To mod or not to mod!

[ravana]

I'm a horribly indecisive person, help me make a decision, PRS community!

I few months back I got a PRS SE Custom 24 which I do absolutely love. However, I'd be down to make a few changes like upgrade the pickups and tuners. I imagine I'd be putting ~$200 in it.

On the other hand I am also saving up for an American PRS which I hope to get in 2 years (saving up slowly as well as leaving myself the time to become a better player to deserve such a nice guitar)

So which is it. Upgrade or put that $200 in the piggy bank! What would you do?

Thanks,
Rav.

[Danerada]

Are you having tuning issues? Are the pickups not to your liking? If the answer is no, I would sock it away.

[ravana]

The tuning is kind-of annoying but I'm no where near professional (or good for that matter) so re-tuning every few days isn't a must. Pickups are in the same category, can't say I like them nor hate them. Kind-of wish the bridge pick-up could to heavier genres of music better but it's not like I'm playing for anyone....

Hmm, maybe I just answered my own question, I'll probably just make a few cosmetic changes and then leave the rest of the guitar stock...

[jfb]

I have never changed anything out on a guitar except strings.

[garrett]

I wouldn't upgrade just for the sake of it. Some of the things might not bring much value to you. Get to know the instrument well and discover what you feel are its deficiencies. Then you can upgrade those things to make it more suitable to you.

[John Beef]

IMHO, SE tuners are fine. Mine hold tune fine. This has been discussed here quite a bit, namely if you think you're having tuning stability issues, the nut is likely the culprit unless you have really old strings. Also, I've said it a bunch of times before, but if you're comfortable doing your own pickup swaps, you should also be comfortable doing magnet swaps which are easier and take less time. An unoriented alnico 5 magnet will reduce the nasal congestion in the bridge pickup quite a bit and costs around $3 (I like the neck pickup as-is).

[andy474x]

IMHO, SE tuners are fine. Mine hold tune fine. This has been discussed here quite a bit, namely if you think you're having tuning stability issues, the nut is likely the culprit unless you have really old strings.

Major +1.

I was using the Rene Martinez GraphitAll lube on the nut of my SECU24, and it worked ok but not ideally. Then, just for kicks the other day, I grabbed the lubricating oil for my handpiece (aka dental drill, get your mind out of the gutter) and tried it, and it really worked nicely. Tuning stayed in an acceptable range even with heavy trem use. I don't know what a commercially available equivalent to dental handpiece oil would be, but I'm sure there's something. It's a thin clear oil, maybe silicone based.

[Victek]

Also, I've said it a bunch of times before, but if you're comfortable doing your own pickup swaps, you should also be comfortable doing magnet swaps which are easier and take less time. An unoriented alnico 5 magnet will reduce the nasal congestion in the bridge pickup quite a bit and costs around $3 (I like the neck pickup as-is).

Is there a tutorial describing how to swap out a pickup magnet? Can you link to a source for un-oriented alnico 5 magnets? And while I understand nasal congestion really well what exactly does it mean when applied to pickups?

[maxtuna26]

Is there a tutorial describing how to swap out a pickup magnet? Can you link to a source for un-oriented alnico 5 magnets? And while I understand nasal congestion really well what exactly does it mean when applied to pickups?

it's pretty easy actually, just take out your pickup, (for the stock pickups) unwrap the cloth tape, just the first layer, don't pull out the rubber tape. Then unscrew the baseplate just a few turns, no need to take it off. from the side which you can see the wires that connect the coils in series, the magnet will be visible from there probably. just use your screwdriver (preferably "negative" head one) to push the magnet out. watch for the wire and make sure you dont cut it or else it'll be pretty troublesome. first attempt to push the magnet out may require some force if your pickup is potted, the magnet's probably kept in place by wax. once you get the magnet out you're free to swap in any mags that are of the similar width. make sure you put it in the right way in, either you want it to be in-phase or out-of-phase.

[John Beef]

Is there a tutorial describing how to swap out a pickup magnet? Can you link to a source for un-oriented alnico 5 magnets? And while I understand nasal congestion really well what exactly does it mean when applied to pickups?

I got mine from this guy on ebay.

Maxtuna described a method that also works. But this is how I do it. Either way will be fine.

[Victek]

I got mine from this guy on ebay. Maxtuna described a method that also works. But this is how I do it. Either way will be fine.

Thanks for the info. Regarding swapping the magnets to clear up the "nasal congestion" do you happen to have any before and after recordings of the sound? It would be interesting to hear the difference.

[John Beef]

Thanks for the info. Regarding swapping the magnets to clear up the "nasal congestion" do you happen to have any before and after recordings of the sound? It would be interesting to hear the difference.

Ugh, dangit. I used to have one online. It was in a folder on our band's website. Recently, we did not renew with our web hosting provider and instead just redirected our domain name to our BandCamp page. It was hardly worth $9 per month for single digit hits when our bandcamp and facebook pages were getting all the traffic. So, the MP3 I put together comparing the two isn't there any more. I will have to hunt for it.

[maxtuna26]

My SE tuners are not very good from day one when i got it, the D-string tuner feels scratchy and flimsy, but it works! The worst part of it was, all the guitar shops in my place never stocked on tuners that doesn't come from China. Pretty hard to get replacements. So I left them on. I suggest just upgrade the pickups according to your taste, then it'd be the only guitar you ever hoped in your life.

[Mikegarveyblues]

As others have said, don't upgrade purely for the sake of it.

Worthwhile upgrading the nut. I've upgraded to Graphtech Tusq nuts on my SE's and Strat and i've not felt the need to upgrade the tuners. I may... May put locking tuners on my SE C24 but i'm going to hold off on that for a bit.

Changing pups can be hit and miss. Until they're in the guitar you're never really going to know if they work out. I had that issue when I swapped out the stock SE245 pups in my Bernie. i got the neck right with a BKP Mule but the bridge wasn't what I wanted (Neither was the stock pup). I got closer with a Suhr pup but it's still not quite what i'm after. That's worked out as quite expensive experimentation.

It's up to you but personally i'd swap the nut and then live with the guitar for a while and get a feel of what's lacking and what can be improved.

[Danerada]

Changing pups can be hit and miss. Until they're in the guitar you're never really going to know if they work out. I had that issue when I swapped out the stock SE245 pups in my Bernie. i got the neck right with a BKP Mule but the bridge wasn't what I wanted (Neither was the stock pup). I got closer with a Suhr pup but it's still not quite what i'm after. That's worked out as quite expensive experimentation.

.

Mike - if you can find a 53/10 for your bridge in the Bernie you will NOT be disappointed!!!!!

[Mikegarveyblues]

Mike - if you can find a 53/10 for your bridge in the Bernie you will NOT be disappointed!!!!!

Cheers Dane, i'll keep an eye out. Have a feeling they're like gold dust though!

[Mikegarveyblues]

I should add...

Once you're convinced the nut / strings are at the right height then dab a couple of small beads of superglue onto the bottom of the nut. Put into place and press down firmly. Once set string her back up and you're good to go.

[Victek]

I should add... Once you're convinced the nut / strings are at the right height then dab a couple of small beads of superglue onto the bottom of the nut. Put into place and press down firmly. Once set string her back up and you're good to go.

Thanks for all that info and great screenshots - much appreciated!

[maxtuna26]

As others have said, don't upgrade purely for the sake of it.

Worthwhile upgrading the nut. I've upgraded to Graphtech Tusq nuts on my SE's and Strat and i've not felt the need to upgrade the tuners. I may... May put locking tuners on my SE C24 but i'm going to hold off on that for a bit.

Changing pups can be hit and miss. Until they're in the guitar you're never really going to know if they work out. I had that issue when I swapped out the stock SE245 pups in my Bernie. i got the neck right with a BKP Mule but the bridge wasn't what I wanted (Neither was the stock pup). I got closer with a Suhr pup but it's still not quite what i'm after. That's worked out as quite expensive experimentation.

It's up to you but personally i'd swap the nut and then live with the guitar for a while and get a feel of what's lacking and what can be improved.

i, too, definitely needed a nut swap. I've been spending hours trying to cure the G-string binding in the slot. I've tried graphite lubing, sanding it, but still couldn't get it done. I'm considering TUSQ nuts, but the jungle that i live in, doesn't stock on them (not even bone or corian nuts) at all. I did change out the pickups, and was quite satisfied with the results though, after hearing various soundclips. The cheapest way to change your tone would be magnet swap, i've heard many other people suggest doing this.

[Victek]

Worthwhile upgrading the nut. I've upgraded to Graphtech Tusq nuts on my SE's and Strat and i've not felt the need to upgrade the tuners. I may... May put locking tuners on my SE C24 but i'm going to hold off on that for a bit.

Is upgrading the nut a DIY or do you need it done by a tech? And is this the right part?

GRAPH TECH BLACK TUSQ XL SLOTTED NUT PRS® SE GUITAR 43X6mm PT-6643-00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GRAPH-TECH-B...item4d0aa1ce83

Regarding locking tuners, it looks like these are a "drop in" for the SE - is that correct and are there any other models recommended?

http://www.amazon.com/Grover-406C-Ro.../dp/B0007Y3XGW