Bridge Pins Sizing

Bridge pins are tiny parts in an acoustic guitar that often get little attention from the owner, and much less their function and purposes. In short bridge pins do the following,

 

1. Hold each guitar string in place

2. Contribute to greater sustain

3. Elevate aesthetic value

 

There are many myth surrounding bridge pins and most of these claims are unverified. Nonetheless they have contributed much discussions to guitar forums. While they are myths, they aren't necessary harmful in every way.

 

Among guitar lovers, it is very common to exchange ideas and discoveries related to any conceviable aspect of guitar. Therefore it comes as no surprise that many passionately discussed topics have little value to making guitars better. My opinion is, these talks sustain interests and ignite curiousities.

 

Without them, there may be no impetus to innovate, and the technology of guitar-making wouldn't have made any progress.

 

Some guitar enthusiasts may claim that a change in bridge pins result in greater volume, warmer tone or longer tonal sustain, etc. It would be unkind to rule them all out but we should not take every word for it too. Beyond all myths and talks about bridge pins, you should make purchases that you will be happy for.

 

In essence, even you may not fully understand why bridge pins are there, it definitely pays to have bridge pins that are made from suitable materials, as well as in fitting sizes. You have nothing to loose by fitting good looking, good materials and good fitting bridge pins.

 

There are two sizes of guitar bridge pins here. They differ in shank angle (see above illustration). Shanks function to seat or fit into the bridge pin holes drilled onto the guitar bridge and top plate. The taper provides a wedging effect when a bridge pin is driven into a bridge pin hole thus the pin gets "wedged or locked" into position. This effect holds guitar string into position. To get a proper fitting, you should purchase bridge pins with the suitable shank angle.

 

Remove your existing guitar bridge pins and determine the shank angle of your bridge pins.

 

3º degrees shank bridge pins

 

The average underskirt diameter is 5.40mm. Generally,

these pins are suitable for for Martin guitars that were

made before 1994, also Larrivee, Blanchard, Garrison,

Goodall, Ryan, Lakewood, McPherson, Santa Cruz and

Taylor guitars.These also work with Collings guitars

made prior to 2002.

 

5º degrees shank bridge pins

 

The average underskirt diameter is 5.35mm. For modern

Martin guitars (after 1994) and Gibson guitars.