Do I need a new bridge? (Pics)

[Rohann]

Hi all,

*This may be a long explanation, so skip past the "-----" if you simply want to answer*


I recently became the hyper-ecstatic owner of a used CU24 (2002) with a trem. It's been through the hands of two owners I believe, one being a local recording studio. First 15 frets have been refretted once by the studio owner - no cracks or damage to the neck as far as I can tell

I've been playing it a few weeks, and kept noticing I'd have to re-tune mid session and every time I picked it up again. This is something I'd normally expect from a guitar, but I'd heard trem PRS's stay in tune very well. I played with the trem before I bought it too and it certainly did stay in tune well.

However, when I was playing around at home, I noticed after playing with the trem, notes sounded very slightly sharp/flat. I threw the tuner on and noticed every time I would depress the bridge with my hand (not the trem bar, so rather lightly), after being in tune, notes would be slightly sharp if I pulled up, and slightly flat if I pushed down.

I got searching on here and PRS's site, and noticed a setup instructions pasted from the birds and moons site, as well as the PRS setup guide. Anyway, long story short, the six bridge screws in front of the saddles were not all lined up, and the knife edge didn't look like it was in contact with the slots. (*I would NEVER have touched a setup done by PRS, but this looked re-setup afterwards and being a fairly precise, logical guy, and not really trusting local luthiers, I decided to check it out myself).

Checked it out, and it appears a slotted screw has been replaced by simply a regular screw. Result seems like there's a ton of wear on the knife edge of the bridge (see pictures).
-------------------------------------
MAIN QUESTION:
1. Do I need to order a new bridge? I would waaay rather send this to PTC but I'm in Canada and shipping rates across the border are absolutely ludicrous either way (i.e. UPS and their "border handling fee" and Canada post).
2. Am I completely wrong and this "odd out" screw is somehow fine?
3. Would the situation be fixed with new screws?


PS. Got the guitar for about $900 CAD, or $800 USD. Trusted the guy I bought it from, and guitar looked great when I bought it. Even having to replace the bridge, and refret down the road - good deal or no?

 

[Rohann]

Here are pictures. I removed the 4 trem springs from the claw behind the backplate so the bridge would lay freely on the body (on top of some paper of course). You can see the obvious burring in the screw hole without a screw. Found this on another hole too.

Is this normal or did someone make a moronic decision?

Screw I carefully removed:

 

[John Beef]

Someone did make a moronic decision. Is it just that one screw? The others look correct to me.

I know the knife edge is required for the vibrato to work properly. However, I don't know how far out of spec it can get before it's hosed entirely.

You can get replacement screws here :
http://www.prsaccessories.com/collections/bridges/products/tremolo-bridge-mounting-screws
Or from an authorized dealer.

I can't help but think that maybe it can be fixed, and the only person that comes to mind would be John Mann at guitarvaultusa.com.

 

[Jazzedout]

Certainly someone that did not know what he was doing has worked on the guitar...
the screw that you removed looks like being for a Strat trem, but as you noticed the others are notched were they meet the trem.
Check the PRS site for correct trem setup: http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/bridges.html
Also are the pickups original? It looks like someone lowered the pickup screws a lot...
Are you sure this is a Custom 24 and not a Standard 24? It looks like a solid color guitar. Does it have maple binding at the edges?

 

[Egads]

I think someone needs a road trip to MD!

Even if you have to replace the trem, it's not a bad deal. Would definitely try replacing the screws and setting it up correctly. If you are still having issues, you could order a new bridge.

 

[Rohann]

John Beef: Thanks, I'll send him an email. Wish I knew what to look for before buying.

Jazzedout: Is there a way to tell if pickups are original? Last guy who had it (I doubt the guy who made these adjustments) said they were PRS as far as he knew.
Serial on the back is six numbers, 263###(is internet posting serials safe?), looked it up and it is a CU24 at least according to the PRS site. Don't think there's a maple binding, looks like it goes straight from rosewood to neck. Will have to double check when it's in front of me. Does the standard have a maple binding? It is solid color, but I thought Customs have solid options?

Here it is from the front:

Headstock

Moons and frets (sorry for poor res)

Egads: Hopefully it's the only thing wrong with it and I didn't blow a grand on a lemon.

 

[Rider1260]

John Mann or PTC will get you all squared up.
I know John has said he can fix bridges that are damaged in the past.

 

[Rohann]

Edit: Sorry, mobile made pics hard to upload.

Thanks guys. As much as I'd love to send to PTC, I'm in west coast Canada and shipping the guitar will be hundreds possibly. Does PTC fix just bridges? I wish I could have them sort it out and set up but again, $$$.

If it's not a lemon with fake pickups that's actually a CU24 I'll get in touch with John.

 

[Rohann]

Wait...this is a Standard isn't it?

 

[Jazzedout]

First of all it is a real PRS, not a fake. Even for a Standard the price you got it sounds ok.
It looks like a Standard (all mahogany) to me... Your safest bet is emailing PRS with the serial and they'll tell you exactly what it is...
When you change strings, remove the pickups and you'll see what they are. Most probably HFS and Vintage Bass (Great combo IMHO).
Regarding the trem: I don't think you need a new unit. I would get a new set of the six screws from John Mann, or a PRS dealer in your area, would clean the trem and set it up as per the PRS instructions.
Check this video from 1:50' onward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XylPbPh2JsM

 

[Rohann]

Good to know - didn't doubt it was real, was just worried I got a "lemon" guitar that had switched out pickups pretending to be PRS pickups. I emailed PRS so just waiting on that. Just disappointing to think I found my non-specific "dream" guitar and realize it's something other than what I thought.

Glad to know about the trem. There's a local luthier in town who's quite well known and he mentioned he's worked on lots of American PRS's, and that he resharpens trem knife edges. Would you trust someone similar, or send to someone specific? I know he owns (in the shop)/has worked on Fenders from the '50s and '60s, not sure if that means anything (aside from the fact that he works on expensive guitars). I'm hesitant to send it anywhere in the US as the border fees and shipping costs are insane.

Regarding pickups, how easy is it to do this? I'm not a luthier or experienced by any measure, simply curious, obsessed with "figuring out" and fairly careful.

 

[Rohann]

PS - Anyone want to trade a CU24 for a Standard (plus some dollars) ?

 

[Rohann]

Edit: So the local luthier turned out to be someone who was Satriani's tech for a while, and has done work for AC/DC, Metallica (both James and Kirk), etc etc. I handed it off to him and he mentioned it won't be a problem.

What I also noticed (hooray...), is that the bridge (where the screws go at least) is slightly bent, i.e. dipped in the middle a hair (in the thousands of an inch range). Will this be a problem for its longevity, or for function of the trem?
Also, will re-machining the screw slots in the bridge a bit affect it negatively? They'll be a hair deeper than before.

 

[ADP]

If the part of the bridge around the hole that might interfere with the operation of the bridge is removed, only the other five screws will be in contact with the knife-edge, which is fine. Or, if the luthier decides to machine the holes so that they're all even, then you have a nice clean knife-edge sitting against six screws. That's also perfectly fine. At the very most, the saddles will have to be moved back a few thousands of an inch to compensate.

Your biggest problem will be how long it'll be before you decide you need to buy a Custom to go along with your Standard.

 

[John Mann]

Hi all,

*This may be a long explanation, so skip past the "-----" if you simply want to answer*


I recently became the hyper-ecstatic owner of a used CU24 (2002) with a trem. It's been through the hands of two owners I believe, one being a local recording studio. First 15 frets have been refretted once by the studio owner - no cracks or damage to the neck as far as I can tell

I've been playing it a few weeks, and kept noticing I'd have to re-tune mid session and every time I picked it up again. This is something I'd normally expect from a guitar, but I'd heard trem PRS's stay in tune very well. I played with the trem before I bought it too and it certainly did stay in tune well.



However, when I was playing around at home, I noticed after playing with the trem, notes sounded very slightly sharp/flat. I threw the tuner on and noticed every time I would depress the bridge with my hand (not the trem bar, so rather lightly), after being in tune, notes would be slightly sharp if I pulled up, and slightly flat if I pushed down.

I got searching on here and PRS's site, and noticed a setup instructions pasted from the birds and moons site, as well as the PRS setup guide. Anyway, long story short, the six bridge screws in front of the saddles were not all lined up, and the knife edge didn't look like it was in contact with the slots. (*I would NEVER have touched a setup done by PRS, but this looked re-setup afterwards and being a fairly precise, logical guy, and not really trusting local luthiers, I decided to check it out myself).

Checked it out, and it appears a slotted screw has been replaced by simply a regular screw. Result seems like there's a ton of wear on the knife edge of the bridge (see pictures).
-------------------------------------
MAIN QUESTION:
1. Do I need to order a new bridge? I would waaay rather send this to PTC but I'm in Canada and shipping rates across the border are absolutely ludicrous either way (i.e. UPS and their "border handling fee" and Canada post).
2. Am I completely wrong and this "odd out" screw is somehow fine?
3. Would the situation be fixed with new screws?


PS. Got the guitar for about $900 CAD, or $800 USD. Trusted the guy I bought it from, and guitar looked great when I bought it. Even having to replace the bridge, and refret down the road - good deal or no?

----------------------------

I have been pretty successfully at repairing damaged bridges. feel free to call or email me to discuss this in greater detail.

Regards,

John

 

[gush]

Edit: So the local luthier turned out to be someone who was Satriani's tech for a while, and has done work for AC/DC, Metallica (both James and Kirk), etc etc. I handed it off to him and he mentioned it won't be a problem.

What I also noticed (hooray...), is that the bridge (where the screws go at least) is slightly bent, i.e. dipped in the middle a hair (in the thousands of an inch range). Will this be a problem for its longevity, or for function of the trem?
Also, will re-machining the screw slots in the bridge a bit affect it negatively? They'll be a hair deeper than before.

I have a prs with this issue as well. I kept thinking I was crazy but I haven't taken the trem off to put a straight edge to it to know for sure. It looks like it dips in the middle to me just as you have described. I have been making changes to this guitar so in a few short weeks I will do a complete set up myself and if it still intonates and stays it tune then I won't worry about the dip in the trem plate.