New 2018 PRS SE Custom 22 - Odd behavior of B string

[Bill_]

Hi guys. A few weeks back I purchased a new 2018 SE Custom 22. I'm a bit new to electric guitars so not 100% sure what this is but it definitely seems odd. When tuning my B string, I get some weird oscillations between staying in pitch and going out.

Here's an animated gif from Amplitube's UltraTuner showing the oscillations when I do a 12th fret harmonic on the B string.You can also see me plucking other strings that show up stable, while B keeps going back and forth

Intonation is nearly perfect, neck relief is to spec.. Any ideas what to check or adjust to fix?

 

[shimmilou]

Hey Bill,

...Intonation is nearly perfect...

Possibly the intonation is off a little bit for that string.

 

[Bill_]

Hey Bill,



Possibly the intonation is off a little bit for that string.

I've double checked and no intonation problems. I've also tried raising the saddle for that string in case it might have been some tiny fret buzz, but that doesn't seem to influence the oscillations either. Could it just be a faulty string on the new guitar?

 

[GuitarJammin]

Maybe you just need to be a little more rock star and hit it a little harder....OR......The intonation is off because it goes flat at the 12th. You can do one of these. Move the B saddle towards the head stock a hair (Flat at 12th decrease string length). OR .....Leave it alone, i think its close enough that you can leave it alone.

 

[DickBanks]

Every line is one cent, yes?

You'll never hear it.

It's a transient WF, likely caused by a not-so-perfect nut cut. Two contact points.

When your grandad said to "not sweat the small stuff," this is what he was talking about.

 

[dogrocketp]

Change the nut.

 

[Boogie]

Just play it! If the amp is adequately loud, what will it matter?

 

[Black Plaid]

Does it do that when you hold a note at a fret? If not, then it's likely the nut as others have suggested.

There's also a possibility you have a bad string.

 

[Bill_]

Does it do that when you hold a note at a fret? If not, then it's likely the nut as others have suggested.

There's also a possibility you have a bad string.

It's butter smooth when I fret the B string anywhere. It sounds like it could be the nut then. I'll have a luthier take a look if I ever bring it to a guitar shop, but it's perfect otherwise so I guess it'll be a while...

I appreciate all your input!

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Hi Bill. Welcome to the forum, we'd all love to seem some photos. Maybe start a new guitar day.

A core PRS nut is a common upgrade for SE owners. It helps with tuning stability and tone.

The Paul Reed Smith Ted talk is an interesting example of this, if you haven't already seen it.