So which upgrade caused my tuning problem?

[Jonathan Perry]

Hi all!

I just finished some upgrades on my SE Custom 22 semi-hollow. I put in the PRS SE locking tuners, and changed the bridge to the adjustable PRS stop tail (the one with the brass saddles).

I’m now finding that the tuning stability is substantially worse, and the B and G strings are going flat pretty much immediately after doing any kind of bending.

So what might be the culprit? I’d think the nut maybe (which I haven’t done anything to), but I don’t recall this level of tuning issues prior to changing the tuners and the bridge.

Thanks!

 

[DISTORT6]

Sounds like you exposed the nut as the weakest link.

 

[SinSir]

Assuming the other parts ate installed correctly, tuning issues are usually at the nut. I'd check for binding. A quick easy aid would be to put some graphite in the slots. You can use a pencil.

After installing the upgrades did you stretch the new strings?

 

[Jonathan Perry]

Assuming the other parts ate installed correctly, tuning issues are usually at the nut. I'd check for binding. A quick easy aid would be to put some graphite in the slots. You can use a pencil.

After installing the upgrades did you stretch the new strings?

I did - I assumed for a week or so that it was just them settling in, but the strings have been on for a month (and the guitar played a decent amount during that time) and it’s just not getting any better.

 

[alantig]

So what might be the culprit? I’d think the nut maybe (which I haven’t done anything to), but I don’t recall this level of tuning issues prior to changing the tuners and the bridge.

You mentioned in the last post that the strings have been on for a month - that pretty much eliminates my thought that maybe the strings weren't locked down tightly enough. Pretty much - it's still worth checking. But I'm with the other guys - I'd bet on the nut. I know you said you don't recall having the issue before, but if you've changed the tuners and bridge, you may have changed how the strings go through the nut just enough to hit something that you didn't hit before.

 

[Ovibos]

Sam string gauges as before? If you went thicker, the nut slots might be binding.

 

[Jonathan Perry]

Sam string gauges as before? If you went thicker, the nut slots might be binding.

Same strings as always. Factory gauge 9’s.

 

[bodia]

You didn't wrap the strings around the post before locking, did you? With the lockers you should pull string through, tightly, then lock them down. No wraps. Just trying to eliminate things.

 

[Jonathan Perry]

You didn't wrap the strings around the post before locking, did you? With the lockers you should pull string through, tightly, then lock them down. No wraps. Just trying to eliminate things.

Yeah just straight through and locked. They appear to work just like the ones on my S2.

 

[bodia]

Yeah just straight through and locked. They appear to work just like the ones on my S2.

Hmmm....then I would lead with a new nut. The Core version is a direct drop in. It's just weird that the tuning is worse after the upgrades.

 

[Jonathan Perry]

Hmmm....then I would lead with a new nut. The Core version is a direct drop in. It's just weird that the tuning is worse after the upgrades.

Yeah I’m hoping to avoid a new nut if possible (I don’t have the files and the nearest luthier that I trust is not close), but I’ll do it if I have to. I’ll try some nut sauce and see if that helps. If so, I’ll get the nut replaced the next time I’m over in that part of town.

 

[jak3af3r]

It's the nut like others have said or it could be the locking screws aren't tight enough. I had a similar situation with my core custom 24 on a gig and found the g string screw loose.

My best guess is something hit it in the gig bag just enough to let the string barely start slipping out.

 

[Fireroadeddy]

I was told a long time ago to do one change at a time. It makes it much easier to pin point your problem.. was the nut giving you problems before?
Or is it just jealous because you gave other parts attention and not it. Anyways I am sure you were figure it out

 

[AaeCee]

So which strings are going out of tune -- the dreaded D, G and B? I ask because really the only thing that could logically cause this issue are strings binding somewhere, which would point to the nut or saddles. Like everyone here, I know the nut is the most likely culprit, and it's possible that the new tuners caused a slight change in the break angle over the nut which may have been just enough to present your gremlin.

I would do three things: First, lightly file/smooth the rear (top) edge in each nut slot, and next, leave a slight extra bit of slack on your D and G (and maybe B) strings which are the typical culprits so you can employ the old trick of winding them UP the post to reduce their break angle ever so slightly. Finally, I'd check the new bridge saddles for burrs, and very lightly smooth them anyway with a super fine file or sandpaper just to be sure there wasn't an imperceptible rough spot causing some hang-up.

Pure logic would point to those areas as the source of your issue, and these steps would go a long way in eliminating the most likely culprits.

Good luck!

 

[SinSir]

Yeah I’m hoping to avoid a new nut if possible (I don’t have the files and the nearest luthier that I trust is not close), but I’ll do it if I have to. I’ll try some nut sauce and see if that helps. If so, I’ll get the nut replaced the next time I’m over in that part of town.

The PRS nut is pre slotted. I too was once nervous about a nut install. Then I did my first one, and I was thats all? Its a really easy job.

 

[bodia]

The PRS nut is pre slotted. I too was once nervous about a nut install. Then I did my first one, and I was thats all? Its a really easy job.

This

 

[Geo408]

This might sound a bit dumb, but did you re-intonate your guitar with the new bridge? I’m only suggesting this because if you just put the bridge on expecting it to be “set from the factory”...it’s not. Disregard this if you already did it. No disrespect or insult intended.

 

[Jonathan Perry]

It's the nut like others have said or it could be the locking screws aren't tight enough. I had a similar situation with my core custom 24 on a gig and found the g string screw loose.

My best guess is something hit it in the gig bag just enough to let the string barely start slipping out.

After a re-string and some nut sauce, this seems like it was the culprit. I noticed that the g-string screw was barely tightened at all (hand tight at best). With the new strings the stability seems vastly improved.

It has been intonated with the new bridge - I gave it to a luthier to do a pickup swap (Fishman Fluence Classics sound outstanding in that guitar) and to intonate it with the new bridge (because I hate intonating guitars). Seems like he just didn't screw down the g string screw all the way.

 

[Jonathan Perry]

The PRS nut is pre slotted. I too was once nervous about a nut install. Then I did my first one, and I was thats all? Its a really easy job.

I was looking at a Graphtech Tusq nut, which is pre-slotted, but the concern I had was making sure the groove below the nut was clear of glue. I know Stewmac sells a file for that, but with the cost of that (and their shipping) I might as well take it to someone to have them do it.

 

[jak3af3r]

After a re-string and some nut sauce, this seems like it was the culprit. I noticed that the g-string screw was barely tightened at all (hand tight at best). With the new strings the stability seems vastly improved.

It has been intonated with the new bridge - I gave it to a luthier to do a pickup swap (Fishman Fluence Classics sound outstanding in that guitar) and to intonate it with the new bridge (because I hate intonating guitars). Seems like he just didn't screw down the g string screw all the way.

Fantastic! Just had to make sure we looked at everything before you start tearing into the rest of the guitar. I remember feeling incompetent after finding that on mine particularly because I was the one who put the strings on and it definitely wasn't the first time for that guitar.