End pin removal

[Jmackay66]

Hi, just got a Yamaha FS720S and am going to put in a jjb 330 pu. Looks like the end pin (strap button) is glued in. Any thoughts on removal besides sawing it off and drilling it out?? It's just a black button w a white dot.

[Wally]

Could be that it's just really tight. Remove the strings and see if you can tap the end pin out from inside the bout cavity. You might also try a little naptha around the end pin to loosen any glue that may be there. Otherwise the saw and drill method may be your only option.

[Rodger Knox]

Since you're not trying to salvage the endpin, you could grab it with a pair of plyers and twist it out. Don't try to pull it straight out, twisting it first will shear the glue and then it should slide out easily.

[Ned Milburn]

Originally Posted by Rodger Knox

Since you're not trying to salvage the endpin, you could grab it with a pair of plyers and twist it out. Don't try to pull it straight out, twisting it first will shear the glue and then it should slide out easily.

Yes. 100% agreed!!

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by Ned Milburn

Yes. 100% agreed!!

Ditto.

I would not try to tap it out from the inside - you run the risk of pulling finish or wood with it from the exterior surface of the guitar.

In the worst case, twisting it will shear the end of the pin off, then you can drill it out easily enough. If you want to try to save the end pin, put a towel between it and the plier jaws to minimize and plier marks on it.

[John Arnold]

I use large end nippers to pull end pins. Grab under the head of the end pin (don't squeeze) and use the nippers as a lever, pushing against a piece of 3/16" thick soft wood placed next to the pin.

I would not try to tap it out from the inside - you run the risk of pulling finish or wood with it from the exterior surface of the guitar.

Not only that, but there is a possibility of cracking the tail block.

[JLS]

Yup, I'd be grabbing the endpin with a pair of Channelocks to twist it out. Seriously.

[pops]

I use a pair of pliers that are designed for the strain relief on an amp, has a rounded jaw with no teeth and grabs fine. Stumac also sells and end pin remover that works ok. If you put a light bulb close to dry the area it might come out easier too.

[Jmackay66]

Thanks for all the replies. looks like ill try a little heat and try to twist it out. Then I get to take a power drill to my new guitar. Cool.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by Jmackay66

looks like ill try a little heat

Interesting. You asked a question and received replies from several experienced luthiers. Not one of them suggested to "try a little heat".

Carry on.

[redir]

If you don't have the proper reamer then I would recommend just sawing it off and drilling it out. It's not easy to size a hole properly with drill bits alone but if you must then go up to the size one bit at a time and start off rotating the drill bit backwards. If you saw it off you can just pop a center punch hole in the middle of the end pin and use the appropriate sized bit in on fell swoop.

[pops]

Originally Posted by pops

If you put a light bulb close to dry the area it might come out easier too.

I believe the light bulb was mentioned for the heat value.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by pops

I believe the light bulb was mentioned for the heat value.

My mistake, then.

[pops]

Originally Posted by charles Tauber

My mistake, then.

No problem, i miss more than that on a daily basis.

[Jmackay66]

So, I lightly heated the area with a heat gun. Then with serrated jawed pliers, twisted the pin back and forth several times. After some minor pops and cracks the pin came out (in whole) easily. Now I have a perfect hole to start with and absolutely no finish damage at all. Very nice. Having a very good set of drill bits and only a bridge pin reamer in my tool box, I think I'll carefully drill the hole to proper size. One step at a time.