Help/Advise installing end pin

[Cashdog]

I'm loving the GF-30 I picked up from Fungusyoung here on the forum. The only issue I'm having is that the end pin does not want to fully seat in the hole. It was removed for shipping, and I'm thankful for that as I've read about the damage it can cause when dropped on the pin. But I can't get it to seat all the way down to the ridge on the pin. I was a little afraid that pushing too hard may cause the same sort of damage as dropping it on the pin. I'm also a little concerned about hanging it on a strap without the pin being fully seated.

Are there any tricks to this? I wanted to check with the experts before I do something stupid and damage this beauty.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[evenkeel]

Try using a turning motion. Like the end pin was threaded. If that does not work, wrap a piece of sandpaper (220 grit or higher) around the plug end of the pin and carefully smooth off any ridges. Don't sand away to much material.

I know I'm going to get some push back on this, but I like a small drop off plain old white glue on the business end of the pin. Belts and suspenders. I like to know a bit more than just friction is involved in holding up the strap/guitar assembly. I'd also venture that more guitars have been banged up from end pins pulling out than from damage shipping with the end pin in place.

 

[dreadnut]

Or, install a pickup and toss the end pin.

 

[Cashdog]

Thanks keel. I'll give it a twist this evening and see what happens.

Dread, I'm just not big on pickups. Course I don't ever plug one in. I have one guitar with a pickup and have never used it. I actually passed on the D50 Celticjam was selling a couple weeks ago strictly because of the Dtar. I know, it probably even adds value but it's just not my thing. Maybe one day I'll see the light.

 

[fungusyoung]

Or, install a pickup and toss the end pin.

That's exactly what I would have done if I kept it, but I've never had this issue with an endpin before. It was thankfully removed when this guitar was shipped to me too, and I never bothered to put it in because I was either going to have a pup installed or sell it.

Anyone else have any suggestions, assuming Cashdog isn't interested in installing a pickup?

 

[taabru45]

This problem may not be fixable, so pm me if you decide to sell the guitar instead... :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[devellis]

I'd give the guitar and pin a little time to acclimate. It might be that the end block either took on or gave up some moisture in shipping that will stabilize in a few days. If it's still tight, you can sand it but go extremely gently. I'd literally place it in a fold of fine grit paper, give it a single twist and re-check it. You definitely don't want to force it in. But, on the other hand, you don't want it sitting in there too loosely, either. Another possibility is that either the pin or hole is slightly out of round and that you need to orient the pin correctly, relative to the hole. Pressing gently, turning slightly, pressing, turning, etc. might find an orientation where it fits.

If you end up sanding it and go a little too far, you can put a thin layer of super-glue on the pin and let it dry completely (like overnight). The dried glue will add just a bit of girth to the pin.

As a final comment that may negate everything else I've said, I'm not sure that I'd feel the need to fit the pin right up to the neck ring. It gives you a little room for adjustment if it's a couple of millimeters short of fully seated. If it loosens up for some reason, a gently push will get it snug again. Although you may be acutely aware of how it's fitting now, you really won't notice a small misfit once you're not actually looking for it.

Just some ideas to consider.

 

[adorshki]

What Bob Devellis said. 8)

 

[southernGuild]

What Bob Devellis said. 8)

What Adorshki said! :lol:

 

[Cashdog]

Thanks for all the advice guys. So far I've tried everything except sanding the pin. It hasn't really gone any further, but I think I'll give it a few more days and see if that helps. This one is just a plastic pin, so I may even buy a nicer one before I put too much effort into it. Bob's final comment makes good sense, and it does feel quite firm where it is.

His post raised another question though. If the pin (plastic in this case) had not been removed and the end block took on enough moisture to swell to this extent, would that have caused a crack or other damage. I don't think this pin would have much give to it.

I believe this guitar belonged to Treem before Fungus. If he never used the pin either, than I guess it's possible that after passing through a few homes with a number of other guitars this may not even be the original pin.

Oh well. I'll just keep fiddling with it until I'm confident she's gonna stay put. I was thinking about ordering one of those fancy Guild leather straps one day soon, and I'm gonna need something to put it on.

Sorry Steffan, this wouldn't be a deal breaker even if I can't ever play it standing up.

 

[jcwu]

Put the pin in as far as it'll go, then drop the guitar down, pin first, and let gravity and physics do the rest.

 

[Cashdog]

That still didn't work, so I took it outside and dropped it off the deck onto the patio. That did the trick. Now I've got it propped up right in front of the woodstove to melt the snow and dry it off. Guess these things really are built like tanks, huh.

 

[adorshki]

That still didn't work, so I took it outside and dropped it off the deck onto the patio. That did the trick. Now I've got it propped up right in front of the woodstove to melt the snow and dry it off. Guess these things really are built like tanks, huh.

:lol: :lol: :lol: My D25 is the lightest (flattop) axe I've ever owned, and yet it survived one of those "OH NO the case isn't latched!" moments. The F65 which is heavier(maple), has a very thin top and is showing a little bellying...yet other reviews have said THEY'RE built like tanks... go figure.... :lol: