Brass bridge pins

[Appalachian Blues]

Does anybody else use brass bridge pins?

Back in the early 80's, I replaced the original bridge pins in the D-40 with brass ones. It's been so long ago but I think it made the ole' girl louder. I'd like to try either bone or ebony or both and compare.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

 

[AlohaJoe]

Copperhead-
I think the plastic pins come from the factories because they are cheap and they work fairly well, although almost anything else is an improvement IMO.

I think brass is commonly used on less expensive guitars to get more volume (which it does). However, it will also give you a brighter & more metallic tone which is fine if that's what you like. For me, I'd rather hear the wood, so when I tried them on my D50 I hated them... it seemed maybe 5% louder with plenty of sustain, but lost too much tonal richness and complexity for my taste.

I went to bone and they did brightened up a dark-sounding rosewood guitar, but in a really nice way while retaining a full, rich bass and lots of sustain. I haven't tried ebony, but I've heard they produce a little 'darker' tone and are often used to take some of the treble edge off a brighter-sounding guitar.

Bone for the tone!
- Joe
ps - Stay away from them snakes!

 

[Brad Little]

After having a split bridge repaired, I was hearing a sustain problem on my F-50. Tried brass pins, seemed a little better. Had some more work done, including a new bridge plate, still heard the problem. Went back to ebony pins (and changed from PB to 80/20 strings) and the problem went away, so I think the brass pins may have been part of the problem. A luthier friend told me that brass pins often improved sound on laminated/inexpensive guitars but sometimes had the opposite effect on better instruments.

Brad

 

[Tunes]

Based on my recent experience with TUSQ (which is some sort of glass ceramic), I would probably go with bone. I expect that with brass you would get a "brassier" sound, which may or may not be what you are looking for.

When I can afford bone pins I think I will be making a switch. Although I must say the clarity and sustain from using the TUSQ pins is quite remarkable compared to plastic. I would hope I can get the added clarity and sustain from bone without the added "brilliance" which I am still not quite sure about - tho to be fair it's only been a few days of playing with the new bridge pins. At $20 the TUSQ pins are pretty cheap, so it's not a big investment to try 'em out.

Actually I would not have thought bridge pins could make such a huge difference in sound, but it is rather dramatic IMO.

 

[Appalachian Blues]

I just ordered a set of 6 oversize slotted bone bridge pins from Stewart MacDonald. Should be here in a day or 2 since they're in Athens, Ohio.......Gateway to the Appalachians

 

[cuthbert]

I just ordered a set of 6 oversize slotted bone bridge pins from Stewart MacDonald. Should be here in a day or 2 since they're in Athens, Ohio.......Gateway to the Appalachians

OVERsize? :?

 

[kitniyatran]

Anything's better than plastic; I've had the top go flying off a plastic pin when barely brushed; they don't hold up well at all.

 

[JerryR]

Bone pins were the last improvement to the D35 - after bone nut and saddle.

 

[Scratch]

Tony T is about to inherit an F25 with brass pins...