Tremolo swap?

[lgk1208]

Tried searching for answer here and elsewhere, but couldn't find it. So I hope I'm not bothering you all, but my question is if I wanted to upgrade a tremolo in SE CU24, would a US PRS tremolo drop in or no? If no, then what mods would have to be done?
Is it even worth it? Pros and Cons?
THANK YOU

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

It will drop in and it is well worth it. I did this to my SE Santana along with a lot of other US upgrades and I would put it up against virtually any other US made guitar, barring its Maryland Made PRS counterparts...

You'll notice much better sustain and the "ring" of the guitar acoustically will improve by a large margin...

Just do it, you won't be disappointed....

 

[lgk1208]

Thank you

 

[justmund]

I've also done this in a SE, the US bridge is the same design, however it is much better made; the casting is better, as is the finish. I believe it uses a different sized hex key for action adjustment, so make sure you get a new one with the US bridge. I also swapped out the 6 screws that hold the trem in place, just in case they were better...

Does it work any better? Hard to say, I also swapped the nut for a US one and tuners for a locking type. I did it at the same time to separating out any improvement is difficult.

The other major difference (on mine anyway), is the US bridge has a brass block. PRS use brass blocks on their US models for a reason, although there are others that prefer a steel block. Which one is better? Up to your ears.

Why do you want to upgrade? Is it a tone or functionality thing? If it's working fine, but you just want to do it because you can, I'd suggest spending your money on other upgrades, such as a US nut or US pickups/wiring.

 

[lgk1208]

I've also done this in a SE, the US bridge is the same design, however it is much better made; the casting is better, as is the finish. I believe it uses a different sized hex key for action adjustment, so make sure you get a new one with the US bridge. I also swapped out the 6 screws that hold the trem in place, just in case they were better...

Does it work any better? Hard to say, I also swapped the nut for a US one and tuners for a locking type. I did it at the same time to separating out any improvement is difficult.

The other major difference (on mine anyway), is the US bridge has a brass block. PRS use brass blocks on their US models for a reason, although there are others that prefer a steel block. Which one is better? Up to your ears.

Why do you want to upgrade? Is it a tone or functionality thing? If it's working fine, but you just want to do it because you can, I'd suggest spending your money on other upgrades, such as a US nut or US pickups/wiring.

I was just curious. Thank you

 

[garrett]

I wouldn't bother upgrading unless you get a one-piece MannMade USA bridge. It's the top of the heap; superior to the two-piece PRS-made bridges.

 

[Brad737]

I agree. The MannMade trem rocks. I just spec'd this trem on my recent Private Stock build.

I wouldn't bother upgrading unless you get a one-piece MannMade USA bridge. It's the top of the heap; superior to the two-piece PRS-made bridges.

 

[docbennett]

I wouldn't bother upgrading unless you get a one-piece MannMade USA bridge. It's the top of the heap; superior to the two-piece PRS-made bridges.

I agree. The MannMade trem rocks. I just spec'd this trem on my recent Private Stock build.

Worth noting that these were the original Bridges PRS used, and John Mann still makes them.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

IMO the difference between the SE hardware and US hardware is likely to be more audible than the difference between the US (Excel) and Mann bridge. Even then, I have to wonder if the real benefit would be in the knife-edge screws and the saddles. I say that having swapped out almost all of my Trems to the Mann bridge. If you had me A/B my own guitars before and after the swap and tell you (blind folded) which was the Excel bridge and which was the Mann bridge, I'd be guessing.

So why did I swap so many bridges out? Because I'm a hopeless tweeker.