2022 Custom 24 w/ Clicking Trem

[Bobd]

You may wanna check out : https://www.johnmannsguitarvault.com/mannmade-usa-tremolo-arm-bushing.htm

 

[MaxPow]

Do you still need help with this? It must have driven you mad.

Hey thanks for the follow up. It actually is still pissing me off quite a bit lol. The trem arm doesn't feel fully smooth and the clicking can actually be audible through the amp because the vibrations from the clicking in the trem socket travel through the bridge to the strings; super annoying.

I've been wanting to see if I can find a new plastic collar/bushing for the bridge but haven't been bothered to do so yet. Alternatively I suppose I could just deal with the tension on the trem arm but as I said in an earlier post, I like the trem arm to fall away from my hand a bit after use, I just wish the bushing was tight enough to not click, but still allow for the arm to move a little more freely.

If you have any tips, would be appreciated!

Hi.

This will help. I have severe Narcolepsy, so you might find some strange words where I’ve fallen asleep while typing. Sorry.

I don’t think that the bushing/collar for trem arm can make that sound through the amp. The correct action of the tremolo depends on a number of things, including the height of the bridge, amount of neck relief, number and type of springs, and the position of the claw.

But I’ve found some causes of clicking. I’m preparing instructions for you. Do you know how to do the following:

1. Measure neck relief
2. Tweak a two-way trussrod
3. Adjust notched tremolo bridge screws

If you can do setups, you will be able to steps 1 and 2. I can tell you how to adjust the screws, and there are a couple of great videos on setting the screws.

The clicking is probably coming from the nut, or from the tremolo screws. The tremolo’s knife edge slips out and back into the groove on the screws and causes the sound.

If the bridge is sitting too high, strings can be at the wrong pitch at the nut. As you tune or play, the strings get caught in the nut slots and make a clicking sound which might sound like nutlock, or it might click.

There are other factors, but I’ll send you a reply with that info and some instructions. This mostly comes down to bridge positioning, and neck relief, both of which affect string pitch at the nut.

I’ll explain it and tell you what to do. You might be able to fix it yourself, but you might have to take your PRS to a repairer. You don’t need to go to a luthier, but your repairer might be a luthier, and that’s okay, unless they charge more.

I’ll send the other stuff today Australia time. It’s about 2.00pm here now.

Cheers,
Max