My tuning stability issue with PRS Custom 22 SE

[LilyLazer]

What I meant is that a side of that is asymmetric. A side is more open.
My luthier acted on the screw with the strings tension. What is the risk? To ruin the bridge hole, the hole on the wood of the guitar or the screw notch?
Anyway, I need the tremolo, I bought this guitar because I wanted it. No dive bomb technic, but a vibrato yes.

 

[aphantomvaper]

Adjusting the trem screws at tension can cause the screw to break at the fulcrum notch.

 

[LilyLazer]

I can't read this anywhere: I have to https://prsguitars.com/support/article/prs_tremolo

«Adjust the claw screws about 1/4 turn at a time until the bridge floats perpendicular to and about 1/16th off the body. Loosening the claw screws counter-clockwise will raise the back of the bridge. Tightening the claw screws clockwise will lower the back of the bridge. Tune to pitch and check, re-adjust until the bridge sits properly.»

I really need to know if the fulcrum screw are ruined, please. Because every screw has a side of the notch more open than the opposite side. The image is in the previuos page.

 

[dogrocketp]

If the screw indentations are deeper on one SIDE than the other, they will not keep the trem in tune. That could be a large part of the problem. I would get new screws. It sounds like this was bought used. If bought new, your luthier did it. Check the bridge holes where the screws go through. They should be round. Theses are great guitars, and I’m sorry you’re having the problems you’ve been having. By the way, the picture showed up on my computer as blurry.

 

[LilyLazer]

Saying that it seems the screw are ruined. The image is slightly blurry, but the indentation deeper just on one side is there.
The guitar was new, that was still ok (except the G string pitched up after the heavily used of the bar, probably caused by the nut) before the last adjustment with my luthier. I was with him while he acted on the screws with the string in tension, saying that was ok.

I see a pair of version of bridge screws, I think those are called Gen II and Gen III.
Anyway, which are the right screws for the PRS Custom SE bridge?

 

[Draconomics]

Saying that it seems the screw are ruined. The image is slightly blurry, but the indentation deeper just on one side is there.
The guitar was new, that was still ok (except the G string pitched up after the heavily used of the bar, probably caused by the nut) before the last adjustment with my luthier. I was with him while he acted on the screws with the string in tension, saying that was ok.

I see a pair of version of bridge screws, I think those are called Gen II and Gen III.
Anyway, which are the right screws for the PRS Custom SE bridge?

To me, the image you posted of that screw looks fine, but it is blurry so call it a best guess. You really have to abuse them to ruin them. It is possible if you bought her used, the previous owner may have gooned them. Like dogrocket said, they all need to be in optimal condition for the trem to function properly.

Your luthier....oh boy. He said it was ok to adjust them while under tension? Yeah....no. Once again, I'm getting the impression we got a goochfest going on, lots of adjustments being made without knowing why they need to be adjusted. I almost wanna hop on a plane to Italy so I can go fix this thing.

As far as new ones go, manmade sells some on reverb. Those are my go-to's for new screws.

 

[LilyLazer]

Maybe the image is not so clear, but in the left side the notch appear wider. And alla the screws are like that.
I bought the guitar new, and the I used the bar for some vibrato thing, just for the first four months. Then I change the strings, my luthier set up the bridge and then I used the guitar just a few of time, until I found the G strings pitch up after and intensive use of the bar, so I take it off and never used it anymore, until I bring the guitar back to my luthier a some time ago. Later the bridge never worked well.

Can you link the bridge screw for a SE Custom, please? Just in case.

Here a better quality photo:

The right side is more open than the other side.

 

[Draconomics]

Maybe the image is not so clear, but in the left side the notch appear wider. And alla the screws are like that.
I bought the guitar new, and the I used the bar for some vibrato thing, just for the first four months. Then I change the strings, my luthier set up the bridge and then I used the guitar just a few of time, until I found the G strings pitch up after and intensive use of the bar, so I take it off and never used it anymore, until I bring the guitar back to my luthier a some time ago. Later the bridge never worked well.

Can you link the bridge screw for a SE Custom, please? Just in case.

Here a better quality photo:

The right side is more open than the other side.

Yup, those are rather gooched. You can see the metal has been worn quite a bit. The bridge may even be catching on the lip. Time to replace them.

 

[LilyLazer]

So, the reason why the bridge has not stability is because the screws are worn, or at least it's very very probable. Right?

Now, I can't understand where I have to buy the screws..
I found these Gen II and Gen III.:
https://eu.prsaccessories.com/products/tremolo-bridge-mounting-screws?_pos=1&_sid=5e9925f43&_ss=r
https://eu.prsaccessories.com/produ...-screws-6-gen-iii?_pos=4&_sid=5e9925f43&_ss=r

The image are the same, but I guess it's a mistake.
The thing I noticed is the thread flat and not sharp. And I suspect these screws are for US model, while my SE is made in Korea and I don't know where I can find a set like the original SE.

 

[bodia]

Maybe the image is not so clear, but in the left side the notch appear wider. And alla the screws are like that.
I bought the guitar new, and the I used the bar for some vibrato thing, just for the first four months. Then I change the strings, my luthier set up the bridge and then I used the guitar just a few of time, until I found the G strings pitch up after and intensive use of the bar, so I take it off and never used it anymore, until I bring the guitar back to my luthier a some time ago. Later the bridge never worked well.

Can you link the bridge screw for a SE Custom, please? Just in case.

Here a better quality photo:

The right side is more open than the other side.

These are the screws you will need.

https://reverb.com/item/32775720-mannmade-usa-mounting-screws-steel-nickel

 

[LilyLazer]

In the description:

• PRS CE, S2, SE Tremolo bridge #ACC-4502

I guess I don't need Mann bridge to mount this screws.

So it should be good. But I don't know if he deliver it in Italy and how much it could be cost to me. I think there are taxes to addict.

 

[bodia]

In the description:

• PRS CE, S2, SE Tremolo bridge #ACC-4502

I guess I don't need Mann bridge to mount this screws.

So it should be good. But I don't know if he deliver it in Italy and how much it could be cost to me. I think there are taxes to addict.

I’d send him a message in Reverb and ask. He’s a little old fashioned, so email may take a minute. If you were in the US, I would say to call him. He’s always willing to chat on the phone. Otherwise, PRS has a European Tech Center. Maybe they could help out?

 

[Rod/]

If the bridge is not parallel to the body, it’s set up wrong… also, your nut slots will have to be widened for those heavier strings. As others have mentioned, take it to a different guitar repair guy…

 

[LilyLazer]

Probably the bridge in the last attempts want's in parallel to the body (seeing from the back) because the screw are ruined. Seems to me the bridge tends to lean to one side even though the screws are aligned. But nevermind, now. I need to change the screws.

 

[LilyLazer]

Here's the MannMade Screws: https://www.johnmannsguitarvault.co...-Mounting-Screws-Brass---Nickel-x42807186.htm
The price is 25 $, the shipping in Italy 82 $. Total 107 $. With taxes (duty, VAT, etc...) I'll spend about 137 $. I could buy a new PRS SE bridge and save some dollars.

I'm waiting an answer from Prs Guitar Europe for an alternative, because the PRS Gen II and Gen III, of course, are not compatible. But, I don't know, I don't think PRS sells mounting screws bridge for SE.

 

[LilyLazer]

Hello.
I asked some advice to some people, and then, I got an answer from PRS Europe. They told me that from the factory in the US said the «Gen II screws will fit just fine» with the PRS SE Custom 22.
Well, if they says so it should be true. But looking at some PRS screws the thread appears different. Not sharp but flat and the last thing to do is spend 52 € to ruin the hole in the guitar, too.

Maybe that difference is because the picture is wrong. It could be just the Gen III the one with that flat thread. I need just this confirm to be quite.

 

[dogrocketp]

When you put the screws in, put some Vaseline or other lubricant on the screw threads. They’ll go in much easier.

 

[DISTORT6]

When you put the screws in, put some Vaseline or other lubricant on the screw threads. They’ll go in much easier.

I recommend bar-soap. Just scrape the screw across the bar.
Vaseline will seep out into the wood over time.

 

[Warmart]

I recommend bar-soap. Just scrape the screw across the bar.
Vaseline will seep out into the wood over time.

I'd recommend Irish Spring, for that "Clean as a whistle" feeling!

 

[LilyLazer]

I'm seeing this picture. It's hard to see and say if there some important difference between the notch of the two screws. Maybe it's a bit different, maybe the USA is just made well and it will be even better? it's enough for me if those screws fit at 100%.
A thing I can notice is the PRS USA is longer.
I need some information about the compatibility between the screws USA and SE and if there would be a need to make holes a little deeper.
Thanks