PRS CE 24 Action Can't Be Lowered From Factory Specs

[musicalfish]

Hello! I'm the proud owner of a brand new CE 24. I love the way the guitar sounds and looks, and while the feel is ok, I am trying to make it even better. Right now, I've got the action set to 4/64" on the treble side, and 5/64" on the bass side. Usually, I like to have my treble side at about 3/64" and the bass side at about 4/64". I can get the bass side a little lower, however, my saddles have bottomed out on the treble side. I verified that my relief is within spec, and the bridge is 1/16" above the body, floating parallel to the strings per the advice from PRS's support pages. I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed to get the action to my preference. If I was adjusting a Fender, I'd probably spring for a shim in the neck pocket, but I suppose I could lower the trem a bit closer to the body too. Any advice as to next steps I can try?

 

[rcsrich]

Is there space to lower the tremolo? That may be your best bet...

 

[musicalfish]

Is there space to lower the tremolo? That may be your best bet...

There is a bit, but I'd worry I'd start to bump into the guitar top if I lowered it anymore. I've attached some photos of the current bridge set up. I've also verified that the screws are sitting level via a fret rocker. And the knife edges all appear to be sitting appropriately in the bridge screw notches.

https://imgur.com/a/AryUUBk

 

[rcsrich]

Do you typically bend up or just down in pitch with the tremolo? I think you'd be okay lowering it a bit unless you're also pulling up... full disclosure, it's been many years since I fiddled with a PRS tremolo, so maybe someone else will weigh in with more current info.

 

[Black Plaid]

As it's a bolt on, what many people would do is add a shim to the neck.

Sometimes just a tiny shim just under the heel is enough to angle the neck where you can get more travel available.

 

[ViggoP]

Just lower the bridge, it will be fine. I’ve done it on several guitars. Make sure the screws are exactly the same height.

 

[musicalfish]

Going to give lowering the bridge a try. Any idea how much I should lower it by? I don't know if there's a minimum safe height or anything.

 

[Ovibos]

Just be verrrry careful with the bridge pivot screws. The knife edge on them makes them easy to snap the head off of.

 

[ViggoP]

Going to give lowering the bridge a try. Any idea how much I should lower it by? I don't know if there's a minimum safe height or anything.

Start with maybe half a turn on each screw. Tune to pitch and evaluate. You will easily see if you go too far. If/When you are getting string rattle, raise the saddles slightly.

 

[musicalfish]

Do I need to take the springs and strings off to lower the bridge? I just got the bridge balance perfect to where it stays in tune with heavy whammy use, so I'd hate to have to loosen the springs and readjust them again.

 

[ViggoP]

Do I need to take the springs and strings off to lower the bridge? I just got the bridge balance perfect to where it stays in tune with heavy whammy use, so I'd hate to have to loosen the springs and readjust them again.

You will need to remove/uncouple the springs but that will not change the settings of the springs.
1. Slack the strings.
2. Remove/uncouple the springs from the claw (not the block).
3. Make adjustments to height adjustment screws. Make sure they are 100% level by using something short and straight on three screws at a time, rocking it back and forth. No rocking = straight. Check screw 1-2-3, 2-3-4, 3-4-5 etc. Cutting an old credit card or similar to adequate length (three screws) helps a lot with this.
4. Reattach the springs. Make sure the knife edges of the bridge seats themself properly on the height adjustment screws.
5. Tune to pitch. Check bridge height so that it doesn’t touch the body when using the whammy bar. Adjust saddle height.
6. Repeat 1-5 if necessary.

 

[Mentalo87]

Don’t forget to put something soft between trem and guitar surface to prevent bridge bite

 

[musicalfish]

Got it. Is there a trick to removing and reattaching the springs to the claw? I had trouble in the past with other guitars with removing the springs without loosing the claw.

 

[ViggoP]

Got it. Is there a trick to removing and reattaching the springs to the claw? I had trouble in the past with other guitars with removing the springs without loosing the claw.

It shouldn’t be much of a problem once the strings are slack.

 

[deathworlder]

It looks like your bridge has some forward tilt to it.
I'd start by confirming this...
You can use playing cards as a feeler gauge; they can also be used for bridge bite.

 

[MaxPow]

Hello! I'm the proud owner of a brand new CE 24. I love the way the guitar sounds and looks, and while the feel is ok, I am trying to make it even better. Right now, I've got the action set to 4/64" on the treble side, and 5/64" on the bass side. Usually, I like to have my treble side at about 3/64" and the bass side at about 4/64". I can get the bass side a little lower, however, my saddles have bottomed out on the treble side. I verified that my relief is within spec, and the bridge is 1/16" above the body, floating parallel to the strings per the advice from PRS's support pages. I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed to get the action to my preference. If I was adjusting a Fender, I'd probably spring for a shim in the neck pocket, but I suppose I could lower the trem a bit closer to the body too. Any advice as to next steps I can try?

That would probably work, but you would have to set the 6 screws correctly. I’m sure that you’re aware of that? But the lowered bridge might cause more problems than it’s worth.

 

[MaxPow]

Going to give lowering the bridge a try. Any idea how much I should lower it by? I don't know if there's a minimum safe height or anything.

You could try using a 2mm or 1.5mm Allen wrench as a feeler gauge. I’d lower it all the way, use a 2mm Allen wrench to set the screws and carefully tune to pitch.