JimmyDee
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2017
- Messages
- 129
So, you may remember back in December of last year, I bought a whole load of guitar parts, with the intent of taking a Tremonti SE, and converting it to a US Tremonti.
I am fully aware that the actual US built version is still superior... but for less than half the price, I've taken a brand new 2018 Tremonti SE, and completely gutted it, and rebuilt it with US parts.
Here's a shot of the new Tremonti SE:
Here's the pile of parts I have for her (basically gutting everything):
Within 10 minutes, I had her on the operating table... completely gutted.
Every single part, less the wood body is being replaced with US parts, including the nut.
Fitting the new Mann-Made Locking Tuners:
Tremonti Bass Pickup:
Tremonti Treble Pickup:
The holes had to be reamed-out, to accomodate the CTS pots and Switchcraft 3-way Switch:
Even the jack was replaced, with a Switchcraft:
I got carried away, and forgot to take pictures of the 2000-NOS Bridge installation.
But if you want to see the process, here's one I did on my CE24:
https://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/2000nos-upgrade-and-a-few-other-mods.28321/
Well, here's the finished product:
The SE comes with 9-42 strings, but I re-strung it with 10-46 D'Addario strings (per the US spec)
They sound a lot better with the Tremonti pickups, and the Black Tusq nut was setup for these strings.
Spent about an hour setting up the bridge and doing intonation...
Let me say; "it sounds friggen wicked!"
The Tremonti pickups are snarly as heck. Especially the neck pickup.
I really love the sound of it. Very different than my CE24.
About 5 hours of total labor... totally worth it.
Total cost was less than half the price of a proper US Tremonti.
I've asked the local guitar store to call me when they get a US Tremonti in, because I want to compare how this one sounds vs. a true Tremonti.
I am fully aware that the actual US built version is still superior... but for less than half the price, I've taken a brand new 2018 Tremonti SE, and completely gutted it, and rebuilt it with US parts.
Here's a shot of the new Tremonti SE:
Here's the pile of parts I have for her (basically gutting everything):
- MannMade / PRS Stage II Locking Tuners (designed to fit SE model)
- MannMade 2000NOS Tremolo Bridge
- PRS Tremonti Chrome Bass Pickup
- PRS Tremonti Treble Pickup
- PRS Black Pickup Rings
- PRS Strap Buttons
- PRS Lampshade Knobs
- CTS Potentiometers (PRS spec)
- Orange Drop Capacitors
- Switchcraft 3-way Switch
- Switchcraft Output Jack
- Wiring Harness
- Black TUSQ Nut
Within 10 minutes, I had her on the operating table... completely gutted.
Every single part, less the wood body is being replaced with US parts, including the nut.
Fitting the new Mann-Made Locking Tuners:
Tremonti Bass Pickup:
Tremonti Treble Pickup:
The holes had to be reamed-out, to accomodate the CTS pots and Switchcraft 3-way Switch:
Even the jack was replaced, with a Switchcraft:
I got carried away, and forgot to take pictures of the 2000-NOS Bridge installation.
But if you want to see the process, here's one I did on my CE24:
https://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/2000nos-upgrade-and-a-few-other-mods.28321/
Well, here's the finished product:
The SE comes with 9-42 strings, but I re-strung it with 10-46 D'Addario strings (per the US spec)
They sound a lot better with the Tremonti pickups, and the Black Tusq nut was setup for these strings.
Spent about an hour setting up the bridge and doing intonation...
Let me say; "it sounds friggen wicked!"
The Tremonti pickups are snarly as heck. Especially the neck pickup.
I really love the sound of it. Very different than my CE24.
About 5 hours of total labor... totally worth it.
Total cost was less than half the price of a proper US Tremonti.
I've asked the local guitar store to call me when they get a US Tremonti in, because I want to compare how this one sounds vs. a true Tremonti.
Last edited:
