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Old 11-14-2012, 01:16 PM
Misty44 Misty44 is offline
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Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
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A slotted (and properly reamed) bridge using unslotted pins is a good thing. Some pictures to go with oldrocker's words:

Slotted pins in unslotted bridges create big gaps at the plate for the string balls to wiggle up damaging the bridge plate and pins - preventing this is the main benefit of a slotted bridge:


illustartion by John Arnold




Slotted bridges and unslotted pins minimize this gap as Bryan's side-by-side demonstrates:


photo by Bryan Kimsey


Bridge slots are cut to individual string sizes; the slots in pins are all the same diameter: a cheaper manufacturing solution. A proper slot looks like this pin hole on a Martin D-18A:




Many quality manufacturers and luthiers slot and ream their pin holes as a matter of course. It's a good way to make guitars, and can easily be done to any guitar any time thereafter.
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