Correct Factory Dia.

[nanccinut]

My original new late eighties Waverley D-35 Guild originally had off-white pins. Went to the Guild site and found lots of specs but not for the correct dia of the pin holes. Anyone who once worked there know the correct dia size of the pin holes ,hense the correct dia of the pins which I asssume should match. I know I was once told to never assume but think this time assume is the case. May phone my local luither who has been in the business for thirty plus years and have saw him build every instument going! Will pass on his words of wisdomhere as a footnote. -nanccinut

 

[capnjuan]

... My original new late eighties Waverley D-55 Guild originally had off-white pins....

Hi nanccinut and welcome to LTG! It pains me to say this but if your guitar is a genuine Guild, it was made in Westerly RI, not Waverly. If your guitar has a label in it that says Waverly, then it isn't a genuine Guild ... take a look? Bridge pins is a popular topic on the LTG BB; this link: LTG 'Bridge Pin' Search results will boot hundreds of BB posts on the subject; material, diameter, sources, and of course opinions. In any event, if you read some of these posts and because the pins taper, finding good replacements is a little more involved that determining the size of the original pin hole. Good luck and, again, welcome to LTG! CJ

 

[nanccinut]

Thanks for the welcome and yes its just my bad spelling at 6AM in the morning . It does say Waverley and on the Guild one time I was able to date my D-35 it from 87-88 era if my old memory is correct and I was following the tons of numbers matching to my serial number. I bought it new off the wall in Aug 89.
Due to every Guilds wood having gone through different humidities due to their certain geographic location, sounds like the best you can really hope for is a very tight fit at the top of the pin hole.-nanccinut

 

[West R Lee]

Thanks for the welcome and yes its just my bad spelling at 6AM in the morning . It does say Waverley and on the Guild site one time was able to date it from 87-88 era if my old memory is correct and I was following the tons of numbers matching to my serial number.
Due to every Guilds wood having gone through different humidities due to their certain geographic location, sounds like the best you can really hope for is a very tight fit at the top of the pin hole.-nanccinut

Just giving you a tough time Nan....only kidding, but you meant, "it does say WESTERLY", right :wink: ?

On the pin issue, the last time I (the friend actually ordered) ordered a set of pins, they were actually for a friend's guitar and went in a "Westerly" built Guild A25. Coastie had asked me for the exact measurements and I happened to have a micrometer here. I measured the bottom diameter, top diameter, and length of the pin. Coastie sent those dimensions to a man named Bob Colosi. Mr. Colosi fashioned a beautiful set of custom pins for Coastie......he also made Coastie a saddle and nut. Turned out beautifully.

I'd measure your present pins, and if they are too tight, I'd order the same size and sand them just a tad. Or you can order them a thousandth or two smaller in diameter.

West

 

[workedinwesterly]

ok,
here's the story of guild bridge pins:
the bridge was glued to the top in final assembly by driving screws thru the outer bridge pin holes and once in a while a clamp was used.
The next day the screws (and/or clamps) were removed and the holes drilled out to remove glue squeeze-out. Then Maria ( Joes sister ) would grab 6 (or 12) bridge pins from the massive bag next to her bench, take her tapered reamer and ream the holes until the pins fit...more or less.
That's all it ever was.
Higher-end models got the same pins, only with abalone dots instead of black.

 

[capnjuan]

Edited out; duplicate thread elsewhere. CJ

 

[hideglue]

the bridge was glued to the top in final assembly by driving screws thru the outer bridge pin holes.....

Using saxophone pads

Then Maria ( Joes sister ) would grab 6 (or 12) bridge pins from the massive bag next to her bench, take her tapered reamer and ream the holes until the pins fit...more or less.
That's all it ever was.

So what was the diameter?

 

[workedinwesterly]

hey hideglue !
I remember those pads!
your sample appears to be much newer, and lacking encrusted glue.

The diameter varied, depending on time of day and if the Log Cabin was open for "lunch".
Besides, the word Diameter implies that the hole was round .

You worked right next to her, you should know !

WiW

 

[hideglue]

hey hideglue !

You worked right next to her, you should know !

WiW

I did? I guess "right next" is relative. Anyway, those early days are as much a fog as the latter. And having "The Boss" come in and rail me for any and all reasons was enough for me to stay away from his sister.

 

[workedinwesterly]

ok, i stand corrected.
you were at least 2 benches away.

have a good thanksgiving hideglue......i miss the free turkeys !