PRS S2 Custom 24-08 Not Staying in Tune

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Pampua84

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Oct 24, 2024
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Hello everyone,
I recently acquired a new PRS S2 Custom guitar, and I'm experiencing some tuning problems. Specifically, when doing bends on the D string, the guitar easily goes out of tune. Additionally, when playing notes on the middle frets, they are not perfectly in tune. What could be causing this? What can I do?
Thanks for the answer
 
Quick answer is the strings are new (or old sitting on a hanger) so first up stretch them out or replace with your fav brand. Again stretching/playing is important. If there still is an issues could just need a good setup. Intonation will help with the strings being in tune up and down the neck.
 
Next answer……after changing the strings (and putting Vaseline in the nut slots with a toothpick), work the trem up and down several times before each playing session. Then tune. About a week of this, and the guitar should stay in tune magnificently.
 
The strings are not brand new but not old either. I will try to follow your suggestions, even though I have never had this problem with my Strat. Is there anything else I can check? Thanks.

PS: I had the setup done in July, and I would prefer not to take it back to the luthier without first doing all the checks I can myself with your help.
 
The D string is most likely getting hung up in the nut. If lube doesn’t work your luthier can file it.
As far as going out of tune playing up the neck, you need to set your intonation.
 
dogrocketp said:
Next answer……after changing the strings (and putting Vaseline in the nut slots with a toothpick), work the trem up and down several times before each playing session. Then tune. About a week of this, and the guitar should stay in tune magnificently.
Click to expand...
This! You really gotta work the trem. Sometimes they need to be “broken in”
 
I play an SE custom 24 and changed the standard nut for a graphtec one quite quickly after purchase. From then on no more tuning instability.
 
I only own SEs; 3 with trem...
I've never even installed the bars...
They stay in tune...

Sorry; 'breaking in' sounds like a bunch of b*lls*it, to me
 
Is it only the D string you're having issues with, regarding the middle frets not being in tune? Or does it happen with other strings as well?

If it's only the D string, my first thought would be a bad string considering the tuning issues. I've had this happen, even with new sets where one string is just bad for whatever reason....wouldn't stay in tune or intonate properly. Changed the string and fixed the issue right away.

If it's more than one string, the truss rod may need adjusting...especially if it's only the middle frets that are out of tune (but your lower and upper frets are good). As others have said, the tuning instability could also be attributed to the nut.

If it was me, I'd start with a fresh new set of strings and run through an entire setup checking the neck relief and intonation. If the problem persists, then I'd reach out to the dealer I bought it from and ask for them to check the nut and everything else. If you bought it new, you deserve to have a guitar that plays and feels as it should.
 
Last edited:
deathworlder said:
Can you explain the mechanics/physics of what is happening during break in? I'm having a hard time understanding how something that requires precise set up to operate properly also needs to be worn-in to operate properly.
Click to expand...
Not with any definite detail. I can speak from experience though. I had a 2014 WL Cu24 that was having tuning issues. Someone suggested a little whammy abuse, so I tried it. After a week of abuse (15 to 20 minutes a day) it was holding tuning without issue. I don't know if it was knife edge related, spring tension related, or string moving through the nut related. Perhaps the nut since they're self lubricating with the infused brass. And, I will also mention that is the only PRS I ever had an issue with.
 
Prs Mods too said:
Fact. I've changed a few of these for various reasons. The knife edge and the grooves in the screws need to wear a little to mate to each other properly. After that, good as gold.
Click to expand...
That's exactly the thing I didn't want to hear.
Oh well...is what it is, I guess.
 
deathworlder said:
That's exactly the thing I didn't want to hear.
Oh well...is what it is, I guess.
Click to expand...
If they're still brass like the early 2000s models don't worry.

It's nearly impossible to set the screw heights 100 percent dead on perfect. Being off by just a couple thousandths of an inch could potentially cause tuning instability. Being off by just that little can cause wear.

Once they wear that tiny bit until everything is fully seated, there's more surface contact, thus, there will be less wear in the long run. Also, if there was never a problem and you develop one, the tinniest bit of light oil on the contact points of the screws and knife edge should cure it. IIRC, that was a recommendation in the paperwork when I got my first PRS in 02.

Don't go overboard and don't do it often. I've only had to do once throughout 22 years and that was more of a preventative maintenance thing.

Besides all of that, what bodia said could be the reason(s) for tuning instability. I just know for a fact that I never had a problem until I changed one so I assumed it was the screw height/knife edge not being 100 percent perfect. After about a week of crazy whammy abuse the problem was gone and I haven't had any problems since.
 
Hi everyone,
I finally changed the strings, I put Vaseline on the nut and the problem seems to have been solved, I also tightened the tuning machines a bit because they seemed a bit too loose. So do I have to use Vaseline every time I change the string? Or is it better to use some other product?
Thank you very much
 
Pampua84 said:
Hi everyone,
I finally changed the strings, I put Vaseline on the nut and the problem seems to have been solved, I also tightened the tuning machines a bit because they seemed a bit too loose. So do I have to use Vaseline every time I change the string? Or is it better to use some other product?
Thank you very much
Click to expand...
I've never used Vaseline, but I have used various lubricants on my (giggle) nuts (giggle). I don't see any reason why Vaseline wouldn't be fine. Probably cheaper than a dedicated guitar nut lubricant. A graphite based lube would likely be a little "slicker." I would recommend cleaning out the string slots each string change and then re-apply whatever lube you use. I normally use an old toothbrush.
 
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