Is it okay that my bridge pins are sticking out different amounts with strings on?

[FiggyPudding18]

Hey All,

Hoping some people can help me with a bit of an OCD thing (maybe) that I have noticed with bridge pins on my J-45. Admittedly, when changing strings at some point, I got the bridge pins mixed up and forgot which bridge pins were supposed to go in for each string. However, they still all seem flush and even without strings.

When putting strings on, however, I've noticed the bridge pins are higher or lower depending on the string. In the pictures below, the low E string bridge pin is highest, and it is actually slightly tilted diagonally as well. Most of the other strings are at least somewhat similar in height.

Is this anything to worry about, and are there any action steps I should take?

Thanks so much!

https://imgur.com/a/Ozets4o

[warfrat73]

It's fine.

If it bothers you you can sand them down so they fit better, and then label the.

[phavriluk]

This is one of those questions that needs an inspection of the bridge pin holes and bridge pins and strings and bridgeplate in order to offer an answer. My opinion is that OP's problem is likelier to be uneven bridge pin hole condition than differences among mass-produced bridge pins. But there's no answer without a hands-on look around. The answer might involve strings' engagement with bridge pins and bridgeplate, bridge pins and their holes may not be involved. No telling.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

It's fine.

If it bothers you you can sand them down so they fit better, and then label the.

If the pins sit flush with no strings what does he sand?

The fix is relatively simple - here's the pins on a Huss & Dalton I owned before and after I modified the pin slots.



I didn't touch the guitar, all I did was extend the slot in the pin a little more above the collar to allow a little more room for the thickish string end winding - like the pin on the right in this picture.



I used a very fine diamond burr drill bit on my Dremel, this is the exact kit I bought.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/392825418515



I also number my pins now too.

[phavriluk]

I think some overthinking might be happening. Altering bridge pins when the holes in the bridge are incompletely adjusted seems to me to be a logical dead end.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by phavriluk

I think some overthinking might be happening. Altering bridge pins when the holes in the bridge are incompletely adjusted seems to me to be a logical dead end.

If the pins all sit down flush with no strings on how is the bridge 'incompletely adjusted'?

[John Arnold]

The ideal solution is to slot the bridge and use unslotted pins. I always prefer to have identical pins for interchangeability. Doing this has several advantages, not the least of which is the ability to size each slot for the size of the strings. With slotted pins, the slots are large enough for the 6th string, which means a sloppy fit on the other five.

[warfrat73]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

If the pins sit flush with no strings what does he sand?

Fair point... might have read right past that part.

[phavriluk]

I read right past that comment, too. But if the pins fit nice all by themselves but get snaggletoothed when strings are added, then I suggest slotting the bridge so that the pins aren't holding the strings in place, just making sure they don't pop out when they shouldn't.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by phavriluk

I read right past that comment, too. But if the pins fit nice all by themselves but get snaggletoothed when strings are added, then I suggest slotting the bridge so that the pins aren't holding the strings in place, just making sure they don't pop out when they shouldn't.

You're not the first to make that suggestion and certainly won't be the last but I'm much happier to suggest modifying the pins than modifying the guitar for the simple reason that messing up a pin is much easier to live with than messing up your guitar.

[antvas1963]

If you were to slot the bridge, do you just slot the corner where the string exits the hole or do you slot the entire length of the hole? I have an old fender guitar I wouldn’t mind trying this on.

[phavriluk]

OJT is good for flipping burgers, not high-precision instrument work. I suggest to OP to get an experienced tech to do bridge slotting.

[John Arnold]

Originally Posted by antvas1963

If you were to slot the bridge, do you just slot the corner where the string exits the hole or do you slot the entire length of the hole? I have an old fender guitar I wouldn’t mind trying this on.

It depends on the pins. Unslotted pins require a slot for the entire length. Those slotted pins that have a slot that stops at the collar may require a slot at the top corner. This is commonly called ramping.

[Dogma]

Is this a consistent problem at the same string?
The pin-set on my newest guitar looked good when I got it from the luthier. After the first or second string change the low E pin was considerably proud of the others. At the next string change the pin-sets were all even again. No idea why - maybe something going on below with the ball of the string? Maybe the pins were interchanged? Could have been either, or something else. Next time you change strings mess around with the problematic string (assuming there is one in particular) and various pins and see if anything changes the way the pin sits.

[redir]

Pro tip: Slotted pins become unslotted pins when you rotate them around

The ball end of the string should sit nice and tight up against the bridge plate and the best way to accomplish that is to make a keyhole slot through the whole length of the hole and use unslotted pins. The slot only needs to be deep enough so that it hols the ball end in. When done properly you should be able to pull a pin out under full string tension and the string will not pop out and in fact will remain in tune. I'm not suggesting you try that, it's just in theory and to illustrate a point.