Is a tuner change absolutely necessary on SE models
- Thread starter tomsy49
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Danerada
Goatee Practitioner
No you don't have to. The tuning instability (if any) can usually be remedied by swapping the nut, or filing the nut slots.
If there is no issue, then no - you don't need to change anything.
If there is no issue, then no - you don't need to change anything.
drdoom8793
THAT guy at Chick-fil-A
I could see doing it if you use the trem heavily but like Danerada, I would definitely swap the nut first. They're sometimes cut badly, which can cause string binding. This is especially true if you've gone up in string gauge from the stock 9s. I'd replace the nut first and have it setup first, and then try new tuners if you're still having troubles.
No. The tuners are high quality and stable. If you aren't experiencing tuning stability issues, leave it be. And the stock nut isn't bad, but if you have a little sticking, dress the nut well and it should be good. If you gig it and want dead-nuts stability and intonation, replace it with a USA nut. Locking tuners are a must for quick stage string changes, otherwise...
Alan Manning
Well Love a Duck Mary Poppins.!!!
As the saying go's Don't fix it if it ain't broken!!!.
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]-[@n$0Ma☩!©
Zombie Zero, DFZ
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No. While I have changed-out almost all tuners on my SE's, I did so for fun. I have never had one fail or perform poorly.
dkilpatrick
Makes guitar faces
I have the same model and had no tuning stability issues with the stock tuners. I switched to locking tuners simply because I prefer them and makes changing the string easier/quicker.
]-[@n$0Ma☩!©
Zombie Zero, DFZ
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I'm not qualified to tell you the "best" nut lube. I use Nut Sauce. Seems to work just fine.
File your nut? Why? You don't need to file the nut slots to drop from 10's to 9's.
garrett
...
Definitely not necessary. They don't have the best ratio or feel in my opinion, but they're solid. I generally swapped them just because I prefer locking and a higher gear ratio.
The nuts are hit and miss in my experience.
The nuts are hit and miss in my experience.
dkilpatrick
Makes guitar faces
^^ big bends nut sauce
drdoom8793
THAT guy at Chick-fil-A
SEs are stock with 9s. He's saying going from the stock 9s to 10s
Kazz
Kaptain Kazz of the Triple Sickle Alliance
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I had someone file my nut (SE Custom 24) for 10s, but I think I would have been better off just buying a new US PRS (or another brand). It binds a bit after he worked on it, and I think it cost as much as a new nut anyway.
I still have the stock tuners on it by the way. Any tuning issues I think are coming from the nut.
I still have the stock tuners on it by the way. Any tuning issues I think are coming from the nut.
HarrySound
New Member
When I got my SE it was almost unplayable without putting Grover locking tuners on it.
It's absolutely essential and something they should fit as standard.
It's absolutely essential and something they should fit as standard.
Interesting. I haven't replaced any of the tuners on any of my SEs and they are quite playable.
I've never once replaced tuning machines on a guitar. If tuning stability issues are occurring, they are almost always found elsewhere. On my old Ibanez SIlver Series (lawsuit) Stratocaster, the issue was the bridge saddles. I replaced them with roller saddles, rebalanced the tremolo arm, and never had a tuning issue again. Oh, I also put a graphite nut on that guitar.
CoreyT
PRS Addiction
I have only had all of my tuners on the SEs replaced due to the convenience of the Planet Waves AutoTrim feature and easy string changes.
Rockula
New Member
I changed the ones on my Santana SE for Grovers. I also put a TUSQ nut on it, and that did a lot more for tuning stability. The Grovers have a better tuning feel, but also a allow for much easier string changes. And they added a little stability as well.
But, as others have said, the nut is really where must stability problems live. I tried opening up the slots in the stock one when I switched to 10s, and it still never worked quite right. The TUSQ one was an easy fix.
But, as others have said, the nut is really where must stability problems live. I tried opening up the slots in the stock one when I switched to 10s, and it still never worked quite right. The TUSQ one was an easy fix.
markintime
Wood Grain Devotee
Same here, although when I ordered my SE's from Sweetwater I specified 10's and asked them to "massage" the nuts to make sure there were no tuning issues. So far, so good. If I ever do put locking tuners on them, it will be purely for convenience of string changing. But the stock tuners are just fine, IMO.
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