A Question to SE Hollowbody Owners ...

[CrimesAgainstMusic]

Having just returned from a visit to the neighborhood Sam Ash, where they have a Standard on demo ...

I noticed something that I thought I would ask of owners of the guitar to see if this observation is a "one-off" or maybe something that occurs on other instruments ...

That is ... does the bridge on your guitar , appear to "lean in" towards the pickups ? That is , it is not perfectly perpendicular to the guitar body, as it leans in a bit ...

Not sure if this is a problem but just wondering ...

 

[Draconomics]

Well, I dont own one, but the problem you describe is not limited to hollowbodies. Pretty much all stoptail PRS SEs have this issue. In particular, the non-adjustable versions can be most troublesome. My PG had it too.

The reason is the bridge posts are not a pefect fit to the threaded bushings in the guitar body. Like any bolt, there is a little wiggle. Its not so much a flaw as it is just the way threaded rods and sockets are made. The other problem is a sort of flaw: the shoulder in the post where the bridge sits is slightly taller and thinner. The wiggle room from these two places allows the bridge to lean forward when under tension.

Solution is this: for the post threads, use teflon tape. Wrap the threads in it, and there ya go. For the post shoulder, get a mylar washer, cut a notch, place above bridge and under post head. That will take care of the wiggle room. All this should cost under two bucks.

 

[CrimesAgainstMusic]

Yeah ... no sooner than I posted , I looked at my S2 Mc Carty Thinline ... and saw a bit of forward tilt. I guess I wondered/looked at the Hollowbody first ... with concern that "structural integrity" might be a thing... (I know the bridge is anchored in a chunk of solid something) but I just wondered. ...

 

[kipkohl]

My SE 245 has a bit of forward tilt to the bridge. The bridge posts appear to be straight but the bridge itself tilts forward on the bridge posts. Has not caused any problems such as buzzing strings.

 

[dogrocketp]

My hollowbody does have a little lean. I got locking studs, and all is perfectly well.