicings for western swing and I don't mind spending the money for a second professional-level guitar.)
I've read the discussions about U12 vs. E9/C6 vs. ext E9, but I just ran across a type of PS called a "convertible," where a lever switches between E9 and C6 and, apparently, all the pedals and knee levers work in both tunings. Obviously, this type of PSG would not have the ability of a U12 to mix the possibilities of both tunings, but are there other disadvantages or advantages to a convertible guitar? Does anyone here play one? Would one be useful for a newby like me?
Thanks in advance for your help!
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Gettin' better . . .
Excel ExSTAR U12, Mullen Royal Precision D-10, MCI SD10, Peavy Nashville 112, Fender Princeton, Gibson RB-3, Gold Tone dobro, Martin D-18, and other stuff

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I think Sho~Bud was the first to do this on a model called a "Crossover", but that was decades ago. It worked, after a fashion, but never caught on due to some occasional problems with the mechanism. As I recall, Excel (Fuzzy) also made one or two of them, and that model was reported to work better, but I've never seen or played one. My advice for a beginner would be to go with something more standard, preferably a D10 or maybe a U12 (Universal tuning) guitar with what's called a lock lever. You might have better luck finding one of those, since a couple of companies made them.

This thread (among many) may give you some more insight:

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=372294&highlight=d13

K Maul · From: Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL

Williams makes a Crossover(or used to) thatâ€™s a better design than the old ShoBuds. EXCEL and Williams are both very high quality guitars.
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KEVIN MAUL: Airline, Beard, Clinesmith, Donner, Evans, Excel, Fender, Fluger, GFI, Gibson, Hilton, Ibanez, Justice, K+K, Live Strings, MOYO, National, Oahu, Peterson, Quilter, Rickenbacher, Sho~Bud, Supro, TC, Ultimate, VHT, Williams, X-otic, Yamaha, ZKing.

Kelcey ONeil · From: Sevierville, TN

Youâ€™d most likely be better off with a D10, or if youâ€™re fine with having two guitars, an S12 in some kind of C universal tuning rather than an E9/B6 deal.
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Co-owner and operator: Emmons Guitar Co.

Dave Magram · From: San Jose, California, USA

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

Alan, you said "mix the possibilities" which is a clue that you should consider the B6/E9 universal tuning which is the most common.

And you don't have to wait until you've mastered the E9 before you explore C6. I started on a D10 and studied both in parallel (with the rear neck tuned down to B6). I soon swapped to a uni and there is a lot of useful overlap between the tunings.

Tip - the Day setup works best as having pedals A and 5 together is very useful. Also I have never used a lever lock.
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Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs

Mike Vallandigham · From: Martinez, CA

You're probably talking about the Excel S-12 Superb. E9/C6 gear-shifter.

There's nothing to know about these, they are exactly the same as having a D-12 (with however many pedals and knees you like). Only difference is that you don't have to move your hands from one neck to the other?

It's exactly the same as a D-10 or D12.

It can also become a U12 with the gear-shifter doing the B lever thing.

It's the same mechanism, on a E9/C6 S-12, 10 of the 12 strings are retuned. And the Right Knee Levers change function.

These work flawlessly. I have two.

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