Locking tuners for SE

[ddc18]

Got my new SE Custom 24 recently. I really like it but expected it to stay in tune better based on reviews. I’ve got maybe 20 hours on it. So I guess I’ll get the the locking tuners when I have it set up. Also thinking about 9.5 strings to replace the 9s. Recommend the PRS tuners vs other brand? What is others’ experience with the stock tuner/string setup?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

You really need to address the nut.

 

[Dirty_Boogie]

Got my new SE Custom 24 recently. I really like it but expected it to stay in tune better based on reviews. I’ve got maybe 20 hours on it. So I guess I’ll get the the locking tuners when I have it set up. Also thinking about 9.5 strings to replace the 9s. Recommend the PRS tuners vs other brand? What is others’ experience with the stock tuner/string setup?

Replace the nut with a Core nut. Core nuts are cut for 10 strings, so no slot filing should be necessary if you go up to 9.5's. But, as annoying as it might be with your current tuning issues, stick with it for a few more weeks of heavy bending and whammy abuse. SE's really do have a break-in period. You're not the first to experience this.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

PRS locking tuners are a worthy mod/upgrade. I put them on my SE 245 and I was very pleased.

 

[Glide-bpm]

Nut, locking SE tuners, Floyd Rose TremEndus stabilizer on the bridge!

 

[Nice F Holes]

Locking tuners most likely won't make it stay in tune better, they just make string changes easier. Locking tuners just grip the string so less winds are needed to lock the string in place. If string is slipping through standard tuners it's a stringing issue. I have both SE standard tuners and SE locking tuners, they're both nice and my SE standard tuners stay in tune literally for weeks.

Something else to try is a little graphite (from a pencil) in the slots on the nut. Also make sure you're setting up and tuning the guitar in playing position.

 

[ddc18]

Locking tuners most likely won't make it stay in tune better, they just make string changes easier. Locking tuners just grip the string so less winds are needed to lock the string in place. If string is slipping through standard tuners it's a stringing issue. I have both SE standard tuners and SE locking tuners, they're both nice and my SE standard tuners stay in tune literally for weeks.

Something else to try is a little graphite (from a pencil) in the slots on the nut. Also make sure you're setting up and tuning the guitar in playing position.

Thx. Will try the nut and new strings first. Right now, doesn’t hold tune for three songs.

 

[Nice F Holes]

Do you stretch the strings when you first install them? I never knew how much this mattered until recently. String the guitar, then stretch the strings and tune, and repeat those two steps until you can stretch the string and not need to tune it again.

 

[aamefford]

SE Custom 22. Same issue, and pinged at the nut. Stretched and tuned, used D’Adario’s $15 Vaseline on the nut and bridge. I don’t think putting it on the bridge made a difference, just made a mess. Anyway, tuning is very stable now, unless I do slack string dives or something. Mostly I don’t use the trem though.

Next string set I’ll try either graphite or nut sauce. Pencils are pretty cheap…

 

[AZGiant]

Locking tuner upgrades are more than worth it. Excellent value and helped my SE a lot

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Locking tuner upgrades are more than worth it. Excellent value and helped my SE a lot

^this^ the unplated brass posts made a tonal difference in my very uneducated opinion.

Plus how easy are lazy string changes?

 

[FrodoFender]

Got my new SE Custom 24 recently. I really like it but expected it to stay in tune better based on reviews. I’ve got maybe 20 hours on it. So I guess I’ll get the the locking tuners when I have it set up. Also thinking about 9.5 strings to replace the 9s. Recommend the PRS tuners vs other brand? What is others’ experience with the stock tuner/string setup?

Hello, I just bought a PRS SE CE24 70th from Thomann. I have played it for about a week now. After a couple of days with a bit more tuning than I liked, I performed following actions: 1) I put Ernie Ball 9.5-44 on it. Perfect gauge, after my opinion. 2) I avoided to many rounds of string end by the tuners. 3) And, elementary, but most important, I stretched/pulled all strings. 4) Then took a 9B pencil and put some graphite where the strings pass through the nut. Now, without having bought a set of locking tuners (yet), my PRS has obtained a good tuning stability. So much "bang for the bucks" with this guitar!

 

[tdroid]

Have you adequately stretched the strings? Also use a lubricant on every surface the strings make contact with (nut, bridge, saddles, string trees). I use Big Bend's Nut Sauce on all my guitars and it works well.

But first, you need to adequately stretch all your strings.

 

[mixmkr]

I put graphtech tusq xl nut and saddles and locking tuners. Even with whammy use, my SE standard stays in tune for hours.
I credit the nut the most.

 

[NazJazz]

I put PRS-brand locking tuners on my son’s SE Custom 24 just to make string changes easier (he plays a ton). I don’t know if they really make a difference in tuning stability, but it’s always been good anyway. I put graphite in the nut slots at every string change and I think that helps.