New (2016) CE 24 locking tuner quality & fit questions

[Knob Twister]

Hello, I'm doing some PRS pre-purchase research. I think I'd really like the satin maple necks on the new CE 24 Bolt-on guitars. The local stores in my area don't have any (CE 24) in stock currently to play and exam so I'm looking to purchase one online and have it shipped in. But while browsing online dealer's pictures, I noticed quite a few headstock pictures (rear view) where the tuners are mounted slightly crooked on the wood, some even, some slightly tilted down, etc. Not all, however, but some.

These tuners don't have an "anti-rotation/pilot" mounting screw hole like the Custom 24 guitar tuners. Just browsing the internet, it looks like previous PRS Phase I, II & III tuners have all had this anti-rotation/pilot screws in the past. So my question to anyone familiar with these new tuners and how they mount is, can the tuners be unloosened and aligned correctly on the headstock? Are they constructed stable enough to not lose string tune by rotational pressure without the "pilot" anchor screw?
Does this make sense? I can probably post a couple pictures off some dealers websites if needed.

Thanks!
Art

 

[shinksma]

Hello, I'm doing some PRS pre-purchase research. I think I'd really like the satin maple necks on the new CE 24 Bolt-on guitars. The local stores in my area don't have any (CE 24) in stock currently to play and exam so I'm looking to purchase one online and have it shipped in. But while browsing online dealer's pictures, I noticed quite a few headstock pictures (rear view) where the tuners are mounted slightly crooked on the wood, some even, some slightly tilted down, etc. Not all, however, but some.

These tuners don't have an "anti-rotation/pilot" mounting screw hole like the Custom 24 guitar tuners. Just browsing the internet, it looks like previous PRS Phase I, II & III tuners have all had this anti-rotation/pilot screws in the past. So my question to anyone familiar with these new tuners and how they mount is, can the tuners be unloosened and aligned correctly on the headstock? Are they constructed stable enough to not lose string tune by rotational pressure without the "pilot" anchor screw?
Does this make sense? I can probably post a couple pictures off some dealers websites if needed.

Thanks!
Art

Pics or links to the dealer websites would help - I honestly don't remember seeing what you describe, but I might not be looking for it either!

 

[gush]

If I remember correctly, those new ce tuners have a small pin thst fits into a drilled in the wood hole. That keeps them from rotating.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

PRS did a similar thing with tuners for one of the Artist model guitars in the 90's. I own a set of wings that have little "teeth" that bite into the wood without the use of screws, they work pretty well.

 

[dogrocketp]

I have the same tuners on an S2. They hold tune perfectly well,although I did have to tighten the button screw so that the button didn`t move so freely. Straight or crooked will depend on the guitar. if it`s an issue for you, have the seller inspect the guitar before shipping. One of my tuners is ever so slightly crooked, but I really don`t care. the guitar screams.

 

[Knob Twister]

If I remember correctly, those new ce tuners have a small pin thst fits into a drilled in the wood hole. That keeps them from rotating.

 

[Knob Twister]

Pictures I saw were too big to post directly, but you are probably correct... they must have small metal post that protrude into the headstock from the rear that act as an anchor against rotational movement. Guess I'll just select a well aligned version and go for it. Thanks for the replies.
Just curious, does PRS have a special process or tool to even out the fret height during manufacture (like a PLEK)? I like low action.

 

[juka]

...Just curious, does PRS have a special process or tool to even out the fret height during manufacture (like a PLEK)? I like low action.

No, the guys at PRS just know exactly what they are doing and they are doing it with the utmost dedication.

Talked to one of the PLEK inventors about this topic some time ago and he told me that although they had numerous PRSs to check almost all were within their extremely tight tolerances and couldn't be improved by PLEKing.

P.S.: You should also be aware of the fact that guitar manufacturers that use the PLEK system for their fret jobs are not obliged to follow the ultra tight tolerances that PLEK recommends.

 

[dogrocketp]

My luthier owns and uses his plek all the time. One of the biggest American manufacturers advertises that they plek their guitar necks. My luthier still has to do fretwork on them, so clearly they are not using the tolerances. It takes time to do things right, which drives the cost up.

 

[shinksma]

My luthier owns and uses his plek all the time. One of the biggest American manufacturers advertises that they plek their guitar necks. My luthier still has to do fretwork on them, so clearly they are not using the tolerances. It takes time to do things right, which drives the cost up.

What? You want it done right? With the equipment that makes it easier to do it right? Ridiculous! Next, you're going to want headstocks that don't snap off with the slightest bump!

 

[Knob Twister]

Glad to hear PRS invest close attention into fret-board setup during manufacturing. Thanks for your replies.
I pulled the trigger on a new CE 24 in Trampas Green via online dealer. Looking forward to it; I got a Dr.Z Maz 18 waiting to mate with it...

 

[Fro]

Let us know how the tuning stability is.

 

[dogrocketp]

Also let us know how it sounds with the Dr Z. Sounds like a real love match that eharmony would be proud of.