03X13125 (Not 03X13165) Is Resting Comfortably...

[dallastx]

...at it's new HOME!
 
Mica/Val,
 
Please look for an email I sent you both this morning regarding s/n mismatch.
 
The Rest Of You Guyz,
 
Ok people, its here and I'm FREAKIN' OUT!?!?!??!  After a quick inspection, I snapped off a few pics so I could get something up here ASAP.  Granted, this first pic is not award-winning, but it will give you an idea what I've got going on here.  Pardon the reflections, but this puppy is SHINY!  
 
Ok, I'm gonna need just a bit of help here:
 
Is it safe to assume that the neck pup is an MXY?  The documentation describes the obvious controls, but doesn't mention the pups specifically.  I'm fairly certain the other is a Fat Boy.  By the way, what does 'MXY' stand for???
 
I will try to take some better pics soon, but, as you can see, I have somewhat of a lighting problem.
 
Meantime, be advised of some specs:
 
Vermilion top
Pao Ferro fingerboard
Maple/walnut neck
Ash body
Maple/purpleheart accents
 
I can't attest to how it sounds, as I haven't plugged it in yet.  Rather, I am still recovering from the 'shock and awe'!
 
More to  come...
 
STeve  

[pookeymp]

Hey Steve,
 
I see why you're FREAKIN' OUT!?!?!??!  
BTW...I love the reflections...an indication of the beautiful finish.
 
Definitely post back once you plug this Baby in.
 
Mikey/

[dallastx]

Pookey,
 
Well, I DID just play it for a few minutes thru headphones.  I am happy to report that the unmistakable tone I was anticipating is VERY evident.  I can't really crank it up until my downstairs neighbor leaves for work (hope he's not off today).  It appears, of course, that it may need some tweeking after shipment.  However, I will give it the obligatory few days to settle before attempting any neck adjustments.  Especially given the recent weather here (I believe the weather-guessers said it has been the second wettest June on record).  The action is great at the nut, but a little high in the middle.  Plus, when sighting down the neck, its looks a bit curvy.  I also need to decide on what to do about strings, cuz if i'm gonna tweek the neck, I might as well put different (lighter) strings on it first.  Here's another shot across the front...
 
STeve
 
 
 

[lowlife]

I seem to recall that you had some concerns (in your other thread) about the neck sizing on the Excel.  Since you've already played it, did everyting turn out OK?
Ellery (Lowlife)

[valvil]

Hello Steve,
 
I just checked my mailbox and I do not have a message from you. Mica is not here today, so I don't know if she got hers. If you can resend it , that would be great.
 
Valentino

[dallastx]

Val,
 
I just resent it to the address listed here under your profile.  If that is not the correct addy, please advise.
 
THANKS!
 
STeve

[dallastx]

Lowlife,
 
Yeh man, no problem with the feel of the neck.  It is exactly as I was expecting/hoping it would be.  I played it a few minutes more (at low vol) thru my little Ampeg 1x10 cab, and it really SINGS.  I even flattened out all the tone controls on the Hartke top I use to practice with, cuz the Excel is such a tone monster.  Again (and I really being a whiner), my biggest concern at the moment is what to do about strings.  They can make or break my attitude toward a particular instrument and I definitely want to maintain a GOOD one here.  I 'like' the factory set, but I'm not 'wild' about them.  It will remain to be seen if I warm up to them during the next few days while I wait for the neck to settle.  
 
Also:  The volume knob appears to be a little loose and I was wondering how to get it off so I can inspect the shaft.  It is my understanding there is some sort of 'procedure' to removing them.  Any advice?  
 
PS-What's a 'collet'???
 
THANKS!
 
STeve

[lowlife]

I tried D'darrio but found them waaaaaay too sharp and bright.  They're great on a Fender J-Bass, but the Excel's pickups are way more sensitive.  I'm a big fan of the metalic-type sound, but they were too much.  At the advice of quite a few members of this club, I switched to DR Lo Riders.
For me, they have the 'sound' that I like.  It may be a trial and error type scenario until you find what your're looking for.  After all, what my ears find pleasing may not work for you.
Have fun.
 
Ellery (Lowlife)

[jure_the_second]

There was a thread about loose knobs, but looks like thread archive has some gaps...
 
Pry off the knob top. You will see a strange screw with two detents. Use the screwdriver to take the screw out. Now take the whole knob out ant tighten the nut. Be carefull with the tool !!
 
Put the knob back and that's it.
 
Jure