SHOJI: New Steel Guitar Brand from Japan

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

Regular 6-string guitar fretboards without markers are logical – most of the time you don't see them when you play, so the tiny side dots will do just fine. Also, holding a guitar neck in your hand involves a lot of muscle memory, helping you to find your way among the frets.

For a steel guitar I think fret markers are way more important, and should be easy to see (=biggish) and differentiate. What about roman numerals?

Also, if you want to be different, why not an oil&wax wood finish instead of the mica? And a metal logo. Would add much more perceived value than the actual cost.

John Larson · From: Pennsyltucky, USA

Toshiyuki Shoji · From: Japan

Thanks everyone for your input. It is very helpful.

I will explain why Excel uses all-aluminum cabinet and why I am continuing that specification.

I understand that many people prefer steel guitars with beautiful wood cabinets.
We have built steel guitars with wood cabinet in the past in Excel as well.

However, if the climate was too different from that of Japan, such as in extremely cold or very dry desert areas where the players live, the cabinets would sometimes warp or, in the worst case, crack.
We decided to use all-aluminum cabinet after much trial and error so that our customers can use our steel guitars with confidence after purchase.

All-aluminum cabinet are unbreakable in changing climates and have the advantage of minor cabinet drop.

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I say keep it basic and simple. Focus on the sound and reliability. Those little dot fret markers are elegant looking and functional. Very very nice. I think you should be true to your personal vision and not take the advice from us fussy and opinionated steel players very seriously.

Looking forward to seeing how things develop. I'm always on the lookout for a steel i can fly with.
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Bob

Toshiyuki Shoji · From: Japan

Thank you Bob.
To the extent I can, I will give my customers more options.

Dave Stagner · From: Minnesota, USA

This is very exciting! It feels like a completely modern, state of the art instrument.

I like the offset small dot fret markers myself. It reminds me of the minimal fret markers used on some acoustic guitars. And I love how the carbon fiber pedals look!
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Marco Schouten · From: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Those dots in the shape of a Japanese cherry blossom, that would be nice.
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John Larson · From: Pennsyltucky, USA

Lynn Kasdorf · From: Waterford Virginia, USA

Personally, I'd like to see the Shoji logo as markers, (without the word Shoji) offset near the top, like the dots. Ideally, colored and backlit.
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"You call that thing a guitar?"

Toshiyuki Shoji · From: Japan

If I can find a supplier and a stable supply of materials, I will also allow customers to choose titanium pedal rods.

With the joint installed, the stainless steel pedal rod weighs 87g and the titanium one 54g.

The material cost of titanium is 7 to 10 times that of stainless steel.
Each looks almost identical.
It is up to all of you to decide whether you are willing to pay for this slight difference in weight.

Lynn Kasdorf · From: Waterford Virginia, USA

W. C. Edgar · Posted 4 Oct 2024 5:12 pm

Dude!
I'm impressed Smile

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J D Sauser · From: Wellington, Florida

I am thrilled to see the brand go into a new generation!

Congratulations and Success!... J-D.
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Those who produce Tablature did never use it.

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Joe Bill Moad · From: Oklahoma

Ok
Gentleman I should not have posted this. I pm’Ed the guy and emailed him with no response that I saw thinking that he did not think I warranted a return note from him. Any way shape or form I know I am definately right on what I posted. I just hate to see American labor and Capitolism taken away with any product that is starting up from anywhere outside the boundaries of our Great Country.

Jbm
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Joe Bill Moad · From: Oklahoma

Also
I am a Native American for everyone’s information. I am not racist. I noticed that Sierra posted their or what their new prices would be. This is just a way for a couple of men out of 30,000 on this forum to show their ideas when in America we have the right to differ on any subject. As said in previous post, I shouldn’t have posted this at all. I just get tired of seeing it posted at the top every week or few days is all my difference is.

Ibm
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Don’t Worry About The Mule! Load The Wagon!

Joe A. Roberts · From: Seoul, South Korea

…who said ignorance is bliss? seems miserable Laughing

Toshiyuki Shoji · From: Japan

Hi Joe

I received your email at 8:08 a.m. Japan time on September 24, and sent you a reply at 9:01 a.m. the same day.
It is possible that my email is in your spam folder.

I am certain you have not read my reply to you, so I will send you another email.

Thank you.
Toshiyuki

Stew Crookes · From: Paris, France

Wonderful looking steels Toshi! It's great to see the Excel "DNA" will continue to move forward in innovative hands.

I love my Robostar, and when I'm in the market for my next steel, yours will certainly be at the very top of my list Cool

Wishing you much success!
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Music mixer, producer and pedal steel guitarist

stewcrookes.com

Toshiyuki Shoji · From: Japan

Hi Stew

Thank you!
You are the first person in the world to buy a Robostar.

Stew Crookes · From: Paris, France

Toshiyuki Shoji · From: Japan

We have received emails from time to time from people wanting older SGI models.
But Mitsuo would reply that they couldn't make it.

At that time, we received a repair request from a Japanese customer for a model similar to the SGI named trainer.
Mitsuo was so impressed by playing an instrument he built himself decades ago that he wanted to develop Robostar.

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

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Lots of videos (with pedal steel guitar) from Japan here:

https://youtube.com/@wildwoodroses?si=lYblzRpm2qI_XLeY

Be sure to click on Videos at the top of the page.
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Sonny Jenkins · From: Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx

I've known and had considerable communication with Toshi for quite some time,,,and KNOWN about this new start up from the beginning,,,,I have found him to be one of the most straight up, humble, old school Japanese respectable people I've ever known. I hate to hear anyone bad mouth him,,,,and KNOW for sure he takes it personally and is deeply hurt by it. He just happens to live in another part of the world,,,,and is an exceptional, precision oriented steel guitar builder (and player!!!!). The world is a lot smaller now than it was in WWII !!!!!

Imports from foreign countrys pay their tariffs.

If Toshi can get the backing and support he deserves he will be a MAJOR player in the PSG industry

Toshiyuki Shoji · From: Japan

As a practical matter, not many pedal steel guitar builders and players are young.
I don't want pedal steel guitars to become a relic of the past.
I would like to inherit the pedal steel guitar developed by a great American pioneer and eventually pass it on to the next generation.
Both Mitsuo and I are people who are fascinated by it.

It is a bad habit of Japanese people not to make excuses or refute.
I admit that it is taking time for me to buy all the production equipment for my factory and to determine the price.
In Japan, it's difficult to set up your own company and borrow money while being employed by a company.
I also need capital for my company to get a loan.
When I was working for Excel, the preparation I could do was to develop my prototypes and build my factory.

I am in the process of negotiating prices with my suppliers to ensure that my steel guitar prices are not excessively expensive.
I must avoid taking orders unprepared, making them unprofitable and causing the project to fail.
I have received many inquiries and expectations from many people. I apologize for the inconvenience, but please wait for a while now.

Thank you
Toshiyuki

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