Lets talk Acoustic bridge end Pins

kmcguitars

GuitarArtologist
I just repaired my Samick acoustic Bennett model D-8CE, With marginal results.:27: Now I just discovered the crappy plastic end pin had cracked.(Not surprising due to the blunt force trauma the guitar suffered) So what's the intangible's of the other materials end pins are now made from? I see that Galalith is popular & affordable. Then there are some more exotic offings like ebony, Snakewood ,Bone and Tusq. I'm not interested in which martial is the BEST most TONE FULL. This is a price point guitar w/t a smashed, But repaired soundboard. I doubt I'll hear a tone difference.:blindfold. I kinda like the snakewood from stewmac for $14 a set. But what would you recommend that wears the best, and is affordable. I see Bone goes around $30 for the set. (A Lil' pricey for a Sub $400 guitar.:doh:
 
Re: Lets talk Acoustic bridge end Pins

If you're talking about bridge pins themselves, and not the end pins, I have a lot to offer.

I don't like the tone of snakewood, box wood, and other uncommon woods. Ebony, water buffalo horn, and bone are my favorites.

Bone is my number one go to. Not just for the tonal change (which I can't hear), but because it doesn't warp, crack, or wear quickly like plastic, ebony, micarta, or other offerings. It'll look exactly the same in 20 years so long as things are done right.
 
Re: Lets talk Acoustic bridge end Pins

If you're talking about bridge pins themselves, and not the end pins, I have a lot to offer.

I don't like the tone of snakewood, box wood, and other uncommon woods. Ebony, water buffalo horn, and bone are my favorites.

Bone is my number one go to. Not just for the tonal change (which I can't hear), but because it doesn't warp, crack, or wear quickly like plastic, ebony, micarta, or other offerings. It'll look exactly the same in 20 years so long as things are done right.

So You think it's much wiser to go the extra $15 for Bone? I don't want to deal with removing broken pins from my bridge again, And conversely I don't want to wear the slots, So I need to buy oversized pins.:doh:
 
Re: Lets talk Acoustic bridge end Pins

Wear of the slots comes from changing strings much too often and doing it without regard to the bridge. There's absolutely no need to purchase oversized pins if you're inserting the string ball properly and doing things right.

As for do I think it's wiser, yes. It would make sense to me to buy what will not wear out, have a small effect on tone, and look nice for years and years to come.
 
Re: Lets talk Acoustic bridge end Pins

Since I sorta need to grab a set of bridge pins for one of my rides... is there any significant difference in tone between materials? Assuming a decent guitar here... solid wood, mid-line Alvarez.

I've heard people say they make no difference since a properly installed string should stay in place w/o a pin holding it. Not sure I buy that... The stock pins are, I think mahogany? Regardless they're worn out & splitting where the slots are... strings slip out so I dropped a set of plastic ones on there since I had 'em in the parts drawer. Does the job.

I'm wondering though if its worth going to say, brass, bone or ebony & if that would make any sort of difference in volume & projection.
 
Re: Lets talk Acoustic bridge end Pins

I got a set of Brass pins on the way to try on a new acoustic. I'll report back here.
 
Re: Lets talk Acoustic bridge end Pins

Since I sorta need to grab a set of bridge pins for one of my rides... is there any significant difference in tone between materials? Assuming a decent guitar here... solid wood, mid-line Alvarez.

I've heard people say they make no difference since a properly installed string should stay in place w/o a pin holding it. Not sure I buy that... The stock pins are, I think mahogany? Regardless they're worn out & splitting where the slots are... strings slip out so I dropped a set of plastic ones on there since I had 'em in the parts drawer. Does the job.

I'm wondering though if its worth going to say, brass, bone or ebony & if that would make any sort of difference in volume & projection.

Stock pins are probably snakewood.

A lot of folks note a huge change of tone with brass or other metallic bridge pins. An increase in volume by a good amount, as well as more top end. Whether that's good or bad is up to you.

Bone or ivory will get you closer, with an increase in volume (when using bone pins on a solid topped instrument, you will at least note the volume change), with more top end sparkle and tighter mids (IMHO). They're the closest natural material used for bridge pins to brass, so you can expect similar results, just not to such an extreme.

Ebony, while an extremely hard wood, is softer than the stock plastic pins. You will note a much "smoother" sound all around. Highs will sounds more even, and everything will blend very well across the spectrum.

On my strumming guitars, I prefer bone. I like that little extra edge it gives, especially for the type of music I beat out.

On my finger pickers, I use ebony on the 3 treble strings and bone on the 3 bass strings. I find that it helps even things out when it's quiet and it's only flesh and steel.

Now, time for my PSA and disclaimer:

Acoustic instruments are very finicky creatures. While some generalizations can be made using the woods and body shape as to how an instrument will sound, it's actually the things we can't see that have the largest effect on tone. Bracing patterns, shapes, and bridge plates play the largest roll in the voice of an acoustic tone. So, if you don't like the tone you have now, a bone nut, saddle, bridge pins, and banging the **** out of it to "open it up" will not make it better.

Please keep this in mind when purchasing anything for an acoustic instrument, and allow your ears to be the guide. Solid guitars can sound like crap, and I've came upon laminates that sang. Even with laminates, bracing has the largest effect on tone.

If interested in learning more, I suggest the Acoustic Guitar Forum (I spend PLENTY of time over there) or The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum (great for Martin questions, but other brands the info is few and far between).

This has been brought to you by the letter L, for logic. Let it be your guide.
 
Re: Lets talk Acoustic bridge end Pins

Wow, didn't mean to ramble that much. Perhaps a little too much coffee for me this morning.
 
Re: Lets talk Acoustic bridge end Pins

By a mile, the most important thing is #1 the correct taper and then #2 a tight fit. These details are much more important, IMO, than the material the pin is made from.

A plastic pin or wooden pin with the correct taper for your guitar and a tight fit will make your guitar sound deeper and better than a bone or fossilized ivory pin with the wrong taper.

As far as materials go, I agree with Bean. I like bone or fossilized ivory. But again, unless the fit is perfect so that the strings are pressed against the bridge plate inside the guitar perfectly, perfectly tapered plastic will sound better than poorly tapered and fitted bone or ivory.

Martin tapered pins will make a Taylor sound mediocre. You need exactly the right taper and fit to get the best tone from your acoustic guitar.
 
Re: Lets talk Acoustic bridge end Pins

By a mile, the most important thing is #1 the correct taper and then #2 a tight fit. These details are much more important, IMO, than the material the pin is made from.

A plastic pin or wooden pin with the correct taper for your guitar and a tight fit will make your guitar sound deeper and better than a bone or fossilized ivory pin with the wrong taper.
.

Super agree here. I completely forgot to mention correct fit and taper.
 
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