Pickup Rings Cracked Around Mounting Screw Hole and Corner

[Bogner]

Anybody else have this problem?

I have a few guitars (mainly ME II's) purchased new and all stock that have cracked pickup rings in the top back corner (Low E side by bridge) around the mounting screw. Is this an issue of them being overtightened on installation and time just got the best of them with the tension or something else? I have never had this problem before on any of my guitars and I have several PRS but only a few with this issue.

 

[show_a_little_faith]

Weird that you have it on multiple guitars, but I'd say almost definitely a case of over-tightened screws causing them to crack. I suppose it's possible the factory had a run of flawed/weakened rings, but I think more people would've complained and it'd be a known issue if it was widespread

 

[Going Modal]

I'm going to venture a guess that it's from play-wear or something due to where your hand hits or rests on the guitars while playing them. If it's only noticeably happening on your guitars--and on the same place on all of them, especially on the low-E/bridge area--then this would make sense.

The explanation as to why this isn't happening on other-branded guitars of yours could be due to body shape, bridge & pickup position, and where your hand would naturally fall (or hit) when playing those styles/shapes of guitars. (And also the design/strength of the pickup rings that they use.)

 

[Tone-y]

I have them on both pickup rings on my guitar. Never adjusted the screws and as far as I know they're the same as when they left the factory. Guitar is now 12 years old but they've been cracked for probably 7 of those.
I have some other guitars made in the 80s all with cracked pickup rings too

 

[Bogner]

Weird that you have it on multiple guitars, but I'd say almost definitely a case of over-tightened screws causing them to crack. I suppose it's possible the factory had a run of flawed/weakened rings, but I think more people would've complained and it'd be a known issue if it was widespread

I am thinking a material flaw and or overtightened screws. The new pickup rings are a different make and appear to my eye to be a different material as well.

 

[Bogner]

I'm going to venture a guess that it's from play-wear or something due to where your hand hits or rests on the guitars while playing them. If it's only noticeably happening on your guitars--and on the same place on all of them, especially on the low-E/bridge area--then this would make sense.

The explanation as to why this isn't happening on other-branded guitars of yours could be due to body shape, bridge & pickup position, and where your hand would naturally fall (or hit) when playing those styles/shapes of guitars. (And also the design/strength of the pickup rings that they use.)

The guitars in question are not played a lot and are basically case queens. I have over 100 guitars so very few are played a lot. As far as it being from play wear, that isn't remotely feasible based on location of the crack and hand position as well as strings being a buffer between hand and pickups/rings. I have many other PRS I play more in the double cut style and have had no issues. Same with Singlecut PRS and many other guitars (shapes and brands)...no problems. I really feel it is an over tightening issue from the factory and over time the material just simply failed and cracked. No other explanation makes sense.

 

[Bogner]

I have them on both pickup rings on my guitar. Never adjusted the screws and as far as I know they're the same as when they left the factory. Guitar is now 12 years old but they've been cracked for probably 7 of those.
I have some other guitars made in the 80s all with cracked pickup rings too

Same here...bone stock never touched. Heck, I have my guitars from the 80's still and none of them have cracked rings.