New Here! HB2 (Piezo) Question

[idkirven]

Hey all!

New here, but not new to PRSi - been playing about 16yr and have learned that for off-the-shelf instruments I can't get a better fit than a PRS!
My only two guitars were a KL380 and a Modern Eagle II until I purchased a 2003 HB2 Piezo yesterday. I feel like 3 is a good number and these ought to cover more ground than I care to tread!
On to the question (sorry no pics of this yet, some when I get home):
The HB2 has action that's a bit high for my taste. The neck appears to have a little relief and no warping or anything of the sort. I took a look at the wraparound bridge and noticed it's about at the bottom of it's adjustment range (<1mm of travel). I expect to be able to put the action wherever I want it without maxing out any adjustments - is that too much to ask? I'm kinda worried that something has gone wrong if it really is at the bottom of travel; it could be as simple as a truss rod adjustment or bridge setup but my fear is that the guitar has settled with age like acoustics do. That isn't a thing for HB2s, right?
Also, does anyone have any tips for setting up the adjustable wraparound bridge that's on these guitars? It kinda looks like there's an angled, almost 'trapdoor' component on the bottom of this bridge which might be falsely indicating the bottom of travel.
Can anyone weigh in? I can get pictures when I get home.
Thanks everyone!!!

Ian

 

[Lacire]

I have a 2010 HBll SC with piezo, I have the neck dead flat with no relief, both bass and treble strings measures 1/32” from the bottom of the string to the top of the 12th fret, I have approximately 3/32” left of adjustment below the wraparound bridge, the pickup height on both pickups are 5/64” bass and 2/32” (1/16”) treble side measured over the bobbin with the pickup screws. The trapdoor component under the bottom of the bridge I believe you’re talking about is where the wiring goes through the bridge for the piezo saddles. Currently strung with a set of Ernie Ball pure nickel 9’s. Need anything else let me know.

 

[idkirven]

Lacire,

You called it on the trapdoor thingy I mentioned - I didn't realize the bridge had individual string saddles until I did some more digging.
Thanks for the measurements for reference!
Just took some measurements of mine:
I have ~1/32" action at low and high e (a hair less at high e)
Neck relief is 0.004".
Clearance under stoptail posts is max 0.003".
This is as low as it can possibly go and it plays beautifully - I guess my concern is...
Should I worry about it shifting? I know acoustics need resets after X years, etc. If this guitar shifts by even a few thousandths it would impact playability and there'd be no adjustment left whatsoever.

 

[Lacire]

My opinion is you may see a change in the neck from a change in humidity or changing the gauge of strings that are on it but you should be able to compensate for that with the truss rod. The HB isn’t completely hollow, the bridge studs are anchored into a solid wood block under the top so there isn’t any string pull to belly the top like on an acoustic instrument, so I don’t see a neck reset in your guitars future. If you look through the F holes you should be able to see the block of wood that the studs anchor into. Check this link on the HB construction.

Hollowbody construction

Hi, I'm new to the forum. Trying to get information on the prs hollowbody ii. So its a big piece of mahogany that's been carved to leave solid reams and then glue a back and top made of carved maple. All good, now, seems like there's some more mahogany holding bridge and pickups. How does that work?

forums.prsguitars.com

https://imgur.com/a/IC60dcR

 

[idkirven]

Thanks all - I got the same info back from the PTC. All is good in the world with my HB2. Thanks and (for everyone on the east coast) stay safe.

Ian

 

[Lacire]

Thanks all - I got the same info back from the PTC. All is good in the world with my HB2. Thanks and (for everyone on the east coast) stay safe.

Ian

Thanks for getting back with us Ian and I’m glad you found the information you needed. Take care.

 

[JasonE]

I see you may have it sorted but I figured I would give you a little more information that should alleviate any concerns you may have. I have an HB II and a SCHB II. I have them adjusted to the same action as my solid body PRS guitars. It is all in the setup. I use very little relief in the necks of my guitars.

Congrats on your new guitar! These things are some of the best guitars I have ever had the pleasure of playing. I used by SCHB II at every gig in the last band I was in. It was really nice to be able to add the acoustic guitar tones in the music we were playing. It gave us a sound that nobody else in this area has.