Tips to Avoid Fret Issues When Buying a PRS SE

Chipuk700

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Nov 9, 2024
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I recently bought a PRS SE Standard 24-08, which had fret buzz that couldn’t be fixed with standard adjustments.

When I checked it with a fret rocker, I discovered it had a high fret.

I returned it to the store, where they showed me six other guitars of the same model. I checked each one with the fret rocker, and all of them had slightly uneven frets.

I have tendinitis, so I can’t use thick strings or high action. I usually set my action to 1.5 mm on the bass strings and 1.25 mm on the treble strings.

I know that a professional fret leveling job could solve the issue, but unfortunately, I haven’t found a luthier in my city capable of doing meticulous work. I’ve gone to the “best” ones in the area, but they’ve only ruined several of my guitars.

I’d love to own a PRS SE because I had one in the past, and I loved it, but that was before I developed tendinitis. Unfortunately, a “luthier” ended up ruining it.

Does anyone have a PRS SE 24-08 with properly leveled frets?

To what extent can slightly uneven frets be considered tolerable?

What should I check before buying a guitar to avoid severe buzzing issues?

I understand that all guitars buzz to some degree, but I believe there are different levels of intensity, ranging from light and barely noticeable buzz to much louder and more pronounced buzzing.
 
Buy a core, S2, bolt on, or older Korean se.. in that order if sensitive about fretwork. Fretwork on Indo se is a known and common issue..its the luck of the draw. If set on a new se, could see if you have a plek local or order from Sweetwater or somewhere else with the service. Another option is call some of the better dealers. I've noticed the small shops or PRS houses often take more care in getting instruments right than the big boxes.
 
I have bought 6 SEs since October of 2023; 5 from Sweetwater and 1 from Northeast Music Center. No PLEK or any additional setup services on any.
No buzzing issues at all...best factory guitars I've ever owned.

ETA:
Honestly, I can get 'er done on SEs; it makes Cores seemed like overpriced art.

My only gripe is the level of fret and finish polish; still on par with the Cores I've played.
Easily remedied....

IME, I just can't relate to complaints about current SEs.

Then again, I don't claim to stop at every guitar store in my travels and play every PRS.

Sorry...not sorry.
 
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I have a SE 24-08 it did have a couple uneven frets which I discovered when I lowered the action down, I picked up a Frtlzr kit and levelled and polished them, dropped a John Mann bridge in and some locking tuners on it and it’s an absolutely amazing guitar to play now, it was great to start with but now it’s fantastic!
 
I also have an SE with a fret problem, found using a fret rocker that the 14th fret was high, took it back to the store I bought from (warranty right?)had to leave it for a few days, told him what was wrong, calls back says all set, said it just needed a set up, anyway, I took it home, used a fret file until it as level, polished it up, perfect, plays great, before I took it back home I really had to bite my tongue, and refrain from giving him the old you know I was setting up guitars before you born speech, but I didn't.
 
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