Modifying a stop tailpiece.

[Raym]

Good evening all. I have a ‘93 PRS Custom 22 with Dragon II pick ups and a stop tail piece. I bought it new at Chuck Levin’s and have cherished it ever since. But I’ve always wished it had a tremolo. I see there is a Schaller tremolo mechanism for about $200 which claims to adapt easily and fit perfectly onto any typical PRS, Gibson, etc. stop tailpiece. Has anyone had any luck or experience with these? Also, are there other options available? Or should I keep my guitar stock and look for another guitar that comes with a factory tremolo? Thanks and all the best.

 

[dbrian66]

I personally have never installed a trem unit on a hard tail guitar, so I’m no help there. If I was in your shoes, I think I would look for another guitar to add to my collection. One more is always good right? LOL

On a side note, I bought my first ever electric guitar at Chuck Levin’s back in 1984 when I was 14. I haven’t been in that store in years!

 

[Bogner]

Buy another PRS with a factory tremolo on it. Save yourself the potential of grief.

 

[Tony M.]

Buy another PRS with a factory tremolo on it. Save yourself the potential of grief.

Yep. Buy another guitar.

 

[Prs Mods too]

I see there is a Schaller tremolo mechanism for about $200 which claims to adapt easily and fit perfectly onto any typical PRS, Gibson, etc. stop tailpiece.

Pics or a link?

Also, pics of your guitar are very welcome.

 

[Rod/]

Good evening all. I have a ‘93 PRS Custom 22 with Dragon II pick ups and a stop tail piece. I bought it new at Chuck Levin’s and have cherished it ever since. But I’ve always wished it had a tremolo. I see there is a Schaller tremolo mechanism for about $200 which claims to adapt easily and fit perfectly onto any typical PRS, Gibson, etc. stop tailpiece. Has anyone had any luck or experience with these? Also, are there other options available? Or should I keep my guitar stock and look for another guitar that comes with a factory tremolo? Thanks and all the best.

Hi. That trem is for a Gibson type stop-tailpiece which is after the tunamatic bridge.. very different than the stoptail combination bridge on your Custom 22 …..
if you can afford it, it’s worth it getting a PRS with their highly modified and improved Strat type bridge. It adds an airy dimension to your sounds.. The DGT I have is amazing for that.
And your stop tailpiece CU22 (I have the same year and model) is great for rock solid tones with the Dragon 1’s….. 2 different animals

 

[theDeepender]

I personally have never installed a trem unit on a hard tail guitar, so I’m no help there. If I was in your shoes, I think I would look for another guitar to add to my collection. One more is always good right? LOL

On a side note, I bought my first ever electric guitar at Chuck Levin’s back in 1984 when I was 14. I haven’t been in that store in years!

^this^
That’s where I got my Smith bass.

 

[DISTORT6]

If your 93 Cu22 is all original, the pickups are Dragon I’s, btw.
Oh! Yeah, just get a factory built trem.

 

[Black Plaid]

Seeing as this has turned into a Chuck Levin's thread. I got my first PRS in '91 there, still have it!

 

[Jo-]

My first PRS was from Chucks. A ‘98 CE 22 in tobacco burst. I got my second there and my third…. And a few amps too. My Shiva, Zinky Blue Velvet. It’s a Good thing I don’t live in Maryland anymore.

As everyone else has said just get a trem equipped PRS.

 

[Bogner]

Heck, I will play along with the Chuck Levins thing...lol. While on the road a couple decades ago I bought a Larrivee acoustic there.

 

[Prs Mods too]

Ok, I'll play too.

I've heard of Chucks.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I bought a keyboard from them at the beginning of Covid after being jerked around for three weeks from Pro Audio Star. I paid just as much, it shipped in days, and I got real service from a real store.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Your asking a bunch of enablers if you should buy another guitar.

bwahahahahahahaha!!

 

[gush]

I haven't purchased guitars from Chuck's. I have none chucks??

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I haven't purchased guitars from Chuck's. I have none chucks??

“Numb chucks”? You can get an ointment for that.

 

[gush]

“Numb chucks”? You can get an ointment for that.

Wouldn't that make it difficult to grip your chucks?????

 

[Raym]

Thanks everyone it’s been very informative and entertaining! I guess I’m in the market for another guitar. Any suggestions? I mostly play rock, pop and some retro 60s surf. Btw. I naturally have some scuff marks and pic scratches in my beautiful old 10 top clear coat. What is the best means of delicately polishing them out? Thanks to all. I’m new here and I certainly appreciate this community.

 

[dogrocketp]

I use Meguiar’s liquid cleaner/car wax on my precious PRS. Just get a totally different animal from your current guitar. There are so many great PRSi, that we should all have 10 or so, over time.

 

[archtop]

The DGT is a pretty unique beast of a PRS with a sound that should compliment your Custom 22, and has tremolo. It would be a fine addition.

Virtuoso cleaner and polish are excellent for restoring a guitar's finish. Another option is Meguiar's Clear Plastic Cleaner #17 and Polish #10, Luthier's Mercantile sells these and claims "Our three Meguiar's polishes, used together, will yield a mirror-like gloss on any finish. They are perfect for new finishes as well as finish repair work. Odorless and safe, they are chemically inert and silicon and wax-free". I've used Virtuoso and/or Meguiars for 15 years without issue so far (the 3rd polish LMII refers to is Meguiar's medium grit but that's likely much more abrasive than you'll need unless you're blending in a drop fill or other finish repair).