Pro Martin - Slotted the bridge (PIC&CLIP)

[Guest]

Hehe, can't keep my hands from modding anymore it seems :laugh2:

I've read around a little more, and found out that the old Martins didn't have slotted bridge pins but a slotted bridge instead. I had two small sized files that I cut the grooves with. There's fairly lot of info about slotted bridges out on the net. Shortly, it is said to improve tone a bit as the strings sits firmer than with slotted pins and it's also healthier for the bridge as the string heads don't cut into the bridge from underneath in the same way. I did it partly for tone and partly for Martinizing the specs

I haven't invested in a set of unslotted bone pins yet so I just use the original plastic pins with the slotted side turned backwards. I also changed out the strings for "Martin 80/20 bronze" (cheaper than the SP Bronzes that I first thought about getting), but the sound really good! So I'm happy

"ON THE EVENING TRAIN": http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=309222&songID=4947992

So I finally came around to record something with the guitar as well. Here's a cover of Hank Williams "On The Evening Train", but it's the Johnny Cash version that inspired me. It's recorded with my 3.5mm Sony mic in front of the soundhole, all tracks are done with the Pro Martin. If you'd assign a drumtrack to this it would probably be way off as I didn't use a metronome or anything, but you've got to forgive me for that

 

[Bludave]

Re: Pro Martin - Slotted the bridge (PIC&CLIP)

Slotted pins is kind of doing the same thing. It allows the string to move without damaging the bridgeplate or the birdge. A properly setp acoustic guitar IMHO the pins don't really do much. I can actually pull the pins out while the guitar is tuned to pitch. If this is the case I can't see how the pin is going to contribute to the tone. I've use plastc pins, brass, bone and even Ivory and the tone is neglegable to my ears! I think the string choice will have a much greater effect than the type of pin. THe 80/20 bronze to my ears sound to bright, but on certain guitars tha can be a good thing. I prefer Phosfor/Bronze. I get a lot more life out of them and I think they sustain better. Everyone will be different your hands, your touch will all effect it. Enjoy!

 

[Guest]

Re: Pro Martin - Slotted the bridge (PIC&CLIP)

You might very very well be right and I won't argue against you BluDave as I don't have much experience with acoustic guitars and I can't say how and if it changed the tone at all as I changed strings at the same time.

I agree with you that these strings are a little bright. But as the old strings were old and worn the change was quite a contrast from dull to bright. A

t first I thought they were too bright but after having played them a couple of hours today I tend to like 'em more. They were very metallic sound when I put them on but seem to have settled in a little now.

I read about slotting on the page below, and decided to try it out. Even though it isn't really reversable. Even if it didn't changed the tone it still is the historical method done on Martins

http://www.bryankimsey.com/bridges/slotted.htm

After researching I came to the conclusion that this is a replica of a late 60's Martin D-28. Someone asked in a earlier thread if I'm going to build it as close to that as possible.

But I've figured that instead I'm gonna mod it with things that I associate with Martin guitars and specs that are features of old Martins. Scalloped bracings and a slotted bridge are two of the features.

Open back tuners are another thing that I associate to Martin. Waverly's are THE open tuners but they are a little over the price for a guitar like this (at least it feels so know). So I think I'm gonna go with the cheaper equivalents, Grover Sta-Tites.

Bone pins, saddle and nut are other things that are features of higher quality guitars in general and is a common thing to change on Martins, that's my conclusion after reading around at the www.UMGF.com

 

[fingerace]

Re: Pro Martin - Slotted the bridge (PIC&CLIP)

I think you just needed something to mod! that's all :laugh2:

nah... j/k

I have no idea if it works or not, my acoustics don't have bridge pins!

So, is the bridge and nut plastic or are they bone?

 

[Guest]

Re: Pro Martin - Slotted the bridge (PIC&CLIP)

:laugh2: hehe, the mod bug has bit me!

They are plastic now... pins, saddle and nut. I will exchange 'em for bone, but I will order everything at once so that I don't have to pay several shippings. Possibly tuners at the same time as well.