He didn't show the correct way to measure and get correct measurement with feeler gauge. I perceive a comment explaining in him not trying to prove anyone along I'm trying to stop people from learning things wrong.
Where I live it is hard to find people with the knowledge to calibrate your guitar well. So you have to DIY. Easy to understand. Extremely helpful. Thank you very much! Keep doing videos like this one
After each truss rod adjustment, I've always thought to tune back to pitch before checking the relief... then make additional adjustments as needed, while tuning to pitch after each adjustment, etc...
Personally, I like my guitars with the absolute *tiniest* bit of back bow. I don't know why, I just do. Maybe because it feels like the action is just a bit lower. You can follow the specs and the numbers all you want. Just remember at the end of the day, what feels best and sounds best is probably right for you. Trust your fingers and trust your ears.
If you don't have a thickness gauge, you can use a piece of cut-off .008"-.010" guitar string as your gauge. Epoxy a 1" length to a short piece of Popsicle stick and keep it with your guitar tools.
Regarding the pro tip in the video, for fret buzz at the 5th (some measure at the 7th, for Gibson/Epiphone) fret there is string bounce, there is relief, if the string is on the fret, the fret might/could be high, so there might be some relief there. But if the frets are level/fine, there is zero relief or backbow.
I have a quick question if it's possible for you to answer. I have adjusted the neck relief and intonation after putting 9-42s on my PRS CE 24 Semi-Hollow, but can't get the action on the low E lower than 2mm without lowering the bridge which I've heard is not recommended. The guitar is amazing, but I wish I could get the action just a little lower (only 0.5mm). If there is a way to adjust it would it be possible to describe how to do it? This is the best guitar I've ever owned and I don't want to do anything that could ruin it. Thank you :)
I don't have this metal ruler for "fine measuring"... So how do i measure the relief by eye or what can i use to check the distance between the big E string and the 8th fret? I have no idea what is "0.012"" and those kind of metrics... I know how to adjust stratocasters/gibson's truss-rod (the distance of the string on 8th is "almost touching"/"touch by a hair"/"the diameter of an B string"/"the thickness of a daddario strings package paper" etc. PRS is the same relief or is bigger / smaller than stratos? Thanks.
A really nice demo. I like how he described _pulling_ the rod back in order to pull the neck _back_. (Ha. I always "think too hard" with the righty-tighty rule etc because I inevitably worry which direction I'm actually viewing the rod from. Yup. Duh. Sad but true. LOL!) That said, I do wish he had gone into working with the "double-action" aspect of the truss rod. I was specifically looking to see that addressed. Doesn't that make some kind of difference?
i think he did go into that? basically instead of having a truss rod that can only "really" do one action, this can do two when turned either way. ie, in the old days, you turned it tighter as one action, while loosening just "let up" on the grip, rather than physically moved it the other way like it does now. make sense?
That method for remembering which way to turn the truss rod is helpful especially bc just saying "clockwise/counter clockwise" always confused me. There's different points of view; like regular playing position vs having it on a work bench and looking down the neck, it always confused me. Now I realize the rod itself faces out at the top and from that perspective its easy to understand which way to turn, but once the Allen key is involved and ur looking at it turn, it's gets weird. From my perspective (playing position) I'm turning it (the key) counter clockwise but the truss rod is actually turning clockwise. Does any of that make sense?
I bought a used SE Standard 24 that didn't come with a 7mm wrench. Is there anyway customer service could send me a kit for a fee, or is there a recommended alternative to the one PRS provides? Some of the ones sold on Amazon don't fit the cavity.
I'm in the same boat. Went and bought the MusicNomad stuff explicitly for this only to find out that the socket won't fit in the cavity of my Fredrik Akesson model. Super bummed.
0:44 - single, brass, pre-'92 1:10 - dual, black, post-'92 1:42 - Front bow or back bow? 2:04 Tools 1. #1 Phillips screw driver for cover 2. 6-inch machinists ruler (32nds / 64ths) 3. Set of feeler gauges (check relief at 8th fret) 4. Wrenches (depends on guitar) a. (5/16 hex socket for private stock core, s2 and CE b. 7mm hex for SE's c. 4mm hex wrench for acoustics 5. Capo
I read about .002"-.003" difference between low e and high e string when measuring this. There seems to be less relief under high e to be precise. Should I aim for .007" under high or low e string? It seems that under low e improves tension and sustain but then my high e gets a bit of buzz. If I measure under high e I seem to lose sustain on low side... Whats the fix for that?
after adjusting the rod 1/4 or 1/8th of a turn at a time... do we need to wait for an hour or so to let the truss rod adjust into the new setting before making the next turn??
My wrench won't go into the headstock without a lot of effort, it catches on the rounded corners of the hole. Should I grind the wrench shorter so it will actually fit or is there something wrong with the instrument?
Hi Alan, thanks for reaching out. Is the wrench the one that came with the case candy? We'd like to know a little more about the issues you are having before we recommend that you make any modifications. Give our Customer Service team a call at (410) 643-9970, or send us an email at custserv@prsguitars.com. Take some photos, let us know which model guitar you have, and in as much detail as possible explain the issue. Many thanks! - PRS Customer Service
Great video. Very well explained. Would be nice to see the factory recommendation specs for action, specially for the SE Baritones (Mike Mushok SE, SE 277).
Hi Felipe, thanks for reaching out. The Mike Mushok and the SE 277 use the same recommended setup specs as our other SE electric models. The only difference is that we set the string height slightly higher at the nut to compensate for the larger string guage. Hope that helps and thanks for watching. Be sure to look for more videos like this to come out in the near future.
@@prsguitars Thanks for the reply. I'll definetely keep an eye out for new videos. If I may I'd like to make a few suggestions, like maybe you guys could create local teams to expand the PTC so non US resident PRS owners and enthusiasts could benefit from the superb work you guys do over there making great instruments even better and the second would be maybe consider developing a locking tuner system for the SE models (I installed some lovely Phase II locking tuners with Ebony buttons on my Mushok SE but had to drill the holes due to the different screw placement on the tuners... The SE Paul's guitar's the only SE with American type tuners isn't it?) Thanks once again
Hi Skitchy, would you also recommend 0.007” relief for lower tunings? For example a dropped C tuning with 52-10 gauges? The low C string tends to move a little more than in standard tuning.
Yes. This relief works fine as long as you also adjust your string gauges for the low tunings. If you just tune down, your strings may just be too floppy.
i didn't really understand which direction i should pull the wrench, other places say that you should pull it counter clockwise if you have a front bow , however here it kinda says the opposite , if you pull it towards you when the guitar is that in the position depicted in the video the trust rod should go clockwise
Gabie Dubin yes I think it is opposite of other guitars. I was confused also. But I tried this on my PRS and that’s how it worked. Counter clockwise for more relief.
Great video! Thanks so much! Can you guys make a comprehensive video for what setup procedures to take when changing string gauges (e.g., 10s to 9s, etc) on a CE24? I checked the PRS site, but the directions listed were a little vague. :) Subscribed!
Should strings on PRS bass be loosened slightly before adjusting rod? Adjusting tool will not fit or turn unless the 2 strings closest to nut are unwound a little.
Not at all, as long as you use the proper size, the one provided with the instrument is your best choice, by watching these videos saved me $75.00 to $90.00 for a setup!
Best way and imo only way to neck relief is with a straight edge not with a guitar string. Lay straight edge on neck in the middle between the C and G string then use feeler gauge at 7th fret. Not sure why anyone would do a neck set up the way shown here its not an accurate measurement. I have to really hard time believing Paul Reed Smith uses this method because like I've said its not accurate.
I dont understand why you make is so much talking and so much comlicated. Just say if the turn tu right will make the neck bow closer to the string and turn left opposite...
Could they have possibly found a weirder looking spokesperson? And could they have made his descriptions of bowing the neck more confusing? Total fail.
I'm not sure what you're talking about. What the guy looks like has nothing to do with the directions or explanation, which was not confusing in the slightest. In fact, I'd say he explained it quite well and provided a lot of useful information in a short amount of time.
Finally, someone explained front and back-bow properly, and in a matter of seconds!
He didn't show the correct way to measure and get correct measurement with feeler gauge. I perceive a comment explaining in him not trying to prove anyone along I'm trying to stop people from learning things wrong.
I agree, the concept is correct. The feeler gauge should not push the string up according to which tolerance you're going for....?
Where I live it is hard to find people with the knowledge to calibrate your guitar well. So you have to DIY.
Easy to understand. Extremely helpful.
Thank you very much!
Keep doing videos like this one
The bounce from the 5th fret on my guitar threw me across the room
Phew! We hope your alright... Now, pick yourself up and fix it!
That is really funny 😂
I finally got it all, all in one video ! This is very well explained, thanks a lot.
Glad to help, J-C C.
Vive PRS, la meilleure marque de guitare au monde. Dommage que vous ne soyez pas plus présent en France !!!
Merci pour l'amour!
@@prsguitars I love all my PRS ! And your PTC is the best too ! You are doing a great job, continue with all my friendship !
Thanks for showing us how it's done, was able to adjust my SCJ with confidence!
I have been looking a video like this for a while since I switched strings to custom 11s. Very precious. Thanks.
Interesting 0.007 Always is the relief i use for years
Well said Mr. Skitchy
Great informative video and thank you PRS
After each truss rod adjustment, I've always thought to tune back to pitch before checking the relief... then make additional adjustments as needed, while tuning to pitch after each adjustment, etc...
Personally, I like my guitars with the absolute *tiniest* bit of back bow. I don't know why, I just do. Maybe because it feels like the action is just a bit lower. You can follow the specs and the numbers all you want. Just remember at the end of the day, what feels best and sounds best is probably right for you. Trust your fingers and trust your ears.
I agree
PRS are the best!!!
Thank you Skitchy!!! I really enjoy your tutorials, they are always easy to follow!
If you don't have a thickness gauge, you can use a piece of cut-off .008"-.010" guitar string as your gauge. Epoxy a 1" length to a short piece of Popsicle stick and keep it with your guitar tools.
Great demo! Nice and short, has all of the information needed.
Regarding the pro tip in the video, for fret buzz at the 5th (some measure at the 7th, for Gibson/Epiphone) fret there is string bounce, there is relief, if the string is on the fret, the fret might/could be high, so there might be some relief there. But if the frets are level/fine, there is zero relief or backbow.
Nice job, Skitchy!!
I have a quick question if it's possible for you to answer. I have adjusted the neck relief and intonation after putting 9-42s on my PRS CE 24 Semi-Hollow, but can't get the action on the low E lower than 2mm without lowering the bridge which I've heard is not recommended. The guitar is amazing, but I wish I could get the action just a little lower (only 0.5mm). If there is a way to adjust it would it be possible to describe how to do it? This is the best guitar I've ever owned and I don't want to do anything that could ruin it. Thank you :)
That original 1980 west street guitar looks wicked and sweet and rhe same time.
Nice Job James, miss you guys been too long! Keep the great videos coming!
Great, just what I was looking for 😊
I don't have this metal ruler for "fine measuring"... So how do i measure the relief by eye or what can i use to check the distance between the big E string and the 8th fret? I have no idea what is "0.012"" and those kind of metrics... I know how to adjust stratocasters/gibson's truss-rod (the distance of the string on 8th is "almost touching"/"touch by a hair"/"the diameter of an B string"/"the thickness of a daddario strings package paper" etc. PRS is the same relief or is bigger / smaller than stratos? Thanks.
I need a close up of the actual truss rod so I know where to put the hex wrench. Still have no idea how to do it on a silver sky.
Great info...thanks!
Thanks Skitchy
Appreciate this.
Thank you, very good information.
Thanks Skitchy!
Very educational video!
Great video!
I love truss rods.
A really nice demo. I like how he described _pulling_ the rod back in order to pull the neck _back_. (Ha. I always "think too hard" with the righty-tighty rule etc because I inevitably worry which direction I'm actually viewing the rod from. Yup. Duh. Sad but true. LOL!)
That said, I do wish he had gone into working with the "double-action" aspect of the truss rod. I was specifically looking to see that addressed. Doesn't that make some kind of difference?
i think he did go into that? basically instead of having a truss rod that can only "really" do one action, this can do two when turned either way. ie, in the old days, you turned it tighter as one action, while loosening just "let up" on the grip, rather than physically moved it the other way like it does now. make sense?
That method for remembering which way to turn the truss rod is helpful especially bc just saying "clockwise/counter clockwise" always confused me. There's different points of view; like regular playing position vs having it on a work bench and looking down the neck, it always confused me. Now I realize the rod itself faces out at the top and from that perspective its easy to understand which way to turn, but once the Allen key is involved and ur looking at it turn, it's gets weird. From my perspective (playing position) I'm turning it (the key) counter clockwise but the truss rod is actually turning clockwise. Does any of that make sense?
Thanks for the lesson!
Is it the same direction for the Lefty models? I assume it is but would still like to check!
I bought a used SE Standard 24 that didn't come with a 7mm wrench. Is there anyway customer service could send me a kit for a fee, or is there a recommended alternative to the one PRS provides? Some of the ones sold on Amazon don't fit the cavity.
I'm in the same boat. Went and bought the MusicNomad stuff explicitly for this only to find out that the socket won't fit in the cavity of my Fredrik Akesson model. Super bummed.
Thanks to this video. I fixed my fret buzz... I have a older brass nut PRS serial number 3 15963. Do you know what year that was made?
0:44 - single, brass, pre-'92
1:10 - dual, black, post-'92
1:42 - Front bow or back bow?
2:04 Tools
1. #1 Phillips screw driver for cover
2. 6-inch machinists ruler (32nds / 64ths)
3. Set of feeler gauges (check relief at 8th fret)
4. Wrenches (depends on guitar)
a. (5/16 hex socket for private stock core, s2 and CE
b. 7mm hex for SE's
c. 4mm hex wrench for acoustics
5. Capo
Can someone tell me which feeler gauge and machinist ruler is it ? And where I can purchase it?... It's so hard to find it!. Thanks you
I read about .002"-.003" difference between low e and high e string when measuring this.
There seems to be less relief under high e to be precise.
Should I aim for .007" under high or low e string?
It seems that under low e improves tension and sustain but then my high e gets a bit of buzz.
If I measure under high e I seem to lose sustain on low side...
Whats the fix for that?
after adjusting the rod 1/4 or 1/8th of a turn at a time... do we need to wait for an hour or so to let the truss rod adjust into the new setting before making the next turn??
Nope. The PRS truss rod acts quite quickly and precisely. You’ll be able to see the change right away.
My wrench won't go into the headstock without a lot of effort, it catches on the rounded corners of the hole. Should I grind the wrench shorter so it will actually fit or is there something wrong with the instrument?
Hi Alan, thanks for reaching out. Is the wrench the one that came with the case candy? We'd like to know a little more about the issues you are having before we recommend that you make any modifications. Give our Customer Service team a call at (410) 643-9970, or send us an email at custserv@prsguitars.com. Take some photos, let us know which model guitar you have, and in as much detail as possible explain the issue. Many thanks! - PRS Customer Service
What does it mean when the twenty forty and the fifth is ok but in between its high,which way do I turn it please.
Do I need to slacken the strings before turning in either directions?
Great video. Very well explained. Would be nice to see the factory recommendation specs for action, specially for the SE Baritones (Mike Mushok SE, SE 277).
Hi Felipe, thanks for reaching out. The Mike Mushok and the SE 277 use the same recommended setup specs as our other SE electric models. The only difference is that we set the string height slightly higher at the nut to compensate for the larger string guage. Hope that helps and thanks for watching. Be sure to look for more videos like this to come out in the near future.
@@prsguitars Thanks for the reply. I'll definetely keep an eye out for new videos. If I may I'd like to make a few suggestions, like maybe you guys could create local teams to expand the PTC so non US resident PRS owners and enthusiasts could benefit from the superb work you guys do over there making great instruments even better and the second would be maybe consider developing a locking tuner system for the SE models (I installed some lovely Phase II locking tuners with Ebony buttons on my Mushok SE but had to drill the holes due to the different screw placement on the tuners... The SE Paul's guitar's the only SE with American type tuners isn't it?) Thanks once again
@@prsguitars What does slightly higher mean? 1/64th? 1/32nd? An actual spec would be most appreciated.
Hi Skitchy, would you also recommend 0.007” relief for lower tunings? For example a dropped C tuning with 52-10 gauges? The low C string tends to move a little more than in standard tuning.
Yes. This relief works fine as long as you also adjust your string gauges for the low tunings. If you just tune down, your strings may just be too floppy.
i didn't really understand which direction i should pull the wrench, other places say that you should pull it counter clockwise if you have a front bow , however here it kinda says the opposite , if you pull it towards you when the guitar is that in the position depicted in the video the trust rod should go clockwise
Gabie Dubin yes I think it is opposite of other guitars. I was confused also. But I tried this on my PRS and that’s how it worked. Counter clockwise for more relief.
This depends on the brand. In my experience most guitars are counter clockwise for backbow.
This was very helpful! Thank you. any tips for the action or Trem?
Great video! Thanks so much! Can you guys make a comprehensive video for what setup procedures to take when changing string gauges (e.g., 10s to 9s, etc) on a CE24? I checked the PRS site, but the directions listed were a little vague. :) Subscribed!
Thank you ;)
how do i make complicated truss rod adjustments?
What is the truss rod size for PRS SE P20E, parlor acoustic?
I have a Korean Custom 22 SE from 2008, and the 7mm wrench doesn't feet
Should strings on PRS bass be loosened slightly before adjusting rod? Adjusting tool will not fit or turn unless the 2 strings closest to nut are unwound a little.
No need to loosen them. You can always just pop the 2 middle strings out of the nut, but I don't do that while adjusting.
great
Buzzing location indicates frontbow, test indicates backbow... fml (TremontiSE)
Do yourself a favor and get a notched straight edge it makes doing this a lot easier and you can see exactly what the neck looks like at every fret
That's what I use.
7mm doesn't fit my PRS-SE Santana. Any idea?
Have you figured anything out. I’m in the exact same boat and got a gig in three days. Thank you
Se guitars utilize a difference size prs tool than s2-core models. Your local music shop should have one
multiple climates; crafted with the intent to go on tour with
PRS Korea SE Rod Wrench is 7mm ???
Adjusting the truss rod when the strings are up to pitch is certainly faster. But it may damage or strip the rod.
Not at all, as long as you use the proper size, the one provided with the instrument is your best choice, by watching these videos saved me $75.00 to $90.00 for a setup!
Why not get a StewMac action gauge?
my fret buzz is worst fret 11-16
Where can I buy a wrench like that
Just buy a PRS guitar, then you get the wrench and a free guitar! :)
Amazon truss rod wrench 7mm electric
Uggg my prs sounds so terrible and I don’t have any of these tools except for a Philips head and a capo ig I’m sticking to my fender strat
👌🏿
Fixed the buzz but action is too high
Best way and imo only way to neck relief is with a straight edge not with a guitar string. Lay straight edge on neck in the middle between the C and G string then use feeler gauge at 7th fret. Not sure why anyone would do a neck set up the way shown here its not an accurate measurement. I have to really hard time believing Paul Reed Smith uses this method because like I've said its not accurate.
not that simple.. is a Hell kind of work .. !!!
Not helpful. Make a Details vedio.
I dont understand why you make is so much talking and so much comlicated. Just say if the turn tu right will make the neck bow closer to the string and turn left opposite...
Could they have possibly found a weirder looking spokesperson? And could they have made his descriptions of bowing the neck more confusing? Total fail.
I'm not sure what you're talking about. What the guy looks like has nothing to do with the directions or explanation, which was not confusing in the slightest. In fact, I'd say he explained it quite well and provided a lot of useful information in a short amount of time.
What are the specs for acoustic action height?