NGD - Tremonti SE - Full Rebuild!

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:
mQIACGa.jpg


Here's the pile of parts I have for her (basically gutting everything):
EtUAIrV.jpg

  • 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.
UF7PJ14.jpg

zD4DkrT.jpg


Fitting the new Mann-Made Locking Tuners:
0XVGQlJ.jpg


Tremonti Bass Pickup:
EzEmiW6.jpg

IKCbId1.jpg


Tremonti Treble Pickup:
eip2jSb.jpg

asEjBfg.jpg


The holes had to be reamed-out, to accomodate the CTS pots and Switchcraft 3-way Switch:
rb1vmT9.jpg

Z3SA2LN.jpg


Even the jack was replaced, with a Switchcraft:
OBB4zJl.jpg


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.
IVVlp2L.jpg


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:
Woah! Thats killer! Congrats and kudos to you on the build!
 
Absolutely beautiful job. I’m planning on fitting some 59/09s in my se cu22 do You know if the core pickups will fit in the se mounting rings?
 
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