PRS Setup: What Makes It Different

A proper PRS setup follows the same physics as any electric guitar: relief, action, intonation. But PRS guitars have quirks that generic setup advice gets wrong. The tremolo is designed to float parallel to the body, not decked and not kicked up like a vintage Strat. The truss rod wrench changes between Core and SE models. And the humbucker heights are uniform across positions instead of graduated.

This guide covers the most popular PRS lines: Custom 24 and Custom 22 (Core, S2, SE), McCarty and McCarty 594, CE 24, Silver Sky, and the SE import line generally. Whether you just used our PRS Serial Number Lookup to date your guitar or you want to fix a trem that will not stay in tune, these specs will get you there.

Quick Answer: A typical PRS setup targets 0.010" (0.25 mm) neck relief at the 8th fret, 1.5 mm high E and 1.8 mm low E action at the 12th fret, a trem floating parallel to the body with a 1/16" (1.6 mm) gap, and humbuckers set to 2.8 mm bass side and 2.0 mm treble side with the strings fretted at the last fret. The Silver Sky runs slightly more relief (0.010"–0.012") and graduated single-coil heights.

Want every spec on one printable card? The PRS Setup Cheat Sheet has pre-filled relief, action, trem float, and pickup height specs for Custom 24, McCarty, CE 24, Silver Sky, and the SE and S2 lines, all on pages you can tape to your workbench.

In This Guide

• Essential Tools and Prep Checklist
• PRS Setup Specs by Model Line
• Neck Relief and Truss Rod Adjustment
• Action Height at the 12th Fret
• PRS Tremolo Setup: The Parallel Float
• Stoptail and Wraparound Bridges
• Pickup Height: Humbuckers and Single Coils
• Intonation
• Best Strings for a PRS
• When to Take Your PRS to a Professional
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Essential Tools and Prep Checklist

Before adjusting your PRS, gather the right tools and write down your starting measurements. PRS hardware mixes imperial and metric sizes depending on whether your guitar came from Maryland or the SE factory, so check which line you own first.

• Measuring kit: string action gauge, feeler gauges (the 0.010" blade is essential), capo, small ruler.
• Truss rod wrench: 5/16" nut driver for Core and S2, 7 mm nut driver for SE.
• Hex keys: .050" for Core trem saddles, 1.5 mm for CE, S2, and SE saddles, 1/16" for stoptail mounting screws.
• Tuner: a reliable chromatic tuner. Every adjustment requires retuning first.
• Workspace: padded bench, neck rest, bright light, and a notebook for before and after numbers.

Task	Target Spec	Tool(s)	Cross-Reference
Neck relief	0.010" (0.25 mm) @ 8th fret	Capo + 0.010" feeler gauge	Truss Rod Adjustment Guide
Action	1.5 mm high E / 1.8 mm low E @ 12th fret	String action gauge	Guitar Action Height Guide
Trem float	Parallel, 1/16" (1.6 mm) gap	Ruler or 1/16" drill bit	PRS Setup Cheat Sheet
Humbucker height	2.8 mm bass / 2.0 mm treble	Ruler, strings fretted at last fret	Guitar Action Height Guide
Intonation	±0 cents @ 12th fret	Chromatic tuner	Setup Specs Lookup

Quick Tools: Factory Specs | PRS Serial Number Lookup | Guitar Action Height Guide | My Gear

PRS Setup Specs by Model Line

PRS builds guitars in three tiers, and the specs are remarkably consistent across them. Core models come from the Maryland factory, S2 models are Maryland-built with streamlined features, and SE models are built overseas to PRS's published spec.

Model	Scale Length	Radius	Relief	Action High E / Low E @ 12th
Custom 24 / 22 (Core, S2, SE)	25"	10"	0.010"	1.5 mm / 1.8 mm
CE 24	25"	10"	0.010"	1.5 mm / 1.8 mm
McCarty	25"	10"	0.010"	1.5 mm / 1.8 mm
McCarty 594	24.594"	10"	0.010"	1.5 mm / 1.8 mm
Silver Sky (Core & SE)	25.5"	7.25" Core / 8.5" SE	0.010"–0.012"	1.5 mm / 1.8 mm
Santana (pre-2024)	24.5"	10"	0.010"	1.5 mm / 1.8 mm

PRS's published factory action window is 1.4–1.8 mm on the treble side and 1.5–1.9 mm on the bass side at the 12th fret, for both Maryland-made and SE guitars. The player targets above sit at the fast end of those windows.

The hardware, not the measurements, is where the lines diverge. Core and S2 truss rods adjust with a 5/16" nut driver; SE rods use 7 mm. Core trem saddles take a .050" hex key, while CE, S2, and SE saddles take 1.5 mm. Keep both sizes on the bench.

Bought your PRS used? Check our Guitar Price Estimate to confirm you paid market value for your model and year.

Neck Relief and Truss Rod Adjustment

Quick Answer: Most PRS guitars play best with 0.010" (0.25 mm) of relief at the 8th fret, measured with the 1st fret capoed and the low E fretted at the last fret. The Silver Sky targets 0.010"–0.012". Adjust in 1/8 turns, retune, and recheck.

Strings vibrate in an arc that is widest at the middle of the neck, so the neck needs a slight forward bow to clear the string's swing. PRS's official relief window is 0.005"–0.010", and most players are happiest at the top of that window. Aggressive low-action players can explore the 0.005" end, but only if the frets are truly level.

Truss Rod Access by Line

Line	Wrench	Access
Core	5/16" nut driver	Headstock, behind the truss rod cover
S2	5/16" nut driver	Headstock, behind the truss rod cover
SE	7 mm nut driver	Headstock, behind the truss rod cover

Turn clockwise to straighten the neck (less relief), counterclockwise to add bow (more relief). Small moves: 1/8 of a turn at a time, then retune and remeasure. For the full safety rules, see our truss rod adjustment guide.

Step-by-Step Relief Check

1. Capo the 1st fret and press the low E string down at the last fret.
2. Slide the 0.010" feeler gauge between the bottom of the low E and the top of the 8th fret.
3. Read the fit. Slight resistance means 0.010". If the gauge falls through freely, you have too much relief. If it will not fit, you have too little.
4. Adjust in 1/8 turns if needed, retune, and recheck.
5. Log the number before moving on to action height.

The Silver Sky is the exception: its vintage-style radius (7.25" on Core, 8.5" on SE) benefits from a touch more clearance, so PRS specs it at 0.010"–0.012", the same reason vintage Fenders run more relief.

Action Height at the 12th Fret

Quick Answer: Standard PRS action at the 12th fret is 1.5 mm on the high E and 1.8 mm on the low E, measured from the top of the fret crown to the bottom of the string. PRS's factory windows are 1.4–1.8 mm treble and 1.5–1.9 mm bass.

PRS publishes per-string targets, and the gradient is gentle compared to most brands:

String	Height @ 12th Fret
High E (1st)	1.5 mm (just under 2/32")
B (2nd)	1.6 mm (2/32")
G (3rd)	1.6 mm (2/32")
D (4th)	1.7 mm
A (5th)	1.8 mm
Low E (6th)	1.8 mm (about 2.3/32")

Action by Playing Style

Style	High E	Low E	Best For
Low / shred	1.4 mm	1.6 mm	Fast leads, light touch
Standard	1.5 mm	1.8 mm	All-around playing
Medium-high	1.7 mm	2.0 mm	Heavy strumming, big bends
High / vintage	1.9 mm	2.2 mm	Clean tone priority, slide

Always set relief first. Lowering action on a neck with the wrong relief just moves the buzz around. If you are chasing buzz after adjustments, our fret buzz troubleshooting guide maps the symptom to the fix by location on the neck.

Where You Adjust Depends on the Bridge

• Trem models (Custom 24, CE 24, Silver Sky): action is set at the individual saddle height screws (.050" hex on Core, 1.5 mm on CE, S2, and SE).
• Stoptail models (McCarty, SE 245): action is set at the two bridge thumbwheel studs. Move both studs in small, equal increments, bass side slightly higher.
• McCarty 594: the 2-Piece bridge sets height at the studs the same way; the separate tailpiece sets string break angle, not action.

PRS also publishes 1st fret action specs: 0.4–0.6 mm treble and 0.5–0.7 mm bass on Maryland-made guitars, with a wider SE window of 0.2–0.6 mm treble and 0.4–0.8 mm bass. That number is really about nut slot height, and it tells you whether the factory nut is doing its job.

PRS Tremolo Setup: The Parallel Float

Quick Answer: The PRS tremolo is designed to float parallel to the body with 1/16" (1.6 mm) of daylight between the top of the body and the bottom of the trem plate. Not decked, not flush, and not kicked up like a vintage Strat.

This is the most misunderstood part of a PRS setup. A vintage Strat trem floats with the rear edge raised about 1/8" (3 mm). Set a PRS trem that way and the geometry fights the knife-edge pivot, so tuning stability suffers. Set it flush and you lose up-bend entirely.

How to Set the Float

1. Tune to pitch with your intended string gauge.
2. Sight along the side of the trem. The base plate should be level with the body top, front to back.
3. Measure the gap between the body top and the bottom of the plate. Target 1/16" (1.6 mm) all along. A 1/16" drill bit slipped under the rear edge works as a gauge.
4. Adjust the claw screws in the spring cavity, a quarter turn at a time. Tighten to pull the plate down, loosen to let it rise. Retune after every move.
5. Repeat until both are true at once: tuned to pitch and plate parallel at 1/16". Spring tension and string tension are a balancing act, so expect a few rounds.

The same 1/16" parallel spec applies to the Gen III trem on Core models and the moulded trem on SE models. If the trem drifts after a string gauge change, that is expected: heavier strings raise the plate, lighter strings drop it. Quarter-turn the claw, retune, and recheck.

Stoptail and Wraparound Bridges

Not every PRS has a trem. The McCarty, Paul's Guitar, SE Paul's Guitar, and SE 245-style models use hardtail bridges, and they adjust differently.

One-Piece Adjustable Stoptail (McCarty, Paul's Guitar)

The one-piece stoptail (often called a wraptail) sets action at the two thumbwheel studs. Turn both in small, equal increments and keep the bass side a touch higher.

Intonation is the clever part: two rear-facing 1/16" hex set screws shift and angle the whole bridge. Those screws are brass and strip if forced, so use a well-fitting hex key, a straight angle, and gentle hands.

Two-Piece Bridge (McCarty 594)

The 594 uses a separate bridge and tailpiece. Bridge height is set at the studs, and intonation at six per-saddle Phillips screws. The tailpiece has no intonation role; it only sets the string break angle behind the bridge.

Fixed Wraparound (SE 245 and older SE Singlecuts)

Fixed wraparounds have no per-string compensation; the casting's built-in offset handles intonation. Action still adjusts at the studs. If a fixed wraparound simply will not intonate within tolerance, the fix is a compensated replacement bridge, not more stud adjustment.

Pickup Height: Humbuckers and Single Coils

Quick Answer: PRS humbuckers (85/15, 58/15, TCI, DMO, McCarty III) are set to 2.8 mm (3.5/32") on the bass side and 2.0 mm (2.5/32") on the treble side, measured with the strings fretted at the last fret. Silver Sky 635JM single coils follow a graduated pattern: neck 3.2/2.0 mm, middle 3.2/2.8 mm, bridge 3.2/1.6 mm.

Pickup height is a tone control that costs nothing. Closer to the strings means more output, more compression, and more risk of magnetic pull choking the string. Further away means cleaner, more open, more dynamic.

How to Measure

1. Make sure relief, action, and intonation are already set. Pickup height comes after them.
2. Fret the low E at the last fret and measure from the top of the bobbin to the bottom of the string on the bass side.
3. Repeat for the high E on the treble side.
4. Adjust the mounting screws in 1/4 turns to hit the targets.

Why the Bass Side Sits Further

The wound strings vibrate with far greater amplitude than the plain strings. Keeping the bass side 0.8 mm further from the magnet prevents the boomy, undefined low end that PRS techs specifically warn against. If your neck pickup sounds muddy, lowering the bass side in 1/64" (0.4 mm) steps is the single most effective free tone fix on a humbucker PRS.

Do not adjust the individual pole screws. PRS pole pieces are preset at the factory as part of the pickup's voicing (TCI tuning). Moving them unbalances the coils. Overall height at the mounting screws is your adjustment.

Silver Sky Single Coils

The 635JM single coils follow a classic Strat-style gradient: bridge closest, middle lowest on the treble side. The middle pickup's lower setting keeps positions 2 and 4 open and quacky instead of congested, and it avoids the magnetic warble some single coils put on the D and G strings.

Pickup	Bass Side	Treble Side
Neck	3.2 mm	2.0 mm
Middle	3.2 mm	2.8 mm
Bridge	3.2 mm	1.6 mm

Intonation

Quick Answer: Tune the open string to pitch, then compare the 12th fret harmonic to the fretted 12th fret note. They should match within ±0 cents on a decent tuner. If the fretted note is sharp, move the saddle back (away from the nut). If flat, move it forward.

Intonation is always the last step, because every earlier adjustment changes string length and tension. Where you move the saddle depends on the bridge:

• Trem models: each saddle moves individually. Retune after every small move.
• McCarty 594: six per-saddle Phillips screws on the 2-Piece bridge.
• One-piece stoptail (McCarty, Paul's Guitar): the two rear-facing 1/16" hex set screws shift and angle the whole bridge, so you set a compromise between the plain and wound sides.
• Fixed wraparound: no adjustment. If intonation is out, the bridge needs replacing with a compensated unit.

New strings intonate better than old ones. If a string will not intonate no matter where the saddle goes, change the strings before blaming the guitar.

Best Strings for a PRS

PRS ships its electrics with .010–.046 sets, and the trem geometry is balanced for that tension. Unless you have a reason to change, 10s are the safe factory baseline.

Gauge Recommendations by Goal

Goal	Gauge	What Changes
Factory feel	.010–.046	Nothing; trem and relief stay balanced
Easier bends	.009–.042	Neck straightens slightly, trem pulls back; brighter tone
Fuller tone	.011–.049	Neck bows slightly, trem rises; more sustain

Changing Gauge Means Rechecking Everything

String tension drives both neck relief and trem float, so a gauge change is a mini setup. Moving from 10s to 9s, expect to tighten the truss rod slightly and tighten the claw to pull the trem back to parallel. Moving to 11s, expect the opposite. Work in the standard order (relief, then action, then float, then pickups, then intonation) and recheck after 48 hours once the neck settles.

When to Take Your PRS to a Professional

Most PRS setups are home-friendly, but some problems are not. Know when to stop and hand the guitar to a tech.

See a pro if:

• The truss rod is maxed out or will not turn at all.
• Multiple frets are high or uneven and cause isolated buzz at low action.
• The nut slots are cut too deep and open strings buzz on the 1st fret.
• The trem knife edges or posts are worn and the trem will not return to pitch.
• A fixed wraparound bridge will not intonate and needs a compensated replacement.
• You want the nut recut for a different string gauge.

A professional setup on a PRS typically costs $60–$120. Fret work or a new nut adds $75–$150. If you own multiple electrics, learning the basics yourself pays for the tools quickly. Not sure what the guitar itself is worth before investing in work? Our Guitar Price Estimate gives you a market value for your exact model and year.

FAQ

What is the correct action height for a PRS Custom 24?

A well-set-up Custom 24 measures 1.5 mm on the high E and 1.8 mm on the low E at the 12th fret. PRS's published factory window is 1.4–1.8 mm treble and 1.5–1.9 mm bass, and the same numbers apply to Core, S2, and SE versions.

How do I adjust the truss rod on a PRS?

Remove the truss rod cover at the headstock. Core and S2 models take a 5/16" nut driver; SE models take a 7 mm nut driver. Capo the 1st fret, fret the low E at the last fret, and measure the gap at the 8th fret. Target 0.010" (0.25 mm), adjusting in 1/8-turn steps with a retune between each.

How much neck relief should a PRS have?

0.010" (0.25 mm) at the 8th fret for nearly every model. PRS's official window is 0.005"–0.010". The Silver Sky is the exception at 0.010"–0.012", because its vintage-style radius benefits from extra clearance.

Should a PRS tremolo float or sit flush?

It should float parallel to the body with a 1/16" (1.6 mm) gap between the body top and the bottom of the trem plate. The PRS trem is not designed to be decked, and it should not kick up at the rear like a vintage Strat trem. Adjust the spring claw in quarter turns until the plate is level at pitch.

What is the correct pickup height on a PRS?

For PRS humbuckers (85/15, 58/15, TCI), 2.8 mm (3.5/32") on the bass side and 2.0 mm (2.5/32") on the treble side, fretted at the last fret. The bass side sits further to keep the low end tight. Do not adjust the individual pole screws; they are preset at the factory.

Are PRS SE setup specs different from Core specs?

The measurements are the same: 0.010" relief, 1.5/1.8 mm action, 1/16" parallel trem float. What differs is the hardware. SE truss rods use a 7 mm wrench instead of 5/16", SE saddles use 1.5 mm hex keys instead of .050", and SE 1st fret action windows run slightly wider.

What strings does PRS use from the factory?

PRS ships its electric guitars with .010–.046 sets, and the trem spring balance is set for that tension. If you change gauge, plan to recheck relief and trem float afterwards.

Why does my PRS trem go out of tune?

The most common cause is a trem that is not floating parallel at 1/16". The second is friction at the nut. Check the float first, then make sure the nut slots are clean and lubricated. Worn knife edges on high-mileage trems are a third possibility, and that is a tech job.

How do I set intonation on a PRS McCarty?

The one-piece stoptail intonates via two rear-facing 1/16" hex set screws that shift and angle the whole bridge. Tune to pitch, compare the 12th fret harmonic to the fretted note, and nudge the bridge back if the fretted note is sharp. Use a well-fitting hex key because the brass screws strip easily.

How often should I set up my PRS?

Check your setup twice a year as seasons change, plus any time you change string gauge or tuning, buy a used guitar, or notice buzz, high action, or tuning drift. PRS necks are stable, but they still move with humidity.

Conclusion: Make Your PRS Play Its Best

A proper PRS setup comes down to five measurements: relief at 0.010", action at 1.5/1.8 mm, trem floating parallel at 1/16", humbuckers at 2.8/2.0 mm, and intonation at ±0 cents. Get those right and almost any PRS, from an SE Custom 24 to a Core McCarty 594, will play and sound noticeably better.

If you want every measurement on a printable card you can tape to your workbench, the PRS Setup Cheat Sheet has pre-filled specs for Custom 24, McCarty and McCarty 594, CE 24, Silver Sky, DGT, and the SE and S2 lines, plus the full trem float procedure and troubleshooting flowcharts.

What to do next:

• Measure your current setup and log the numbers.
• Work in order: relief, action, trem float, pickups, intonation.
• Recheck twice a year and after any string gauge change.
• Date your guitar with our PRS Serial Number Lookup if you have not already.
• Use our Guitar Price Estimate if you are buying, selling, or just curious what your PRS is worth.

Your PRS was built to tight tolerances in the factory. An afternoon with a feeler gauge and a hex key is all it takes to get it back there.