Your PRS arrives fully setup from the factory. However, to change tuning or string gauges, you’ll want to ensure that your guitar is setup properly for the best performance.
If you are unfamiliar with this type of maintenance, we recommend seeking assistance from a trained guitar technician.
Tools You’ll Need
- String winder (optional)
- Wire cutters
- Tuner
- Capo
- Phillips or flathead head screwdriver
- Small Allen/hex wrenches (most PRS use 1/16" and 5/64")
- Ruler (in 1/64" increments)
- If you have a bone nut, lubricant
- PRS synthetic nuts are self-lubricating, but may also benefit from lubricating on Tremolo-equipped models
- Feeler gauges
Know your guitar’s specs before you begin:
- Our string gauge specs: String Gauge Specifications – PRS Guitars
- Neck relief spec: .005" to .010" (.3/64” to .6/64”) for all PRS guitars
- Our string action specs: Factory Setup Specifications – PRS Guitars
1. Remove Old Strings and Clean the Guitar
Caution: if your guitar is finished in nitrocellulose lacquer, you should only use nitro-safe guitar cleaner.
- Loosen and remove the strings.
- Clean the fretboard (lemon oil for rosewood; guitar cleaner for maple).
- Wipe down the body and hardware with nitro-safe guitar cleaner.
- If you have a bone nut, lubricate nut slots lightly. (PRS synthetic nuts are self-lubricating, but may also benefit from lubricating on Tremolo-equipped models)
Beware of “bridge bite,” or damage caused to the finish by allowing the tremolo to fall onto the top as string tension is released. A piece of cardstock or thin cardboard may be placed beneath the bridge to protect your guitar’s top finish from the tremolo.
An informational video on bridge bite can be found here: Bridge Bite
2. Install New Strings
Our string gauge specs: String Gauge Specifications – PRS Guitars
We recommend keeping your PRS on its factory specification string gauges, since the setup specifications and string nuts are for the specified gauges.
PRS offers a variety of tuner styles. For more information on how to restring your PRS with non-locking, locking, or wing-locking tuners, you can find instructional videos at the following link: Adjustments & Restringing – PRS Guitars
When installing new strings, take the following actions:
- Ensure strings are correctly seated in the saddle slots.
- When tuning, always tune up to pitch to maintain tuning stability.
- Stretch your strings thoroughly.
New, unstretched strings will cause your guitar to go out of tune quickly. Bend and retune until the strings hold their pitch.
3. Adjust the Neck Relief
Our relief specs: Relief should measure .005" to .010" (.3/64” to .6/64”)
Neck relief informs you how much the neck has bowed. Because wood is a natural material, your guitar’s neck will bow over time, with the intensity based on temperature and humidity.
How to Check Relief
- Tune the guitar.
- Put a capo on the 1st fret.
- Hold down the string at the last fret.
- Measure the gap with your feeler gauges at the 8th fret.
Adjusting the Truss Rod
- Remove the truss rod cover on the headstock and place the truss rod wrench over the adjustment nut.
- Reducing relief: turn clockwise (straightens forward-bowed neck).
- Increasing relief: turn counterclockwise (straightens back-bowed neck).
- Move in ⅛-turn increments, retune, and recheck.
- Do not over-adjust!
For more details and our instructional video, visit the following link: Adjusting Neck Relief – PRS Guitars
4. Set the String Action
Our string action specs: Adjustments & Restringing – PRS Guitars
PRS string action is measured at the 1st and 12th frets.
How to Adjust
-
PRS Tremolo, Hardtail, Silver Sky, Plate Bridges: use the small hex wrench on the saddle height screws, manually setting each saddle.
- The knife-edge mounting screws may also be adjusted to raise or lower a tremolo bridge.
- 2-piece Stoptail: use the brass thumbwheels to raise or lower the bridge.
- Adjustable and Wraparound Stoptail: use a coin or large flathead screwdriver to raise or lower the bridge studs.
Adjust with caution to avoid stripping or marring the screws/studs. Retune the instrument, then check for buzzing and playability.
A video tutorial can be found here: Adjusting Your Action | Tips From The Tech Center | PRS Guitars
5. Set the Bridge Angle (For Tremolo-equipped Models)
Most PRS tremolos are designed to sit parallel to the top of the guitar.
Check the Angle
- Look at the bridge plate from the side; the bridge's bottom should be level to the body.
- The tremolo bridge should measure 1/16” from the top of the body to the bottom of the tremolo.
- Some PRS models, such as the Fiore, may be setup so that the back of the bridge floats up at an angle.
Adjust the Tremolo Spring Claw
This can be accessed by removing the center backplate on your guitar. Make small adjustments and retune after every quarter-turn.
- Lowering the angle: tighten the screws to pull the tremolo back, retuning after every adjustment.
- Raising the angle: loosen the screws to let tremolo float, retuning after every adjustment.
A video tutorial can be found here: What does it mean to have a Parallel Tremolo Bridge? | Tips From The Tech
6. Adjust Intonation
Proper intonation ensures the guitar plays in tune across the neck.
- Tune the string open.
- Play the 12th-fret harmonic and the fretted 12th note.
- If the fretted note is:
- Sharp, lengthen the string (move saddle or bridge back).
- Flat, shorten the string (move saddle or bridge forward).
Some PRS bridges have adjustable saddles. Adjust with care, as brass intonation screws may be damaged by forceful adjustments.
For more information and an instructional video on intonating, see the following article: Adjusting Intonation – PRS Guitars
7. Pickup Height Adjustment
For specifications, additional details, and the instructional video, visit the following link: Pickup Height Specifications and Adjustment – PRS Guitars
If your pickup is:
- Too close to the strings, it will sound harsh or boomy.
- Too far from the strings, it will have a weak or low output.
Adjust using the side-mount screws. The individual pole pieces of the pickups come preset from the factory.
8. Check the Nut and Tuning Stability
PRS nuts are cut to spec, but you can optimize by taking the following steps:
- Ensure strings glide freely by pulling them through the slots.
- There should be no catching.
- Add a tiny bit of lubricant to each slot.
- Stretch strings: pull upward gently along their length.
- Retune until stable.
If tuning issues persist on tremolo models, confirm:
- The bridge is level
- Strings are properly seated
- Nut slots are smooth and appropriately sized
- The knife-edge screws are aligned with the mounting holes
9. Final Play Test
Go through some normal playing:
- Bend notes (especially on trem models)
- Play chords up and down the neck
- Test that the tremolo returns to pitch
Fine-tune action, intonation, and pickups as needed.