Bridge Pins

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ralph W McMullin on October 7, 2012 at 6:54am

Craig, the short answer is yes. It does make a difference. Why? Because it's critical that a bridge pin fit snugly for its entire length. This ensures the best possible sonic transfer from the strings to the top, AND it's also important to minimize/prevent wood chipping between pins holes on the bridge plate.

With two identically dimensioned (made that word up) pins except one is longer than the other, the two pins will have a different taper angle. Remembering that pins have to fit snugly at the bottom of the hole too, these two pins would NOT be interchangable. Put another way, hole tapers and pin tapers have to match.

So if I may take a liberty, what you are really asking is, "will the pictured pins work on my S&P?" Measure your pins and compare the measurements of the pins you want to use. If they are the same, then yes, they work. If not, then no. Important dimension are: length from bottom of crown to tip, width just under crown, and width at tip. If they match, the taper is the same.

The pins in my Seagulls are 1/8" longer than the pins in my Yamahas - not the same...

Permalink Reply by Jud Hair on October 7, 2012 at 7:02am

Yes, I agree with Ralph ... There is a significant difference in the "presentation" style pin required by Seagulls and Taylors and some other brands.  The flange or collar is larger and the shank is shorter and thicker.  Here is a LINK to a picture showing the differences between traditional and presentation style bridge pins.

Permalink Reply by Wayne Simpson on October 7, 2012 at 7:12am

Let me just point out that older Seagulls, and by that I mean early 2000's models, use standard Martin type bridge pins. You can tell what you have by looking at the dots. Bridge pins with small 2 mm dots are standard size. Pins with large 4 mm dots are Presentation. Unless you have a caliper, you won't be able to measure the difference as it's quite subtle, maybe .02 inch in diameter IIRC, but it is important for all the reasons mentioned above, so get the right ones.

BTW, older Seagulls do not have Tusq pins, so switching there is a significant upgrade.

Permalink Reply by Jud Hair on October 8, 2012 at 2:05pm

Note .. further study has revealed that Taylors do not use the presentation pins.  Sorry for the error. The Bob Colosi bridge pin size chart appears to shows that Blueridge, Breedlove, some Gibsons, Huss & Dalton, and Maton as all share the samed size pins used on (newer) Seagulls.

Permalink Reply by ian hopkins on October 7, 2012 at 8:32am

Wayne where exactly are these dots?

ian

Permalink Reply by FloridaGull on October 7, 2012 at 10:01am

The "dot" or inlay on the top of the bridgepin...

Permalink Reply by Wayne Simpson on October 7, 2012 at 5:02pm

What FloridaGull said...

Permalink Reply by Craig MC on October 7, 2012 at 8:55am

When I had my 1997 S&P dread in for a complete setup last June, my luthier replaced the original and worn-out plastic saddle with bone. He also replaced the original pins with new plastic ones. The old ones look exactly like the traditional pin in the Tusq graphic, so I think I'd be ok ordering pins from Pearse for that guitar. Have not had the pins out of the new Pro Folk yet to compare.

If the Godin acoustics use a different size bridge pin, does anyone know of a source besides Graph Tech?

Permalink Reply by Jud Hair on October 7, 2012 at 10:31am

BOB COLOSI  is the most comprehensive source I know of. 

Permalink Reply by FloridaGull on October 7, 2012 at 10:02am

Craig - that pic looks like you are about to go hunting... ;-)

Don't try to take any loose pins that look like that through airport security..."Man arrested with bridge, strap, and endpins at international airport - film at 11:00"

Permalink Reply by Craig MC on October 7, 2012 at 10:28am

Just noticed I put the wrong picture up. The brass is a bit flashy for me! Here's what I was considering these are camel bone (also from John Pearse).

These have a simple abalone dot. Actually just like those shiny brass jobs above

Permalink Reply by Jud Hair on October 7, 2012 at 10:42am

My Seagull Artist Mosaic came with tusq presentation pins with the abalone dot.  Very nice touch ... when I lost one of the old ones, I replaced the whole set.  The photo is of the replacements from Graphtech. Cost something like $23 I believe. 

BTW, I have 4 extras if anyboy is missing one.  Just let me know.

 

 

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