Dull notes on 12th fret and up

[DuncanCE22]

I have a problem with my CE22 where any note fretted on the 12h fret or higher sounds really dull, almost dead. Its worse on the wound strings than it is on the plain ones. I thought this could be because I am using a slightly heavier gauge string than the guitar originally came with, I have tried adjusting the bridge and action but they don't seem to make much of a difference.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

I guess first question would be what gauge is " slightly heavier" ? Next I would go to the PRS site and look up the set-up for a CE and see how close you are to those numbers...string height, is the bridge the correct distance from the body, etc...

 

[Rider1260]

When you go to heavier strings a truss rod adjustment is often needed.
Notes that are fretting out ( dead ) are a symptom of the neck relief being set wrong.

 

[László]

I agree with Bill and Rider...this sounds like a guitar in need of a setup, and maybe even some work with the pickup heights...too close can be as bad as too far away.

 

[DuncanCE22]

The strings I use are ernie ball beefy slinkys, 11, 15, 22, 30, 42, 54. The guitar originally had PRS 9.5-44's on it.

As for neck relief I get a bit nervous adjusting the truss rod, How much do you recommend moving it and in which direction?

Hopefully I'll have some time to sit down with it tonight and look at the PRS site for set up tips.

Thanks for the help.

 

[John Beef]

Do you have a local guitar tech in Wantage? By the way, I looked at your town on Google Maps. Looks nice!

 

[Rider1260]

Most PRSi have double acting truss rods very easy adjustment

1) capo on first fret
2) fret at 12 fret
3) adjust rod until there is just a bit of light ( air ) at the 7th fret the specs are on the PRS website
a small adjustment goes a long way, go slow and give the neck a bit of time to settle after you adjust and recheck

The strings I use are ernie ball beefy slinkys, 11, 15, 22, 30, 42, 54. The guitar originally had PRS 9.5-44's on it.

As for neck relief I get a bit nervous adjusting the truss rod, How much do you recommend moving it and in which direction?

Hopefully I'll have some time to sit down with it tonight and look at the PRS site for set up tips.

Thanks for the help.

 

[DuncanCE22]

Do you have a local guitar tech in Wantage? By the way, I looked at your town on Google Maps. Looks nice!

There is a decent guy in a nearby town but he is pretty expensive. Thanks, it is quite a nice town but very small.

 

[DuncanCE22]

Most PRSi have double acting truss rods very easy adjustment

1) capo on first fret
2) fret at 12 fret
3) adjust rod until there is just a bit of light ( air ) at the 7th fret the specs are on the PRS website
a small adjustment goes a long way, go slow and give the neck a bit of time to settle after you adjust and recheck

Thank you. I have done that and it sounds a lot better, also made some adjustments to the term bridge and its sounding much better. thanks for all the help.