Excel JB Frypan endorsement

Scott Thomas · Post by **Scott Thomas** » 10 Jul 2000 4:01 pm

Hello everyone! I've just recently discovered the forum. It's a regular fountain of information, and I've already learned a lot. I have a question: I'm considering an Excel JB Frypan. Does anybody out there own one, and if so, how do you like it? My tastes tend toward vintage Hawaiian music,and obviously the JB has the look, but does it deliver credible Rickenbacher sound? Is it well-made guitar?

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 10 Jul 2000 4:30 pm

You have probably seen in Buy & Sell that Mark Davis is selling (or has sold) one. You can click the yellow envelope and email him to get his experience. I have heard that they are well made (Excel has a good rep for quality).

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 10 Jul 2000 4:37 pm

Hello Scott. Aside from the sound of the pickup - consider the location of the volume and tone knobs ! Will they intrude on how you like to position your right arm / hand when you play ? That's the drawback for me.[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 10 July 2000 at 06:02 PM.]

Scott Thomas · Post by **Scott Thomas** » 10 Jul 2000 6:42 pm

Thanks guys! Ask and ye shall receive. Actually, I hadn't checked out the ad in buy and sell. The pics are the most detailed I've yet seen of the instrument, and some of the comments with it are helpful. I hadn't seriously considered restrictions due to knob placement. I've taken freedom of hand movement for granted, since on my Stringmaster, they're nowhere near. But definitey something to think about, yes. Don't know if Scotty has the U.S. market sewn up, but if a place here in N. California carries them, a test drive is in order.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 10 Jul 2000 8:20 pm

The Excel "JB" is far superior to the original Sho-Bud "JB" but neither comes close to the tone of an old pre-war Rickenbacker frypan IMHO. Ya gotta remember, neither the Excel or the Sho-Bud have genuine horseshoe magnet pickups as did the Ric frypan, and therein lies the difference.
Those "horseshoes" are decorative only.

Mark Davis · Post by **Mark Davis** » 11 Jul 2000 12:35 am

Hi Scott. I dont have any problem at all hitting my hands or working the tone or volume controls on my Frypan. Its still for sale as I type this msg but might not last too long have alot of interested parties in it.

I juat sold a 1939 Silver Hawaiian and comparing the sound between recordings I made with it and the frypan you can hardly tell which one is which. The frypan sustains a little more and has a slightly fuller sound probably due to its body mass which is quite heavy for a lap steel. It sustains really good.

I would never be selling it if it werent for a steel I just had to have and spent all my savings on so have to sell the frypan to be able to eat the rest of this month

[This message was edited by Mark Davis on 11 July 2000 at 01:38 AM.]

Ian McLatchie · Post by **Ian McLatchie** » 11 Jul 2000 6:18 am

Pretty twisted priorities you've got there, Mark!

Mark Davis · Post by **Mark Davis** » 11 Jul 2000 8:58 am

Ya Ian I really went out on a limb so to speak to get this new steel I found.

I have a grand total of (are you ready) $7 to last me till the end of the month!!

I completly wiped out all my savings account everything.

Sometimes you see something you just HAVE to have and will do drastic things to get it this was one of those times.

Ian McLatchie · Post by **Ian McLatchie** » 11 Jul 2000 6:26 pm

I think you misunderstand me, Mark. There's nothing twisted about emptying your bank account to buy an instrument, it's the selling a steel to buy food part I'm not sure about!

Mark Davis · Post by **Mark Davis** » 11 Jul 2000 10:59 pm

LOL Ian

Near the end of the month I might be eating plain strings with tomato sauce, tried the wound strings allready and they are kinda tough!!

Next week I'll post some pics of my new treasure and you will see why I just HAD to have this one.

Sur Singh · Post by **Sur Singh** » 12 Jul 2000 7:36 am

... and maybe you can also post a audio/video clip too?