deathworlder
; )
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2023
- Messages
- 1,032
I'd disassemble and re-arrange saddles until the height and size of the slots worked.
Hollow Body 2 SE help with setup
- Thread starter Michael Go
- Start date
deathworlder
; )
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2023
- Messages
- 1,032
I'd use an under-string radius gauge...The ones to check fretboard radius? Yes, but I am suspect of their quality and accuracy. So, I was taking the strings off to get ready to put 10-46 ga on there just to try anything. I don't see how that would fix the problem, but hey, nothing I've done so far is working. Anyway, now I have a little "situation". I'll share a pic to show you. The bridge came loose from the wire that attached to the pickup on bottom of the bridge (is that how it works?) So I'm about to try to reattach that before I do anything else. (pic below)
iCloud Photos - Apple iCloud
View, organize, and share photos and videos with iCloud Photos on the web. Changes will sync across your devices with iCloud.share.icloud.com
The bridge does not look to have any structural damage or to be off in any way.
From above: The 5th/6th strings do not rest inside the saddles, but lie over the top of the slot. But 1-4 easily sit down in their slots. Is it supposed to be that way?
iCloud Photos - Apple iCloud
View, organize, and share photos and videos with iCloud Photos on the web. Changes will sync across your devices with iCloud.share.icloud.com
Front:
iCloud Photos - Apple iCloud
View, organize, and share photos and videos with iCloud Photos on the web. Changes will sync across your devices with iCloud.share.icloud.com
Back
iCloud Photos - Apple iCloud
View, organize, and share photos and videos with iCloud Photos on the web. Changes will sync across your devices with iCloud.share.icloud.com
If you, or anyone else, sees anything that looks off, let me know please. This is my first bridge like this, and first PRS
Mind Flayer
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2018
- Messages
- 88
It sounds to me like you may be keeping the guitar in too dry of an environment. You say you have it in a basement with air conditioning and that you have a machine that sucks the humidity out of the air. If so, I bet your basement is dry as a bone. Get a hyrdrometer and see what your humidity level is; if it’s below 30 or 40, it’s too dry in there, and the wood on the body may have dried out. I’m not familiar enough with the hollowbody model, but on an acoustic, if this happens, your guitar is going to go way out of whack because the body can be bowing since it’s not solid wood, which messes with the bridge and the string angle.
I’d try to leave your guitar in a more humid area, or use humidipaks in a case, for a week or so and see if that corrects the issue.
I’d try to leave your guitar in a more humid area, or use humidipaks in a case, for a week or so and see if that corrects the issue.
d^rren
Purveyor of unpopular opinions.
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2019
- Messages
- 481
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this yet, but your nut looks like it's REALLY low. Your plain strings look like they're almost touching the first fret, which is VERY low. With a nut cut that low, the rest of your setup has to be seriously dialled in, with very little room for error.
How this changed from when you first got the guitar is a puzzle. It's possible that 11-48 is just not a good gauge for that instrument. That's a medium top and light bottom set, which might be putting uneven string tension across the neck. Try going back to 10-46 or 10-50 balanced tension set.
Another possibility is that you've got a bit of fret sprout on an upper fret. If you have buzzing everywhere, it's usually a high fret further up the fretboard that's the problem.
If you can't get it settled back into playing clean without buzzing, you may need to take it to a tech for a new nut and/or a fret level.
How this changed from when you first got the guitar is a puzzle. It's possible that 11-48 is just not a good gauge for that instrument. That's a medium top and light bottom set, which might be putting uneven string tension across the neck. Try going back to 10-46 or 10-50 balanced tension set.
Another possibility is that you've got a bit of fret sprout on an upper fret. If you have buzzing everywhere, it's usually a high fret further up the fretboard that's the problem.
If you can't get it settled back into playing clean without buzzing, you may need to take it to a tech for a new nut and/or a fret level.
Michael Go
New Member
You know, I haven't even thought of that. So I just went to check. The dehumidifier is a relatively new one (less than 5 yrs probably) and is set at 50% humidity. Sometimes I will go into the basement and it will be off, but I assume that it has caught up. So it's not on constantly. I am in Georgia, so this time of year is humid and will get more humid until late September. When I was changing the strings, I noticed that the bridge does have some (very slight, but probably enough) forward play to it. I can push down on the rear of it and it will very slightly rock back and forth on the posts. I saw a video where a guy was addressing that, and put a very thin washer on that side of the posts to remedy that problem. I may see if that works.
Michael Go
New Member
I didn't realize that could be done. The slots don't look like there's a way for them to come out. Could be though. They appear to be the same size.
Michael Go
New Member
I used a ten radius and the strings sat right on top of the gauge with slight upward pressure. All strings would buzz like they should when holding radius gauge underneath.
Michael Go
New Member
I have done the test where you fret the third and see if there is any space between the string and the 1st on each string. You are right: they are down low, but there is enough space for me to put my old man glasses on and barely see the string move down to touch metal and go back up. But it's not much. When I got the guitar, I looked at that nut with a double-take, because it looks like the strings just sit right on top with no grooves or slots to sit down in like I'm used to seeing. I haven't bothered it either. I replied to another person that when the strings are off, there is a slight bit of play in the bridge, back and forth, when I press down on the back of it. I saw a video of a guy showing how to fix that.
Oh, also, I read on the PRS website about the adjustable stop tail that it is designed for heavier gauge strings. Go figure. I just saw that yesterday. You guys are super helpful, being as no one is paying for your advice. Thank you very much.
dogrocketp
I drank the PRS kool aid, and it was tasty!
Time to take it to a qualified luthier. The radius of the neck is set up during manufacturing so radius gauges won’t tell you anything useful. Disassembling the bridge absolutely will not solve the problem. You have unintentionally disconnected the piezo wire, not a good thing. I did the same thing when I changed the strings first time. The bridge is to be left on when changing the strings. A luthier can show you how to curl the ends with your fingers to change the strings. The nut doesn’t suddenly change when you change string gauges. If you renotched it, that could be the problem. Get a real pro to sort it out.
Michael Go
New Member
See if these pics of the bridge can be seen. Look at how much space is created between the bolt and where it should be connected to the bridge body (especially treble side). That would make those strings point more downward it seems.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/082EuHr9JpeFZ8UuUFy8e5lLA
https://share.icloud.com/photos/082EuHr9JpeFZ8UuUFy8e5lLA
Michael Go
New Member
See the photo above. I think this may be the problem. Since there is some "play" between the bolts that hold the bridge to the body, and the bridge itself, it could be that the heavier gauge strings (and additional tension) could be pulling the front of the bridge downward enough to cause this issue.
d^rren
Purveyor of unpopular opinions.
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2019
- Messages
- 481
That kind of play is normal on this kind of bridge, and it likely tilted or leaned the exact same amount with slightly lighter strings.
I think you should take the guitar to an experienced tech to get the issues sorted instead of making guesses and trying things that could be making the issue worse.
I think you should take the guitar to an experienced tech to get the issues sorted instead of making guesses and trying things that could be making the issue worse.
dogrocketp
I drank the PRS kool aid, and it was tasty!
Really, Michael, a qualified luthier is your best solution. I have the same guitar, and put locking bridge posts on in addition having my luthier fix it when I broke the piezo wire.
Michael Go
New Member
Well guys you have convinced me. As far as a "luthier" I'm limited around here (I know, crazy, as this is Macon, Georgia, so many a guitar player has walked these streets. But that was long, long ago.) I did find out that the guy who works on them at our GC used to work at the PRS factory in Maryland. So, he's my best bet. Do you recommend that I go ahead and have him put a different brand on there? Thanks for your input. It is rare these days to have people help you, who have no other incentive than common interests.
dogrocketp
I drank the PRS kool aid, and it was tasty!
A different brand of what?
Jimmy4Thumbs
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2024
- Messages
- 11
I would assume he's referring to strings. I can't imagine what else he would "put on" there.
@Michael Go, do you know what year your Hollowbody II is? Is it perhaps one of the newer ones with the color change?
Similar threads
