Upgrading tuners

[Diablotin978]

Hello! I recently got a used SE Custom 22 from Reverb.com. It's all great but tuning stability leaves a bit to be desired, not the worst but could be better! I was searching the web and can't find new tuners, from reputable brands, that I would like to get, aprt from PRS themselves and from Grover. I'm not a fan of Grover tuners for aestetics and PRS tuners almosrt cost 200$. Is there any other option? I thought of Hipshot but I can't seem to find a set that the screw at the back of the headstock is at a 45° angle.

 

[toothace]

http://store.guitarvaultusa.com/MannMade_USA_Locking_Tuner_Set_p/7030.htm

I believe John recently posted he is offering the buy-back again, or you can send him your tuners and he will convert them(I took mine to his shop for this). Give him a call and he'll set you straight.

 

[jdag]

Just installed mine today...the John Mann tuner upgrade is a no-brainer. Highly recommended.

 

[Eddie kim]

Hipshot comes with ump so you should not any issue with the installation. Like the other, I would just get the locking tuner upgrade from John Mann.

 

[bodia]

As Eddie said, Hipshot offers a direct drop in, no screw set. It uses a plate (UMP) that locks in three on a side.

If it were me, I'd go the John Mann route.

 

[Diablotin978]

Thanks for the really fast anwser! The John Mann route is really appealing...the price too! I'll give it a go when the time will be right...thanks!

 

[John Mann]

http://store.guitarvaultusa.com/MannMade_USA_Locking_Tuner_Set_p/7030.htm

I believe John recently posted he is offering the buy-back again, or you can send him your tuners and he will convert them(I took mine to his shop for this). Give him a call and he'll set you straight.

CORRECT !

 

[garrett]

I believe the Schaller with 45 degree tabs fit as well.

John's version are really cool and fit the PRS vibe best.

I really liked the functionality of the Grover 406. If you don't like the little kidney bean buttons, Hipshot buttons will fit and they come in a bunch of different styles.

Make sure you get the nut sorted out as well. If you ever hear a pinging sound when using the trem or tuning, it means a string is hanging up and will have tuning stability issues that tuners won't solve.

 

[Gac]

On my new PRS SE 245, seems the standard nut is very large and has tight string slots. Having binding issues a couple of strings. This causing tuning problems. Is their an upgrade nut?

 

[grausch]

On my new PRS SE 245, seems the standard nut is very large and has tight string slots. Having binding issues a couple of strings. This causing tuning problems. Is their an upgrade nut?

There you go - https://us.prsaccessories.com/collections/parts/products/string-nuts-set-of-2.

You need the Wide Fat / Wide Thin nut.

 

[gush]

I have vintage lockers from John Mann on my Mccarty now. They rock. That is all.

 

[Cbouty]

On my new PRS SE 245, seems the standard nut is very large and has tight string slots. Having binding issues a couple of strings. This causing tuning problems. Is their an upgrade nut?

There are lots of opinions on the TONE you get from different nuts due to design and material it is made of...

However, tuning stability has only to do with two things - are the openings for the strings wide enough and are they smooth to allow the strings to slide when manipulated. You could buy a new nut, but unless you are looking for better tone it is very easy to fix your nut. This means no cutting out yours, chancing cracking the finish if you dont exacto knife perfectly and eliminating the new nut not lining up/being imperfect etc....

I have an SE singlecut and an SE C24... I did the following to both nuts and have had zero problems with tuning stability (although, to be fair, they both got the John Mann locking tuner upgrade - BIG SHOUT OUT to John Mann - the conversion is awesome!!!!!).

Take the guage string you want to use and put a peice of 800 grit sand paper bent over the end of the string (if youre replacing strings, use the old ones so you dont have to worry about kinking them). Run it back and forth in the groove a few times. Focus on widening the groove, not deepening it (ie more pressure on the sides). Once that string slides freely, wrap some 8000 grit sand paper over the string and then repeat the process. This time push on the sides and the bottom of the groove, as you arent removing material with this small grit paper, but instead burnishing the nut to make it very smooth. Quick vacuum to get rid of the dust and restring. You’re ready to rock.

I play my SE C24 aleast 3-4 times a week for an hour or two and haven’t had to retune for months at a time once the strings are broken in....

Check out this link from Phillip McKnight that taught me how to do this. It also has tips on replacing the nut if you chose to go this way.

You can also order liquid graphite to put in the nut slots, but have never needed it once the above was done.

 

[Gac]

Cbounty,

Thank you!! Top notch answers to my and problems others on this issue. You have been a great help!! Will do as you mentioned.

Not that it’s needed, but upgrading the tuners will look cool.

Thank you again and really like this PRS Forum!

 

[Gac]

There you go - https://us.prsaccessories.com/collections/parts/products/string-nuts-set-of-2.

You need the Wide Fat / Wide Thin nut.

 

[Gac]

grausch, Great information!! Thank you for your quick response!! I look forward to this PRS Forum!

 

[Gac]

Just installed mine today...the John Mann tuner upgrade is a no-brainer. Highly recommended.

 

[Gac]

What locking tuners work on a new PRS SE-245?

 

[Gac]

Cbounty,

Thank you!! Top notch answers to my and problems others on this issue. You have been a great help!! Will do mas you mentioned.

Not that it’s needed, but upgrading the tuners will look cool.

Thank you again and really like this PRS Forum!

Cbounty,

Thank you!! Top notch answers to my and problems others on this issue. You have been a great help!! Will do as you mentioned.

Not that it’s needed, but upgrading the tuners will look cool.

Thank you again and really like this PRS Forum!

What John Mann tuners fit a PRS SE 245?

 

[Gac]

Just installed mine today...the John Mann tuner upgrade is a no-brainer. Highly recommended.

Do they have tuners that fit the PRS SE-245?

 

[Eddie kim]

Like everyone has advised you already, send in your tuners to John Mann to modify to locking tuners, or buy the hipshot locking tuners with ump. No modification needed to install either.