My new "Baby"

[Peter J Birch]

Hi Everyone, I thought I would like to share my new baby pictures with you. Nobody else I know seems to care.

I started playing a StageOne E9 about 22 months ago. Much of that time was trying to get a PF sound out of it. I have succeeded in getting a good sound out of it but there were so many chords that I couldn't seem to get. Also I liked western swing sounds which I can get on E9 but the C6 was like the Sirens from Homer's Odyssey luring me in....

Looking around, the lead times were very long for what I wanted. Then I came across Toshiyuki Shoji's name here on the forum. So I contacted Toshiyuki and we exchanged many, and I do mean many, emails in arriving at what I really wanted. I have to say that Toshiyuki was the most patient person. Here was this novice making unrealistic requests but with his engineering skills and knowledge of the PSG, we got there, well he did!

What I got was a Purple U12 Shoji 8P10K with locking B6 mechanism.

DSCF6286.JPG

One of the requirements I wanted was all the bells and whistles but light. The StageOne was 18Kg. So this was mainly aluminium and carbon fibre where we could. The final result was 19Kg.
The workmanship in this complicated instrument is very very good. Toshiyuki thankyou you are a very good engineer.
This is a quote from Toshiyuki from one of his emails:-
"Your copedent is quite complex — it’s a real challenge, but also very rewarding."

DSCF6275.JPG

DSCF6291.JPG

DSCF6287.JPG

I am sure Toshiyuki will not mind me posting his testing of the locking mechanism, before all the rodding work.

https://fb.watch/D2y87Duag8/

As you can see the gear lever which has worked so well. I used to pick reasonably quickly but slam that sucker into top gear and smoke pours from the finger tips!
The Strings are bedding in now and the sound I am getting is very good. This has a Steeltronics GL12-1 PU which gives a strong signal from all strings, very happy with the PU.

I see my immediate learning curve as a) getting the grips and new feel b) the extra grips on the lower strings (those bass strings remind me of baritone guitars. I can now play the intro to Detroit City which I could only do successfully on a guitar). c) B6 side next year. I have currently parked the shifter in neutral!

A very big thankyou to Toshiyuki Shoji for creating this masterpiece as serial number 5. May you have many more Toshiyuki in the future.

[Bobby D. Jones]

A work of machining art Mr. Shoji
That is one beautiful 8/7 loaded lady.
Detroit City. Whoopee
Now George Jones' "He stopped Loving Her Today".

[Marco Coblenz]

Would You mind to share Your copedent?

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

This was a very challenging guitar to build, but I truly enjoyed the process.
I hope it brings color and inspiration to your musical life.

I’m attaching the copedent for this guitar.

[Jerry Overstreet]

It's perfect Peter. I'm envious. Toshi, you are the man!

[Dale Rottacker]

This is very cool Peter, and like Jerry I'm a bit envious as well. Interesting setup and love that color, just because

[Marco Coblenz]

Beautiful guitar and interesting copedent!

Is there a specific rationale for the C on LKV (E9 side)? Typically, You would have here a Bb and still get the C as split with the A pedal.

What I also don‘t quite get is that there are 10 knee levers described but on the images I see only 7 (?)

[Chris Templeton]

美しいギターですね。おめでとうございます。この調子で頑張ってください！

[J D Sauser]

Kewl Baby to have.
I like that keyless tuner the best. Thumb screws are just great.
You got the pointed changer with the v-groove to keep the string from sliding left and right... GOOD.

Are those black anodized aluminum or carbon fiber legs?

... J-D.

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

I intentionally set the LKV to produce a C note in the E9 side, so that the full E augmented chord can be accessed instantly.

Although this guitar has only seven knee levers, the LKR on the E9 side and the LKL on the B6 side function as a shared bidirectional lever. In addition, the RKL and RKR are shared through the crossover mechanism. For these reasons, the guitar effectively offers the functionality of ten knee levers.

I’ve also made a video explaining the features of this guitar, so please feel free to take a look if you’re interested.

https://youtu.be/CY1Rb-eFeJk

The legs of this guitar are made from carbon fiber.

[Peter J Birch]

I am sorry to not have answered all your questions instantly but when you are awake I am sleeping, being "down-under". Thanks Toshiyuki for answering the questions, I don't think he ever sleeps

I am amazed at the level of detail you all focus on. JD with the grooved changers for example. It shows just how you all are into the development of the PSG.
The LKV was to accommodate what I had been doing on guitar all my life and is in millions of songs. Just by putting the finger on one fret above the 3rd note - to go in and out of the sus4 chord. Also very useful on single picked tunes to add in the raised 3rd. Remember I came from a StageOne with no vertical levers.

[Dennis Montgomery]

Wow! Congrats on your new baby...that pic of the undercarriage is damn impressive. Looks like a guitar that will last a lifetime

[Peter J Birch]

This is very cool Peter, and like Jerry I'm a bit envious as well. Interesting setup and love that color, just because

Thanks Dale, Shhhh! Everyone will want one that colour..

[Peter J Birch]

Looks like a guitar that will last a lifetime

Thanks Dennis, I just wish Toshiyuki could do some of his engineering on me to extend my lifetime to match.

[Peter J Birch]

This is what the "baby's" new clothes look like now.
This is how the overall setup is - all controlled by MIDI

PXL_20251208_001053676~2.png

The guitar input comes in at the back of the pedalboard (red/green lead).
Gets routed out to the volume pedal and back The two cables next to the input.
Then goes into the MIDI controlled loop switcher (centre)
Which switches to either the Session-LTD 400 or the Dream65 back to the switcher onto the VP4 FX's

PXL_20251208_001121594.png

This is the heart of the system. Songs are selected on the Android which sends MIDI Program change and BPM to the Morningstar MC6Pro. Which the selected preset determines the Preamp/VP4 FX's / and the Source Audio EQ2 preset.
I can also do manual. If from a supplied paper sheet which those two arms on the left can swing up and form a music stand.
Then select menu on the NUX switcher brings up a choice of song types on the MC6pro Eg Swing/Overdrive/Country/Ambient etc.
I had to make the steel holder as there is nowhere on a U12 to safely keep it. This is where I will make some shudder. I do NOT use finger picks. I have every sort from Alaska to nickle to arthritic but prefer the tactile nature of fingers (I have very loud fingers). However i do use a thumb pick, again have a load of traditional ones. I now use and have got used to the spring loaded Mountain picks. The Red ones shown in the picture I use for PSG but prefer the Grey ones for Dobro.

PXL_20251208_001151842.png

Lastly, I play this thru the return channel of a Tone Block 202 - Note All knobs do nothing except the Master.
This is a cabinet I had that I put a TT12 into. Put Aluminum legs on the side for tilt stand (You can just see the right one sticking out the back). I then got a multi-tool and cut away the rectangle in the back. It is securely held in place by the original back plate. Two screws and it all comes apart.

PXL_20251208_001243179.png