Martin's new Liquidmetal bridge pins?

[Goodallboy]

Originally Posted by Earl49

FWIW a change is sound pressure level of 3 dB is barely noticeable, and only under ideal conditions. Increases in loudness are generally judged as follows. Decreases in sound level follow the same scheme.

+ 1 dB -- measurable using a quality sound meter, but not perceptible
+ 3 dB -- noticeable if you are actively listening or expecting a change
+ 5 dB -- noticeable without prompting
+ 10 dB -- subjectively twice as loud as the original sound

The character of the tone might change - that is WAY harder to quantify -- but the loudness will not be perceptibly different.

All but the #1 entry is dependent on the listener so it is of little relevance across the population.

[rsfanforever]

Has anyone actually tried a set and can say if they helped the tone or not?

[JPP.WAS.HERE]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUg1KmnblNE

Here ya go, draw your own conclusions.
This video could be way shorter if the hosts would SHUT UP & PLAY but it is what it is.

[rick-slo]

Another thread on this topic with some other details:
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=550451

[Martinaylor]

Originally Posted by rsfanforever

Has anyone actually tried a set and can say if they helped the tone or not?

I tried quite a few of these on the Martin Modern Deluxe Series guitars at a local store. Here's what I can say. In a real playing situation, you don't notice any of the things they sell you on (more volume etc), especially in a bluegrass jam or full band. It's literally imperceptible unless you're listening for it. The other thing is it adds what you would expect metal to add - a little shimmer, bell-like timbre, crisp string enunciation....if you like that, these are great (the Modern Deluxe's are all pretty awesome). If you're one of those people who are in love with organic, woody sounding guitars, these pins will leave you disappointed.

That said....any difference is minor. I could secretly swap out many people's bridge pins with these and they wouldn't notice. Most people wouldn't be like "Wow, who changed my guitar sound?!" Some would, if they have great ears, play alone a lot, and have played that one instrument a lot for many years.

[xaxinojo]

After watching the YouTube video and hearing a difference I thought to give the pins a go.
Just put a set of the liquid metal pins on a martin 000-28GE and there is a very noticeable difference.
I like this guitar with bone pins a lot anyway.
The liquid metal pins give it more volume, ring and sustain.
The top of the guitar seems to vibrate more and the sound coming out seems more resonant.
Definitely different.

[BoneDigger]

I have. CEO 8.2 that has these installed from the factory. I wish I could really say I am positive that it actually adds to the tone, but I have no idea. I assume they would have tested various options and went with what works best, but I have no idea.

[Brucebubs]

I swapped the liquid metal for heavy metal.

[vindibona1]

Originally Posted by Martinaylor

I tried quite a few of these on the Martin Modern Deluxe Series guitars at a local store. Here's what I can say. In a real playing situation, you don't notice any of the things they sell you on (more volume etc), especially in a bluegrass jam or full band. It's literally imperceptible unless you're listening for it. The other thing is it adds what you would expect metal to add - a little shimmer, bell-like timbre, crisp string enunciation....if you like that, these are great (the Modern Deluxe's are all pretty awesome). If you're one of those people who are in love with organic, woody sounding guitars, these pins will leave you disappointed.

That said....any difference is minor. I could secretly swap out many people's bridge pins with these and they wouldn't notice. Most people wouldn't be like "Wow, who changed my guitar sound?!" Some would, if they have great ears, play alone a lot, and have played that one instrument a lot for many years.

I've been wanted to get my hands on a set to test, but I'm not willing to shell out $100 for the sake of experimentation alone. If someone cares to loan me a set I'll be happy to try them and return them. The thing about bridge pins is that generally they don't change the TONE of the instrument. What different pins do is change the attack, the sustain or the decay and sometimes the volume. So when you swap a full set of pins out you may not hear a difference if you're only listening for tone. I believe that often there is more perceived sound modification in a mixed set of bridge pins than complete sets as you have the ability to fine tune anamolies of strings in a set that don't match others in the set, much like violin players use mutes on various strings to even the balance.

[rick-slo]

Changing the amount of sustain and volume of certain frequencies more than other frequencies, by whatever method, obviously changes the tone.
Maybe one hears it and appreciates it as such, or maybe not.

[IndyHD28]

Two of my three Martins have OE LM pins. They work fine. Would I go out of my way and spend $100-$150 to replace other types? No.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I swapped the liquid metal for heavy metal.

Ugh! They look like engorged ticks!!

[Rosewood99]

I noticed that d'addario has titanium bridge pins for half the price. Are those very different from Martin's?

[xaxinojo]

I am returning the liquid metal pins.
They definitely change the sound of the guitar but not in a way that I like.
If I had to describe the change I would say it was more metally.
At first I liked the change but after a few hours I really didn’t like the change at all.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Ugh! They look like engorged ticks!!

Hey great heavy metal band name!