How to Set Up a PRS Electric Guitar - a nice Paul Reed Smith SE Custom 24-08 in Eriza Verde Green!

The is Paul Reed Smith PRS SE Custom 24-08 in Eriza Verde green is a great looking guitar! The owner wants a string change and setup as this is a new guitar for him... lucky guy! I will do string change, float the tremolo bridge, adjust the neck relief and string height as well the pickups. These guitars are made really well and should be considered by everyone looking for a new or used guitar... maybe even before buying a Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Les Paul. Enjoy the video!
-Steve Roy
Manotick StringWorks
Ottawa, Ontario
sroymsw@gmailcom
Intro music by Dave Williamson
davewilliamsonmusic.ca

[@ConditionZero76]

The Trem arm isn't just friction fit, theirs actually a grub screw behind the trem arm that tightens down with said allen key to keep it in place 👍🏼

[@simonkormendy849]

I read somewhere that the trem bridge on a PRS guitar should be set-up so that the underside of the bridgeplate sits 1/16th of an inch above the front of the guitar and parallel to it in order for it to float-properly and function correctly.

[@jayp.2313]

Thanks I learned a lot from you. Great video and a great guitar. I like mine a lot. I had to adjust my truss rod a bit. I still have to do a intonation. But it sounds great now.

[@4jacksFort]

Thank you for the great video! I bought a similar PRS Custom SE and had no clue how to care for it.

[@tdhayes1]

Excellent Video! I will use the same process on my DGT! Guitar sounds so good right now! I don't want to mess with it.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! 😁

[@michaelgottlieb9083]

Great work and very informative. Gives one a comfort level that they could do their own setup as necessary. own two PRS custom 22's w/trem and two 24-08's w/trem and feel much more comfortable now about setting them up if I had to. I'd like find out what the PRS factory specs are...that would be great. I'll post them if I find them. Thanks a bunch!

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Thanks...you should find the info here: support.prsguitars.com/hc/en-us/sections/4407418294683--Setup-Adjustments

[@matthewaltomare7629]

Thanks for another pertinent video :-). Did you make those pickup/string height tools yourself? Or did you purchase them from somewhere else? Feeler gauges are generally available, but don't recall seeing those lower string/pickup tools previously. Almost looks like allen wrenches embedded in a wooden handle.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I make my gauges and they might be for sale soon

[@ledhendrix5054]

I have a PRS SE24 08 standard which I got so I could travel around with , absolutely staggered by the QC I couldn't find 1 problem with it not even a minute scratch , it cost me £499 with a padded official gig bag , compared to an Ibanez Jem I bought Brand new for nearly 4 × the amount I noticed a badly finished Monkey Grip its got bumps inside the grip , and buffing compound around the Jack socket and inside the Lions claw . I found out that even the PRS SE goes to a UK HQ to be inspected and set up before it goes to a dealer .

[@63fryeguy]

I have the same guitar and for a while I was thinking that maybe it wasn't the best purchase. As my playing has improved and my understanding the capabilities of my PRS, I'm really happy I made the choice to give it a shot. I like it more each day!

[@pjevans854]

Well…flamed maple-looking veneer

[@iused2bfast153]

Another great setup, the PRS SE's are great value and super consistent! Quick question, should the string be detuned before raising a saddle? Ive stripped the saddle height screws a couple times be leaving the string tuned to pitch

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

good idea to loosen the string beforehand - you can also pull it up off the saddle slightly to relieve the pressure

[@iused2bfast153]

@@ManotickGuitarTech thanks I like your method better, quicker and easier

[@0000song0000]

Are you *me* ? #DoneThatToo

[@bcain5823]

Thinking about purchasing a PRS. I currently have an old SG Standard and have always used Ernie Ball 10 - 46 gauge. Is the bridge saddle critical enough to use a different tongue depressor thickness between the recommended 09s and the 10s?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

It shouldn't make difference- you will have to adjust the spring tension which is affected by the gauge of string

[@danhusband6154]

I love the green… but then I also have a Torino Green Gretsch… so, as you’ve said, to each his own

[@jakethegiant8267]

Would I still use the popsicle stick under the trem if I’m changing string gauge?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Yes you would

[@mikemullenix1377]

So recently purchased a used prs standard 24. String gauge unsure and the bridge plate was slammed all the way down. I’m trying to get it set back up properly. It seems to be correct best I can tell. But occasionally when I’m changing chords like a to a d the d chord will sound out of tune. I’ll go and check the intonation and it will be tuned properly. I’m not resting my hand on the bridge either. Any clues?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

a D chord is almost always out of tune on any guitar... usually the pressure on the b string makes the note sharp

[@RobAndKim444]

Hi from Hintonburg, I just got a excellent deal on a PRS s2 standard, can you sand down the neck to give it a slim feel, (getting the finish perfect isn't a worry at all, playability matters way more), I've played fenders all my life, baseball neck is messing with me, if yes, I'll gladly contact you 👍

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Message me at my email address - [e-mail]. Thanks.

[@RobAndKim444]

@@ManotickGuitarTech 👍

[@kevinanderson8118]

Did you make or buy your wooden handled string height measuring tools?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I make them and sell them on my website www.manotickstringworks.com

[@jackbandel]

could you just change the strings one at a time to keep the trem from moving?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Yes, if you use the same gauge of string

[@timrobuda1550]

Hello I have prs se custom 24 but my tremolo arm is loose they say there is screw in that hole to tight I only got the Allen key and tremolo tighting key ?? Can u tell me what is wrong 😢😢 I went to repair shop they said there should be screw I don't know what to do???

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

You might need a M3 x 8mm x 1.5mm grub screw...check your case or gig bag to see if it is in there somewhere. It is a very small screw

[@user-ek5vj5hz5s]

If the guitar has graph tech nut it is not necessary to use any lubrication for the nut.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

it doesn't hurt...

[@microsmart714]

my trem is very loose. Is it supposed to be that way in prs?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

@@microsmart714 it shouldn't t feel loose

[@chancemiller9340]

6 extremely sharp string ends just waiting near each tuning peg just waiting to slice a finger. Nice. 😮

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I have been bloodied before!

[@mattbryant2447]

After i set up neck relief i cant get my action lower than 7/64ths… both my e string saddles are all the way down. What should i do to fix that?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

If you have a bolt on neck, you might need to shim it.

[@mattbryant2447]

@@ManotickGuitarTech not a bolt on

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

@@mattbryant2447 what is your neck relief? It should be between .008-.010" at the 7th fret

[@mattbryant2447]

@@ManotickGuitarTech it’s 0.08

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

@@mattbryant2447 bring it to a local tech now... not much else to be done.

[@n0nyabznss]

Lemon oil is acidic and will dry out the fretboard. Use bore-oil instead. You should also tune the guitar in playing position, not laying down. I would be concerned about that spacer scratching the finish on the guitar.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I haven't had that issue yet, but I do know people who use bore oil as well.

[@m.drakibulhassanbhuiyanlip4646]

You sholul need to it talk about Neck relief

[@stevewilson7915]

I love your site but I hate a green guitar. Just my taste, to each his own.

[@Sams911]

nothing played nicer than a well setup PRS Core, or Private Stock guitar... That's an SE, not bad but it's not a true PRS in my view.

[@1959Berre]

I agree, the back plates should be recessed. BTW the orange transparant knobs are hideous. And those 2 toggle switches are just ridiculous.

[@ConditionZero76]

In your opinion, and as they say opinions are like a$$holes, we all have them, and they all stink!! Sometimes, it's best to say nothing than to be negative

[@spez2112]

With all due respect, I would not want someone working om my guitars, wearing a metal zippered jacket, other than that .......

[@yourbore]

Get on with it. We don't need to be told to keep tools that come with the guitar.

[@audiophileman7047]

He's telling us this, because so often they get lost. I almost lost mine but recently found them buried on my desk. I appreciate the tip even if you don't.