PRS DGT SE Intonation

[TheCraftsman]

Yikes, that's where I thought I might have to go. I wonder if I knew manmade bridge would help any?

Put a Mann made in my SE CU24-08 and the difference is striking, the guitar sings with a new voice

 

[beatpete]

Hammer to kill a mosquito method

Possibly, but when there's no room left to intonate, you have to do something

 

[beatpete]

Put a Mann made in my SE CU24-08 and the difference is striking, the guitar sings with a new voice

Are the saddles the same size on the same distance from the screws?

 

[TheCraftsman]

You ahould have backed out the screws fully and tried again it seem you passed the point of intonation, as for Mann made I can’t recommend it enough. I stil have the se term bridge in the box but have not checked but I had no intonation issues with either, Mann made just is a next level bridge and brought my guitar from a guitar I love to a guitar I LOVE!

 

[beatpete]

Not sure what you mean by backed out the screws fully and try it again but, it's simple mathematics. The distance from the 12th fret to the saddle is too long and can't be shortened. Yes I've heard a lot about the man-made bridges. I just like to know if it would cure my intonation issue.

 

[TheCraftsman]

Being fully pushed you’ve already passed the point of intonation, you should reset everything slack and begin again not take a dremmel to it, as said it’s often a compromise

 

[dogrocketp]

Not sure what you mean by backed out the screws fully and try it again but, it's simple mathematics. The distance from the 12th fret to the saddle is too long and can't be shortened. Yes I've heard a lot about the man-made bridges. I just like to know if it would cure my intonation issue.

It’s the same simple math they’ve used on PRS bridges for over 35 years. It hasn’t changed, and all of my PRs intonate properly. User error, not bad design. If you’re in the DMV, message me and you can come over. This should have an easy fix. It

 

[beatpete]

Thanks, but unfortunately, I believe my guitar wasn't assembled properly. So, as I'm sure 99% of PRSSE models are perfect, mine isn't. I've been doing my own intonation on guitars for 50 years and believe me, this guitar bridge is just not properly installed.

 

[d^rren]

Also consider a different string. Sometimes a tiny flaw in the wire can make a string just not intonate properly.

 

[beatpete]

Thanks, this is the third string I've had on, it's a 10 and it just doesn't intonate

 

[lyounkins]

I have this exact same problem. Brand new PRS SE DGT with stock strings (10-46). The bridge saddle for the high E string butts up against the tremolo mounting screw. The string simply can't be shortened enough to intonate properly. This appears to be an issue with the bridge placement.

 

[TheCraftsman]

I’ll say again as I’ve had the same issues when you’re butted up or fully stretched you e usually missed the point of intonation (or the best it will get) but I suppose it’s possible it’s a flaw although surely we’d have heard more about it

 

[beatpete]

I guess we're hearing more about it...

 

[lyounkins]

For those of you that are having problems intonating the high E string on the SE DGT with light gauge strings, consider reducing the amount of neck relief. I had this exact same issue with my new SE DGT and the guitar was returned to the factory for evaluation. I installed factory string gauges (10-46) and set the neck relief to 0.010". This is on the high end of the PRS factory spec value (max. of 0.011"), but still within spec. The tech who worked on it reduced the neck relief to 0.006" and was able to intonate the high E with a tiny bit of margin (around 1/32"). That margin will be further reduced with lighter gauge strings, so your mileage may vary.

A big shout out to Phil Gates and James Zimmer at PRS who helped resolve this issue!

 

[lyounkins]

For those of you who don't have access to precision tools for measuring neck relief, I got the following tip:

"I suggest checking neck relief on both Es and the G string by sight, not using a gauge. Fret at the 1st fret with your left hand and with your right thumb fret at the 15th fret. Use your right index finger to check relief at the 7th fret one string at a time. There should be just enough relief so that you hear a slight ping ……..I prefer to get the neck as straight as possible without the string touching at the 7th fret."