Would you switch to the new tuning buttons?

[LCA]

The new tuners are the only thing I don't love about my otherwise fantastic Custom 24. They are so lightweight that when I put the guitar down next to me on a couch, the G and or D string tuner always gets moved out of place. I think it's a surprising oversight. And yes the ends of the tuners are tightly screwed in.

Of course it's no big deal, and there are a bunch of ways to manage it, but I kinda get annoyed that I can't just put the guitar down without finding it out of tune when I pick it back up.

 

[László]

The new tuners are the only thing I don't love about my otherwise fantastic Custom 24. They are so lightweight that when I put the guitar down next to me on a couch, the G and or D string tuner always gets moved out of place. I think it's a surprising oversight. And yes the ends of the tuners are tightly screwed in.

Of course it's no big deal, and there are a bunch of ways to manage it, but I kinda get annoyed that I can't just put the guitar down without finding it out of tune when I pick it back up.

If that was an annoying issue for me I'd order different buttons from the PRS store.

I have no axe to grind here, none of my PRS guitars came with the new buttons.

 

[LCA]

If that was an annoying issue for me I'd order different buttons from the PRS store.

I have no axe to grind here, none of my PRS guitars came with the new buttons.

I briefly considered that, but liked the idea of keeping the guitar stock. It's annoying but not at the level of being a big deal. In the end I bought one of those neck rests to keep the neck angled up when I lay it down. That or I just find the nearest cushion. Lots of ways to deal with it!

 

[László]

In the end I bought one of those neck rests to keep the neck angled up when I lay it down.

Great idea!

Come to think of it, the relatively fancy gig bag I bought to schlep the guitars around in has a neck rest that's velcro'd in so it can be taken out and used for that very purpose. I haven't done it yet. Maybe I will, now that you mention it!

That or I just find the nearest cushion. Lots of ways to deal with it!

You bet. I'd just lay the guitar in its case, but the cushion would work for me, too!

 

[DennyBob]

If the buttons were a problem, a drop in sales would occur across the board, not just with one model. Why would it be unique to the SC models? There's no way it would.

I sincerely doubt that the tuner buttons were even remotely a cause of the 594 SC being out of the lineup. You don't see the other models using the new buttons failing to sell, the factory is back-ordered last I heard.

It's probably got a lot more to do with the fact that it's harder to sell a heavier Singlecut guitar than the usual PRS shape that's lighter and offers easy upper-fret access. PRS makes what the dealers order, and when something doesn't sell as well for any reason, it's out of the lineup.

On the other hand, I prefer the SC. The tuner buttons wouldn't be at all relevant to my decision re: whether or not to buy one. If they are to you, no problem, but I suspect you're in the minority (of customers, not necessarily folks on this specialty/geeky forum - of which I'm proud to be a geeky member. ).

Late reply. I have both a SC and a DC US 594 and the fret access cut and access are the exact same. The SC sounds better, but it’s a Semi-Hollow, and it seems to have tighter low end notes. I never noticed any “airy~ness” like my HB II 594, which is suspect is a term for acoustic quality. Plugged in, they rank Semi-Hollow SC594 (Metal Tweaked Phase III) a 2018 limited run, so either the wood choice for the run, the age or the 58/15LT version that year give it its sweetness. Next are two of my three 2024 models - the HB II 594 sounds magnificent, but just .000001% less so than the SC. Lastly I bought two more in 2024, all three with the plastic buttons - I don’t miss the metal, I miss the locking screws. I really miss them. A DC 594, which is solid and .00002% less as sweet as my other two 594s. I really think plugged in a club or hall levels it’s academic - they all sound the same. Lastly, I bought a 24 Paul’s guitar, which I haven’t bonded with. It sounds and plays fantastic, but I prefer the 594 tone.

I’ve been considering selling it and getting a Special Semi-Hollow since they still have the 58/15LT pickups in them.

So since I have 5 US PRS, four with plastic buttons (I also have a 23 Silver Sky), the plastic is fine, the loss of the locking screws bothers me.

 

[Glide-bpm]

Late reply. I have both a SC and a DC US 594 and the fret access cut and access are the exact same. The SC sounds better, but it’s a Semi-Hollow, and it seems to have tighter low end notes. I never noticed any “airy~ness” like my HB II 594, which is suspect is a term for acoustic quality. Plugged in, they rank Semi-Hollow SC594 (Metal Tweaked Phase III) a 2018 limited run, so either the wood choice for the run, the age or the 58/15LT version that year give it its sweetness. Next are two of my three 2024 models - the HB II 594 sounds magnificent, but just .000001% less so than the SC. Lastly I bought two more in 2024, all three with the plastic buttons - I don’t miss the metal, I miss the locking screws. I really miss them. A DC 594, which is solid and .00002% less as sweet as my other two 594s. I really think plugged in a club or hall levels it’s academic - they all sound the same. Lastly, I bought a 24 Paul’s guitar, which I haven’t bonded with. It sounds and plays fantastic, but I prefer the 594 tone.

I’ve been considering selling it and getting a Special Semi-Hollow since they still have the 58/15LT pickups in them.

So since I have 5 US PRS, four with plastic buttons (I also have a 23 Silver Sky), the plastic is fine, the loss of the locking screws bothers me.

I can't deal with not having locking tuners..... I don't care how good they look or whatever, no lockie, good bye-ie...

 

[Broseph]

I wish all the new phase 3 came with the side screw option to replace the button of your choice. It can’t be that much heavier. A gram maybe? Worth it for the options. Having said that I have upgraded an older CE (22) to phase 3 with the new winged black buttons. I mainly did it for the tuners themselves. I find it easier to turn the new buttons with precision. Far better to grip.

 

[Tony M.]

I would get the new tuning buttons in a minute if they came with a guitar attached to them.

 

[5Springer]

I hated the look of them until I saw a new antique white S2 McCarty at my local shop that have them and the new open back tuners.. looks fantastic! Only downside on that model is they are not locking.

Charles

 

[László]

So since I have 5 US PRS, four with plastic buttons (I also have a 23 Silver Sky), the plastic is fine, the loss of the locking screws bothers me.

Not having locking tuners is a bother for me, too.

It's been a long time since I've owned a PRS electric without them - I think my last one was a RW neck McCarty back in 2006. Even my vintage-style McCarty Singlecut PS model came with open-geared Phase III lockers.

The PS acoustic came with the UK open-geared machines with ebony buttons that are very different from most PRS tuning machines (I forgot who made them). The non-lockers are OK for that type of instrument, though I still wish it had locking tuners for string changes!