Bridge pin help

[mhenryj]

I have a non-name brand guitar. I wanted to replace the plastic bridge pins that are currently in it with some nice looking boxwood pins.

 

When I was changing the strings this weekend, I tried putting on the new pins, and could not get them to go into the holes. They did go in a little without the string, and even less when the string was in.

 

Is it better to enlarge the hole with a reamer, or to sand down the pin??

 

Thanks for any comments.

 

Mike

[solitaire]

Do you still got the old plastic pins? If so, compare the new and old pins visually to see how much they differ. We'll take it from there.

[FingerBone Bill]

Simple logic says that it's easier and cheaper to modify or replace the pins rather than the guitar.

 

Remember, pins are not just cosmetic - they may subtly alter the sound of a guitar. You could find yourself in a situation where you do not like the new pins sound but cannot put the old pins back if you ream out the bridge pin holes.

[notgonnadoit]

Definitely sand down the pins and don't touch the holes in the bridge. You may also need to increase the size of the pin's groove with a small, round, rat tail file to accomodate the larger wound strings. You can always swap out relatively inexpensive pins if you tire of the look or their percieved affect on tone but once you've bored out those holes, you are committed.

[kwakatak]

Like everyone else said, definitely sand down the pins and do not ream out the bridge. It's cheaper that way.

 

BTW, I also purchased new pins for my guitar solely for visual appeal. I got a set of ebony pins w/ pearloid dots to go on my Takamine. They don't sit uniformly, but they do fit.

[mhenryj]

Thanks to all for your offers of help and suggestions.

 

I have opted to modify the pins themselves. I have spent the evening modifying the grooves, which were a tad tight on strings 4-6, and sanding to a snug fit. Might need a little more detail, but they work great.

 

Looking pretty good!!

 

Thanks again for a great community.

 

Mike