Possible trem damage to CE24 during string change?

[maggior]

A little over a month ago I got myself a CE24 and it is now my favorite guitar. The color is Violin Amber Burst, which I had never seen before. Years ago I had a CU24 S2 for a month that I just couldn't bond with. So I'm lovin' my new PRS .

The other night I changed the strings. I was having a hard time getting the ball end out for one of the strings. I had the strings all removed from the tuning pegs and a piece of cardboard under the bridge to keep the wood from getting dented. In desperation to figure out why the ball end wouldn't come out, I put the trem arm in and worked the trem a bit to see if that would help. It did not help and at one point it was like the trem slipped or something. I let the trem rest back the on the cardboard and eventually pushed the ball end of the string out from the top of the guitar by pushing it out with a jeweler's screwdriver.

I got everything strung up and it seems to still play great. Tuning seems to be rock solid as it was before.

I'm wondering if I did something really bad by rocking the term with no string tension on it. Did I possibly damage the knife edge?

 

[shinksma]

Should be fine! Damage to the trem knife edge comes from adjusting the screws unevenly - it is a very methodical process, and usually never needs to be done anyway.

 

[Rider1260]

You should be fine

 

[AP515]

I doubt it. I've had the trem slide out of the grooves in the screws and when I was tightening the strings the trem would "snap" into the screws pretty hard. I've taken the trem apart to inspect the knife edges and they were fine. I think it is when you operate the trem out of the grooves and it has to pivot against the screw sides that it will dull the edges.

By the way, pushing the ball end out of the trem is standard procedure it one is stuck.

 

[maggior]

Should be fine! Damage to the trem knife edge comes from adjusting the screws unevenly - it is a very methodical process, and usually never needs to be done anyway.

Thanks for the confirmation. I read about the issues with adjusting the screws and that was what had me start wondering that maybe I screwed something up. I don't forsee having to adjust those...I'm quite happy with the setup at the moment.

 

[maggior]

I doubt it. I've had the trem slide out of the grooves in the screws and when I was tightening the strings the trem would "snap" into the screws pretty hard. I've taken the trem apart to inspect the knife edges and they were fine. I think it is when you operate the trem out of the grooves and it has to pivot against the screw sides that it will dull the edges.

By the way, pushing the ball end out of the trem is standard procedure it one is stuck.

The bass E string got stuck too, but I was able to push it out since the string is so fat. Didn't work so well with the B string. A jeweler's screwdriver is now a part of my string change kit. It threw me...never had the problem with my strat all these years. They are all a bit different.

If you had it snap back into place and had no problems, then I'm sure I'm fine.


Thanks to all of you for your quick response!!

 

[Ferrinbonn]

I have the same issue with my CE. I've had a string get stuck every time I've changed strings so far. I ended up using a toothpick to push it out after snipping it. No idea why they get stuck like that. It's annoying.

 

[maggior]

I have the same issue with my CE. I've had a string get stuck every time I've changed strings so far. I ended up using a toothpick to push it out after snipping it. No idea why they get stuck like that. It's annoying.

Didn't think of a toothpick...that's a good idea. I suspect the issue arises from the fact that the ball ends of the string seat very high up in the trem block to reduce the length of string...giving you more tuning stability. Glad to know this isn't just something I'm seeing.

 

[Fro]

I use a 5" or 6" length of the low E string to push out stuck ball ends. It's a free tool that's always available when your changing strings.

 

[PeteHill]

I use the allen/hex key (I keep it in a "Pick Pocket" on the strap) that came with the guitar to loosen the ball end.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Y'all can try burnishing those trem block holes with some sandpaper wrapped around the right sized hex wrench or screwdriver to smooth out whatever catching your balls. I had to do that on an SE trem myself.

 

[Ovibos]

...to smooth out whatever catching your balls.

That's what...nah. Too easy.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

That's what...nah. Too easy.

Low hanging fruit?

 

[Ovibos]

Low hanging fruit?

Nuts to that.