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My band, Red For Dissent
So assume it is all in tune in the first place
Is the issue when you raise the trem and/or lower the trem
Do the strings go sharp or flat
Is it all the strings or just one or two going out
What gauge strings do you use
Assume the trem is slightly floating - one pic will be handy to see so we can see the gap between the trem assembly and the body
Is it a full blown USA model, S2 or SE
Is it going out after just a slight tweak on the arm for light vibrato - Or heavy de-tune (dive bomb approach)
Age of the guitar - the knife edge fulcrum points can wear out - Or indeed if adjusted incorrectly can cause issues - Yet hard to actually see the fault - But some of your answers above might help identify such issues
The trem is floating and I'm using 9-46 gauge D'addarrios. I swapped strings out to rule out the NYXLs I'd recently converted to, and gone back to normal XLs. Still no joy...
Going out of tune randomly and by small amounts - sometimes flat, sometimes sharp, and regardless of whether its a gentle shimmer or flat out dive bomb. I never expect to return to perfect tuning from any trem equipped guitar, but this one is so sensitive it leads me to think something is wrong (perhaps with the knife edge points as being suggested).
It's a core USA model, from 2008 I believe.
https://imgur.com/A6klMys
https://imgur.com/mnt1aXD
https://imgur.com/q9KHQko
Yours looks as if EITHER somebody had changed from 009-042 to 010-048 without resetting the spring tension to counterbalance the additional string tension OR the guitar had been set up for dropped tuning then, returned to Standard tuning without resetting the spring tension to counterbalance the additional string tension.
Either way, you first port of call is the vibrato tension springs and "claw" adjuster.
Try this and then re-evaluate
Can't deduct any other issues on the other 3 pics
Not sure how old your PRS is and what changes to the set-up have being undertaken over time - PRS use to set-up with 9-42 but now it is 10-46
3 springs should be fine on a PRS
If you have adjusted them, you may need to make certain that they're lined up correctly. You can do this by first setting the out two screws to the height you want, and then very carefully turning the middle four back and forth gently - you should be able to feel the 'free' point. Do this with the strings detuned but not fully off.
If you have three springs on, make sure they're on straight and not in a 'fan'. PRSs tend to set up better with four springs than three though, even with only 9s or 10s - the trem cavity is slightly shorter than a Fender.
You should be able to fix this yourself whatever the cause is - don't even consider couriering a guitar of this value anywhere unless there's no alternative.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
It's difficult to find time at the moment to fix the problem myself, to be honest. I'm happy to courier it anywhere because as it is stands it isn't of any use to me and I wouldn't sell it on if it has a known issue.
Guitar dates from 2008, and I have little idea of its history as I bought it from a mate who'd bought it from a mate etc
Yes the angle of the bridge - On a PRS they are designed so the base plate of the trem assembly runs on the same parallel line of the strings - So imagine the strings run past the actual trem towards the strap button - So look side on to see this - I actually set them up more with the trem plate running parallel to the body - Either way, you won't get a tone + half up pitch - One reason on the PRS Tremonti Mk2 they offered a recess around the trem for more uplift - But on a DGT, Custom 22/24 you won't get one + half up pitch - Sorry, I said on an earlier post to 'undo' the 2 big wood screws on the trem claw - I meant to say tighten, so clockwise turn - 1 turn should be enough - re-tune + check how the trem base plate now runs to that parallel string line - If still out a touch then a 1/2 turn should be fine next time
As @ICBM states - make no change to the 6 fulcrum points when the strings are at pitch - detune by a big margin, to no tension, before making such adjustments to those fulcrum point screws - Okay to adjust the 2 wood screws in the trem cavity when strings are at pitch
Can you recommend a tech who could likely solve this issue?
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Tune up as normal and leave the trem alone for now - Press gently on the string behind the top nut - Only needs to be enough to raise the pitch a touch - Now check the tuning - Do this on all strings one by one - If it goes out, on one, more or all strings it will hi-light the top nut as the issue
Rob Williams is somewhere in your neck of the woods for guitar repairs - https://robwilliamsguitars.co.uk/contact/