Rarely a Problem with a PRS Guitar - SE Custom 24 in Faded Blue Burst gets a String Change and Setup

[@DamianS1893]

I own one of these in same color. It's well built and easy to play

[@hondaboyking]

Thanks for this video. I’ve always wanted to do my own maintenance on my guitar and i already have all the tools to do this. !

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Glad you have found it helpful! I hope you have subscribed to my channel?

[@TravelinDevil76]

PRS recommends putting something under the tremolo so it doesn’t touch the body of the guitar. Thick paper or a rag. Nice video :)

[@robertclarkguitar]

Absolutely beautiful guitar !!!!

[@camerond8176]

Fresh out of the box you'll never beat a PRS in terms of initial quality, fitment, and setup. With love any guitar can be great, but PRS seems to really care about their quality regardless what level your buying at.

[@iancurrie8844]

HAHAHAHAHA

[@RicardoAldana1988]

Excellent video.. I checked the thigthness on the bolts of the tuner and also the screws of each peghead!

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Glad you liked the video- did you sub to my channel as well?

[@RicardoAldana1988]

@@ManotickGuitarTech I would.. greetings!

[@seanc.5310]

Pretty nice factory setup for an import. Guitars have gotten way better in general in recent years but it’s nice to see a decent setup on an import. they usually barely set them up even if the guitar itself is decent. I think Eastman is the only import company I’ve seen with stellar craftsmanship and setups in the past

[@PM-wc1lp]

PRS actually checks/adjusts the setup of the SE's at its US factory before they are ship to dealers.

[@seanc.5310]

@@PM-wc1lp that’s good to hear. Even the best factory setup can be off when a dealer gets it because of climate difference so it’s always nice to buy from a local shop that takes pride in having all of their instruments setup well

[@1sainteve1]

I've owned 3 PRS SE's (2005, 2014, 2023), and they've all needed fret jobs. They are definitely playable when you get them, and well worth the money. But the fret rocker doesn't lie, and SE's aren't the 'perfect' guitars that they are often portrayed as in reviews.

[@shanemarcotte2062]

I was simply floored when a buddy of mine a few years back purchased a Gibson Les Paul that was 4000 bucks and it played like shit. Absolutely no set up on a guitar in that price point? Unreal! PRS takes care of business, even with the imported "lower" end models! I have one of these and cant put her down!!!

[@shanemarcotte2062]

Do you think maybe they have to cut cost SOMEWHERE to0 provide an instrument this good at the cost? You're obviously a novice or honestly an idiot.@@1sainteve1

[@iz8758]

Steve, thank you for your video and teaching! You are great at explaining and illustrating how to follow a system for setup and the works. I bought your gauges and love them. Is it better to correct to intonation after the strings are played a bit given the strings settling after a fresh set? I have a PRS SE Tremonti Charcol Burst Flame Top and really like the neck and how it plays. I installed PRS locking turners to help with tunning stability, but it doesn't seem to make that much of a difference. I wonder if changing out the nut to tusq or bone would make a difference. I don't really know what the nut is made of that some on this model of guitar, but thought it might be part of the problem. Nut action is pretty much dead on at the 0.018 inch. Neck relief is bang on, too. I did adjust a couple saddles during intonation and you method worked great, too. I love the PRS SE Tremonti and would love to get a Tremonti Signautre, but that is a lot of cabbage, but until then, I really love this SE Tremonti. Thank you again for your videos and explainations. You are the best! Jon (Erie, PA). AFTER THOUGHT, where could I purchase the style of feeler gauages you use. Love you workshop!

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

@@iz8758 ideally, you should check the intonation about a week after you do your setup. Make minor adjustments, if required, and then if you don't change string gauge in the future, you should have to adjust the intonation again. Feeler guages are available at hardware and automotive stores... Amazon as well.

[@johnnyx9892]

Excellent guitar for the price point. PRS did it right.

[@linzkirk]

Ive just bought this exact guitar, setup is virtually unplayable, no relief at all, fret buzz. nice video, I will be using your tips.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I hope it goes well!

[@linzkirk]

@@ManotickGuitarTech it did, I got a tiny bit of fret noise on the low E when I really twang it, but apart from that it plays amazing now. It's even the same colour as the on in the vid.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

@@linzkirk that is good news- I would raise the E string up to 4.5 or 5/64ths...helps prevent any buzzing when playing hard

[@ajsrhodes]

Where could I find string feeler gauges like you were using? Love the way you can use it on the individual strings

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

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

[@philmanuel6465]

13:50 curious why you set neck relief to .010, rather than .006?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I find .006 very low especially if you strum hard

[@camerond8176]

PRS spec is .006-0.010. I set mine to 0.010 too and it perfect. Anything less will buzz when playing hard or aggressive.

[@max-airvantagedronephotogr9910]

This video helped me out tremendously! What type of neck rest are you using at the beginning of the video?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Dunlop

[@max-airvantagedronephotogr9910]

@@ManotickGuitarTech okay, thanks!

[@Jrockneta]

Thanks a lot!!!

[@Grand_Alchemist]

So, tighten the tremolo springs to bring it back, and loosen them to bring it forward?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

yup

[@matthewaltomare7629]

Thanks for the Video. I just picked up a PRS 24-08 SE this week, and it was strung with 9's, but with locking tuners. My preference is generally 10's, but I've read that changing gauges on the SE model, would generally require a new nut or a reslot depth. Any input, as I would definitely prefer 10's, but not sure I want to install a new nut just yet.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I would try the 10' s and see how they play... you probably wont need to do anything the the nut

[@matthewaltomare7629]

@@ManotickGuitarTech Thanks for the advice!

[@camerond8176]

I run a hybrid, heavy bottom 3 strings (10's) and light top 3 strings (9's)....................gives me that nice full stable bottom end, and bendy top end. Seems to work very well with the PRS 25" between scale length from Gibson/Fender.

[@matthewaltomare7629]

@@camerond8176 Thanks!!! Completely forgot about hybrids

[@dougmoore224]

Hmmm...excellent video from a master repair tech....

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Thanks, Doug! I hope you have subscribed to my channel?

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

Good Job!

[@bcain5823]

I watched your setup video on a green PRS Custom 24 and noticed you place a spacer under the bridge before changing strings but not here. Is there a reason for that? Also, I was wondering if it would be safer to just change the strings one at a time?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

This guitar was brand new and adjusted nice and even with the body - the same gauge strings were used so the bridge wasn't going to be affected... you can change one string at a time, nothing wrong with that; but it makes it hard to clean the fingerboard and polish the frets 😁

[@dimasnugroho94_]

From my country Indonesia

[@frogdayb1763]

If this was a factory-fresh guitar it should have come with 9-42 PRS Classic strings, so where did the 10s come from? It would be a good idea to put a piece of cardstock under the back of the bridge when the strings are removed to prevent "bridge bite" into the finish.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Not sure if the Indonesian models come with 9's... they might have been changed at the store before he bought the guitar as well.

[@gebics7]

@@ManotickGuitarTech They come with 9-42, at least I got my SE with them :)

[@ScottDreyfus]

My custom 22 mira and zm came with signature 10s

[@carltonjones2915]

I think I'm going to go back to nine's or at least 9.5 to 44

[@kz900r4]

Just ordered this guitar. Had a question. My dad always told me never to take all the strings off a guitar at the same time because it will warp the neck. So if I see a used guitar on marketplace but it doesn’t have strings in it would that be a problem. Looks like it was sitting for years.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Well, it might be an issue if the truss rod wasn't adjusted so the neck was flat- no bowing- once the strings were removed. Check the truss rod and neck very carefully before buying.

[@ClintCurtis]

I have the same drill, what did you use to remove the strings with it?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

String remover attachment - I think from Dunlop... check Amazon or your local guitar shop.

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Very useful video, thanks! Do you happen to know the thickness of the neck at the first and twelfth frets at all?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Thanks for watching- I hope you have subscribed to my? I dont have the measurements for the neck.

[@TheBabypod]

I've had my PRS SE custom 24 for a couple years so it is older than the one you were doing here which was only 2 weeks old at the time. Maybe not importan, but regarding which pickups are active when the split coil knob is pulled up, on mine it is the opposite of this guitar in your video, i.e., the pickups with the screw heads (front on the neck setting, rear on the bridge setting), are the ones that are active. Does that matter?

[@wealthfinder192]

If the intonation on a string is out how would you fix it? You just said they were all ok.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

You would move each saddle forward or backward to adjust the intonation. I have many videos that demonstrate that- check them out!

[@paisteplayer1040]

I have the 35th anniversary edition in this exact color.

[@musicproductionvideos5019]

Can you tell me the pickup output of these... and also what kind of nut they use for these SE models. Thanks!

[@Archtops]

Thank you! Great tutorial. Liked and subbed.

[@CharlieSzabototh]

Just found your channel. I've just moved to the Ottawa area and have a new guitar that could use a setup (I think). How can I contact you to set something up?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Hi, Charlie. Send me an email at [e-mail]

[@var1410]

I have the same guitar in the same colour. I have a question, what should I use to polish the body and frets? Should I use a nitro safe polish or a normal polish? Also what brand would you recommend?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Pretty sure these have a poly finish, not nitro...but you should check your guitar specs to make sure

[@var1410]

@@ManotickGuitarTech thank you

[@scottymcalister4915]

I have that same guitar I don't know what is wrong with it the strings feel too hard for me to bend especially the B and E strings I don't know if the action is off or what it didn't feel that way when I brought her home it feels like I've been playing one of Stevie Ray Vaughn's Strats strung up with 13 gauge strings my fingers turn blue every time I play this guitar and they are sore really sore

[@filterscape]

What gauge strings are on it. And what tuning are you in? E standard?

[@badbob]

Nice guitar, I'm thinking about getting one. If anyone has an opinion. I would love to see it.

[@anderssvart3257]

Scuse me, does it have stainless steel frets? They're so shiny there

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

No- nickel silver

[@glennmccormick8661]

I thought that se model came from the factory with 09s? Strange it had 10s.

[@electricgypsyblues4761]

Thank you for this walk through. I was very interested in prob buying one of these, What's your overall opinion of it, besides the obvious that its on the lower end of PRS's guitars

[@Archtops]

Worth every dime!

[@klepetar]

mine .. a standard22.. is almost impossible to get the same action as my gibsons..

[@Lovell93]

Is there a reason why you let it sit for several hours between each step? I'm curious because I am buying this exact guitar and want to learn to set it up on my own. Just curious as other videos have shown them doing each step immediately after the other. Sweet guitar and awesome video! Can't wait to get mine!

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I like to let guitar sit for a while after I restring it so the neck can settle in

[@Lovell93]

@@ManotickGuitarTech Ah, makes sense. Thank you for answering. I've been playing for 15 years now and have never attempted to set my guitars up on my own lol but I figured I'm 30 now so I might as well learn it😂

[@GuitarType01]

How much does it cost to pay someone to change the strings and do the overall set up of a guitar? (Action/truss rod adjustment, intonation, etc)

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Depending on where you live anywhere from $60-100, I would think

[@iancurrie8844]

This guitar actually shipped with 9s, according to PRS spec. Mine did, for sure. That said, mine came setup HORRIBLY. The bridge was fully 1/8" off the deck both front and back and the saddles were at their lowest point, laying flat on the bridge in the case of the high "E" with no screw tension on the saddle. The high couldn't be intonated and because the saddle was all the way forward and pushing against the screw for the bridge plate which prevented tremolo movement and correct intonation. Action was about 3mm at the 17th fret...(relief about 0.007") Absolutely unplayable out of the box. I had to remove the strings, and remove the trem springs to protect the knife edge of the trem and lower the trem 1/16" making sure they're all perfectly level before I could even think about completing the rest of the setup. PRS claims they inspect every guitar in their US facility. I say that's B.S.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

That sounds like a bad experience

[@paisteplayer1040]

SE's are better built, better tuning stability , better quality control than American made Gibsons.

[@aliengrey6052]

You have no idea ! Se guitars are cheap sounding Gibsons are not.

[@paisteplayer1040]

@@aliengrey6052 Enjoy trying to keep it in tune.. pickups are most of what you hear, change em if you dont like them. There is nothing cheap sounding about the SE's, especially the newer ones with the TCI pickups. I will stand by my statement they better built with far superior tuning stability and better fit and finish than gibson.

[@aliengrey6052]

@@paisteplayer1040 Prs are well made. I have both Gibson and prs se. I’ve ordered another prs se hollowbody standard fireburst due to it being in the sale at 547.00 gdp with a hard case. My problem is the pickups aren’t that good. Buying a guitar for 799.00 then having to put a set of 250.00 pickups in it is throwing money in the trash can. You can buy a vintage brand guitar with amazing pickups and build quality for 339.00 gdp !!!! I have two gibsons, four vintage guitars and there isn’t much in it. Prs se are good as well but so many manufacturers like Shecter, fender Mexican, vintage, ect are much better value.

[@paisteplayer1040]

@@aliengrey6052 To each their own

[@aliengrey6052]

@@paisteplayer1040 yep.

[@stephenfell4338]

Take the advice from the successful company PRS if you have a one you can’t go wrong then you know the measurements &se up are correct. PRS Tec centre

[@stephenfell4338]

Did you know 4/64 is a 1/16 get real or go metric

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

4/64 is 1/16...really? I didn't know that 😁

[@Grili561]

The single worst quality guitar I’ve ever had in my possession was a PRS SE Custom 24. But, if you are willing to put hundreds of dollars of mods into one they can work.

[@StupidGuitar]

cool story. That’s not the norm but you do you and keep trolling

[@Grili561]

@@StupidGuitar Telling the truth is considered trolling? I guess that doesn’t surprise me.

[@StupidGuitar]

@@Grili561 nah implying they all need 100s of dollars of work because yours did is trolling. You also gave no details so it’s just a “trust me bro”

[@Grili561]

@@StupidGuitar all you have to do is ask if you have any questions. If you need your guitar for gigging, then people need to be aware that they may need to mod this guitar significantly. Tuning issues are pretty common with them, and I spoke with two luthiers (who are very good), and they both said the material used on the SE string nuts isn’t very good. They know my style and that I use the tremolo, and they both said that I’d never have an instrument nearly as reliable as my other guitars that have tusq. The input jack gets stuck, and you have to full force ram the guitar cable into the jack. The three way switch gets stuck in between positions all the time. The tuners were mediocre, but because the guitar has the single worst tuning stability out of any instrument I’ve ever played, I had to buy locking ones. The end of the fretboard is literally just a hacked off piece of rosewood. It’s bumpy, not smooth, and jagged. Also, the pink isn’t the same shade on either side of the laminate top, so one side is visibly darker than the other. You can see it a mile away, and it looks like a butt crack runs right down the middle of the guitar. All of that stuff is from the factory, built, inspected, and shipped. People need to know that these guitars might have problems. All you gotta do is ask. This wasn’t even a hot take, and it certainly wasn’t trolling. You just projected some shit into what I posted, because it’s the internet. Btw, I don’t recall seeing any professional guitarists playing any PRS SEs completely stock. After buying one, I understand why. Facts don’t equal trolling.

[@StupidGuitar]

@@Grili561 I know several musicians that gif with their SEs. Almost all of your comments are inaccurate and fly in the face of almost everyone’s comments about the quality of the SE guitars for the price . I get it, you have an agenda. That’s all good. Just be transparent next time and it’ll be a lot easier to go “oh that guys ignorant I won’t engage”