What does it mean to have a Parallel Tremolo Bridge? | Tips From The Tech

[@That70sGuitarist]

After buying my 1991 Custom 24 at Steve's Music in Ottawa on January 20, 1992, I soon learned how to do most adjustments for myself, because it's a big money saver. I've always set my floating bridge so that it rests perfectly parallel to the top, since that's how it was when I bought it. Thanks for sharing this, because not everybody knows how to do their own adjustments. Sincerely, Mac Leahy.😉

[@joshigh]

Also a huge time saver. Taking it to a tech across town, waiting for a week or more for return. It adds up quick. A simple set of tools and some know how is key.

[@That70sGuitarist]

@@joshigh To quote Lynyrd Skynyrd, "you sho' 'nuff got that right!" New electric guitars almost always come with a very basic set of wrenches for adjusting the bridge or neck, but a halfway decent set of guitar tools can be had for as little as $30 on Amazon, and they can make all the difference in the world. For example, my most recent acquisition came with 10-42 strings, but my preferred gauge for

[@goneflying140]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!!! I bought a used USA made PRS, and it was in rough shape setup wise when I got it. I got it playing great with beautiful low action, but I couldn't get it to stay in tune at all when I hit the tremelo. I followed the steps in your video for the bridge setup and now it stays in PERFECT tune. I can wail on it like a floyd, and even do pull outs, and it still stays in perfect tune!!! I can't believe it!!! I was just about to trade it in, but now it's a keeper!!! Its a beautiful blue flame top too!!! Thanks again!!!

[@MorGuitarz]

So awesome & helpful... I've got 4 PRS's and love all of them

[@jst601]

Very helpful; just gor a brand new PRS SE Custom 24 & this IS what I was looking for. Thanks PRS.

[@markhorton3041]

Hey Skitch!!! I currently have a PRS CE24 and absolutely love it!! But anyway, I just wanna say Thank You for doing these tutorials, because it’s real easy to get anxious about how to properly care for these guitars . For me it is anyway.So Thanks again and stay safe and stay Healthy!!

[@fanguo4149]

Hello Skitchy! Greetings from China! I have a lovely prs dgt which equipped with gen II bridge, after watching this video I realized my dealer totally messed the bridge up, but no luthiers here can let those six mounting screws perfectly parallel again. I found that your comments said we can do it by eyes, but I’d like to know how do you make these 6 mounting screws deadly parallel in factory. I also watched the video by Mr.Mann that could be done by 2.5mm Allen keys, but I found that did not work very well for me, is any more accurate ways to let them back to original factory settings? Could you please give me some suggestions on it? Many thanks!

[@kbkman7742]

Just a note on blocking the bridge... I did that to an old ce22 recently. I made sure the bridge was set up dead flat to the strings beforehand. You don't realise there's an issue until you need to adjust your intonation, and your action starts changing because the saddles are sitting on a little ramp moving up and down as well as front to back

[@dnylcrso-official]

Thank you for this! I had changed 3 sets of string for 2 days, lubed the nut and couldnt find why still going sharp on the tuning until you mentioned the strings should be parallel to the bridge! Amen, problem solved! Trem works perfect🤘

[@Lubaneca]

I've just changed my string gauge from PRS stock to 10-52 on my Standard SE 24-08 (it has a "PRS Patented Molded tremolo") and now the bridge is bent down towards the neck. Is there an official guide I cloud use to "fix" the bridge to have it parallel to the guitar body? I want to avoid having to go to a guitar shop here in Sofia, Bulgaria, because I don't trust the techs there.

[@ellsworth1956]

If the Back of the Trem is above parallel you need to tighten the trem springs if it is below parallel you need to loosen the springs. You accomplish this by tightening or loosening the two screws that hold the spring plate to the body. Or you can add or remove a spring if it is way off.

[@rsv2828]

Thanks for all the information and help.

[@lordgraga]

I would love a video on how to properly block a trem. Or that is, set up a blocked PRS trem. My CE-22 will thank you.

[@Memo55CS]

Skitchy a question a little off of this video but My PRS guitars all came with 10's for strings and I just purchased PRS 9.5 strings and would like to change to them. Question is do I have to do anything about the Nut on these guitars?

[@z3guitars]

Nut should be fine for 9.5.

[@darrenjarvis8630]

Hi Skitchy, Good video and thanks/stay safe. Right, I'm not considering it on any of my guitars, but lowering or raising the trem bridge. What is the best method of setting the screw height? The screws seem to have a U undercut in them. So lining them all up with a suitable straight edge on the top might be one way, the underside of the heads maybe, or doing even turns of adjustment might get you close but they all have to be parallel to the setup of course. Also, is the knife-edge on the trem made by countersinking the holes from both sides, please?

[@jackbandel]

If you want to lower the bridge would you turn the screws clockwise? What’s the preferred way to lower the action…by lowering those 6 bridge screws or by lowering the individual saddles?

[@Schuylock]

The bottom of your bridge should be 1/16" from the top of the body and you should adjust saddle height from there.

[@DavidMacVicar]

My S2 from the guitar shop (purchased new) has the bridge sitting up pretty high. Compared to my other PRS, it is definitely higer than 1/16th. I do have tuning stability issues on this guitar at the moment. The bass side is up higher than the E (but both sides of the bridge are much higher than 1/16th from the body) I might start from stratch and follow the John Mann 6 point method.

[@musicbyhiran]

Is it safe to remove all the 6 screws to clean the rust off a bridge and make sure it is fixed properly?

[@Voxmanhank]

I have a 89' Custom 24 and the action has become high. I checked the neck relief and that seemed perfect, as you have explained. The bridge a tiny, tiny bit forward. Do I set the high and low E strings and use a radius gauge to set the remaining strings. To do this I need to lower the saddles, but you have said the break angle of the strings over the saddles is an important concern when setting up a PRS. Had it for 22 years and this is the first time it's ever needed an adjustment. It's played 100's of gigs and I plan on getting it " Pleck'd " in the future to take any divots out of the frets. Secondly if my can I tighten the springs in the back a bit to straighten the forward leaning bridge?

[@z3guitars]

Lowering the saddles is fine. You want to keep an eye on the level of the bridge vs the strings. And small adjustments to the claw screws with tuning after each adjustment is the way to do it.

[@Voxmanhank]

@@z3guitars Thanks James! PRS Rules

[@JetEdz]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ThatGuy2042_]

Can you retrofit an S2 with a core trem of some type or are they not interchangable?

[@z3guitars]

They are. You can swap a core Gen 2 trem onto a SE or S2. Make sure you use the core trem screws too!

[@chiefmegadeth]

Just got my PRS 24 Standard and when I push down on the bridge it makes a clicking noise and goes sharp by a little bit? If push it back up from the bottom of the bridge it goes back in tune. is this easily resolved? Do I need to tighten anything? Quick tips would be great. Just upgraded to PRS locking tuners. From Sydney Australia

[@LottimusMaximus]

Thank you 🙏!!

[@stickpictures]

Late to the party but... I've got a 513 which I love, but I've always noticed that when I trem a chord, it goes out of tune with itself as I trem down. It returns to tune just fine on release, but while it's changing pitch the trem doesn't seem to be affecting the individual strings equally. A bit subtle but over the years it has bothered my ear more and more. Not sure if the adjustments you're talking about here address that. I've talked to other PRS players who tell me it's just an imperfection in how the PRS trem works. Say it ain't so!

[@mauriziomoli2064]

I think It's perfectly normal that when you lower the bridge while playing a chord it tunes down irregularly. Because loosing the tension affects differently the different strings.

[@siddharthchand3789]

Hey guys can u please make detailed video of se tremonti standard bridge setup

[@99ramon]

What's best way to adjust spacing on the Silver Sky bridge? loosen strings or when strings are off etc? The spacing between the D&G is a bit wider than I'd like. Thanks

[@Ragnar_Rock]

Big QC issue on a PRS SE Custom 35th Anniversary -.- The hole for the Trem-Block is not cut well and the block has contact to the body, which causes a squeaky noise and the Trem gets stuck a liite bit every time the block dives down into it. Just bought it used from a guy who bought it just for collecting/having it and was just staying around for month. The tail of the Trem was much to high (delivery setup), so I brought it into balance. And then the problem showed up and was recognizable for the first time. The former owner never recognized it because he never used the guitar and due to he is not experienced in guitar setup, never noticed that the trem wasn´t in balance at all and this would be necessary. Returning to the dealer to get a replacemnet is not possible anymore, because the Anniversary is not available anymore. It is my first PRS and the first guitar in this price area and it was meant to be something special for me. 1000- € is a lot of money for me and needed hard work to save for my new "dream guitar" Very disapointed -.-

[@frannyp46]

Thanks a lot. Great advice

[@tmp1k]

is there a good video on how to lift the bridge higher away from the body? the front of the bridge on my guitar is really close to the body. should i take the strings off and loosen the 6 screws at the front of the body?

[@jasonbaines3371]

How best can I maximise running stability on my DGT

[@fei-fun2856]

Hi there! I got a PRS USA 2010 model custom 24 and my bridge it’s moving, I think some is loose, it’s was a little higher and now the whole bridge is siting on the body, how do I have to do to level my bridge on the right spot?

[@TheIronjose]

How do you know if your trem screws are properly aligned with each other?

[@z3guitars]

I do it by eye. Sight down and make sure I have a straight line across the bottom of the heads.

[@prasannasayami1351]

​@@z3guitars I am almost about to buy the PRS SE Custom 24-08 but what's holding me back is the floating bridge. I like to use alternate tunings (Eb standard, drop D) and be able to bend without other strings changing pitch. Is it possible to setup the guitar's bridge to be like a hardtail without damaging/wearing out anything? (There's a video on how to float a flush mount PRS bridge but not one on decking or blocking the bridge.) Is decking the same as having the trem flush with the body? Should I tighten the trem claw springs, add a spring, and maybe screw the 6 screws down (when they're not under tension)? Or should I instead find a PRS that has a hardtail/stoptail bridge?

[@z3guitars]

@@prasannasayami1351 Hi. You don't want to flush mount a regular prs bridge. You can block it with a tremlno or wood block though. You will def want to if you are doing many tuning changes outside of just a drop d scenario (they hold pretty well in only dropping 1 string.

[@prasannasayami1351]

@@z3guitars Thank you! Would love to see a step-wise video in the future on blocking PRS bridges with wood. What is the purpose of turning the 6 screws? Do they need to be adjusted while blocking the bridge? Since the 6 screws can be adjusted only after removing strings & springs, is the process of blocking with wood different from what one would do in any other guitar that with a floating bridge?

[@z3guitars]

@@prasannasayami1351 nope. Leave those there. Then block so the bridge sits parallel with the strings, same as a setup without it blocked

[@topeishi1725]

Hi! My PRS SE CU24 trem height is not equal the bass side is a bit higher compare to treble side what might be the cause?

[@Bouillestfu]

My custom 24's bridge has the screws at both extremeties (under both E strings) lower than the other 4 center screws. Should I lower those down to all be leveled?

[@z3guitars]

yes. they all should be level. be sure to remove all tension (strings and springs) before you adjust.

[@irf888]

@@z3guitars Hi. I read the whole thread, just wanted to say thanks for sharing your advice. You answered so many of my questions too. Regards.

[@natesenft5376]

What do I do if I dipped my prs private stock in naptha

[@gbfat]

Does it matter if your springs are straight or angled if you use 3 springs

[@pupu6oi74]

question: can you deck the trem?

[@Schuylock]

Yes.

[@jarredbaca8112]

My brand new CE 24 ain’t parallel :( the tremolo is angled with a heavy back drop and the front is higher than 1/16 inch spec. I’m bumming because I just put on new strings, did my neck relief perfectly and now I can’t lower my saddles enough to have appropriate action because this trem bridge is too high in the front smh. I’m guessing this is when I remove the strings and do those screws right? Or is there something else I’m overlooking like tightening the claw screws on the back? Someone please help me lol

[@Almonzo246]

The measure of 1/16'' is from the guitar top to the bottom of the bridge?

[@LeassOliver]

Hello , I have a Custom 22 from 1996. I have change de pickup rings . The original ones are flat, the ones that I bought (original PRS part) have an angle . Is there a problem to install angle ring pickups on a tremolo guitar ? Thank you

[@z3guitars]

Leandro Oliveira are they the new “universal” rings? With the recessed screws? Those were designed in between the old flats and old angles so that they can go on either stoptail or trem. So yes, you will be fine.

[@LeassOliver]

James Zimmers thank you for your support 🤟

[@bruunm1975]

Sadly my 2023 PRS Studio is a dog for tuning unlike my PRS SE EG and my 1991 Custom 24. I think people have played with the screws on trem and it’s terribly pitchy. Will try to align trem screws later today. Had nut replaced. Frets were not level. Sounds and (now) plays amazing. But yeah. Tuning is horendous.

[@siddharthchand3789]

Hey when I play open low E string and simultaneously bend any other (eg B or G) than the low E changes it pitch to D# or D depending upon the bend I do ,how can I fix this problem

[@scottmartin1875]

That's not a problem, that's physics. As long as the bridge can pivot, those notes are going to go out of tune. When you're doing a bend you are pulling the strings tight and causing the rear of the bridge to pivot upwards. This is the same action as doing a dive on the trem bar.

[@trap4990]

How do I block the term off so that goes only down way?

[@milliesdad8322]

What does it cost to change out the moon inlays on my PRS DGT for Bird Inlays?? Thanks guys!!

[@milliesdad8322]

@@0megalul309 I guess im just partial to birds, however the dots do give it a unique character!! Maybe I'll leave it alone...

[@z3guitars]

You can email [e-mail] for PTC and repair quotes.

[@vova.isaev.guitar]

Any tips on making screws parallel?

[@z3guitars]

Its all by eye. Easiest way is to look at it from the bass side and line up the bottom of the screw heads,

[@bescanocft]

is there a standard starting height you use when installing a tremolo bridge?

[@z3guitars]

I start by putting the bridge on the top and driving the screws until the bottom of the knife edge groove in the screw is even with the knife edge.

[@bescanocft]

@@z3guitars laying the bridge on the top, screwing in the screws, stopping when the indent on the screw lines up with knife edge of the plate?

[@bescanocft]

meaning, where the indent starts on the screw and not the center of the groove for the knife edge

[@z3guitars]

@@bescanocft exactly, the bottom edge of the indent starting point. So you can see the whole indent above the bridge.

[@bescanocft]

@@z3guitars would you advise to set the trem screw height 1st, trem springs (cardstock to protect top), install strings to tuning, adjust springs til bottom of plate is parallel with strings, adjust truss rod?

[@jerbear1601]

Looks like you wouldn't get any back action or pull up at all. When I set up my Strat I have the bridge floating and leaning forward slightly set to a note interval for up pull. When I get my Vegatrem it will then be level because it can go past the body route for up pull. Some folks like the down only trem but you are missing so much expression.

[@peteacip]

I’m thinking the screws aren’t even with each other, because as I use the Trem, I hear a clicking sound with the strings. Anyone have any thoughts?

[@MisterTee]

I hear your products are quite good

[@z3guitars]

There is a lot of care and appreciation for the guitar that goes into them through the whole team.