Bridge Pins

[2jackedLUNGS]

Originally Posted by TokyoNeko

Saddle I understand, pins to a lesser extent. But does the nut itself really make a noticeable difference in tone?

Since I changed all three components at the same time the effect was cumulative. I cannot say which component made the biggest difference in sound quality. All I know is that my guitar sounds very different now and I love it.

[sharkydude50]

Originally Posted by TokyoNeko

But does the nut itself really make a noticeable difference in tone?

Not unless you play open cords the majority of the time. Once you barre cord the nut comes out of the tonal equation. The plastic nut on my old Guild 12 used to sqeek when I adjusted the strings, so I replaced it with bone (as well as the plastic bridge pins). The tone is better now with the bone.

[bryankimsey]

I really disagree about the nut only affecting open notes. Put a capo on the second fret (thereby mimicking a barre chord, only better). Now reach back and rest your hand lightly on the tuners. Strum. You'll feel the tuners vibrate- why?

Also, if the string is totally dead after being fretted, why do we get back buzzes (buzzes between the fretted string and nut)? The more of those vibrations that you catch and channel into the neck the more alive the guitar is going to feel.

But again... make a nut out of cardboard or modeling clay or something you can work with and see what happens. I know positively that I used to say exactly the same thing about the nut's lack of effect on sound. In '98-ish, I had an OM-28VR that I played for a year with the stock nut. Then I had a little free time and went ahead and made a bone nut for it to match the saddle. Made a difference, so- since I had the original- I switched the nuts back and forth, using a wedge under the strings so that I didn't even have to slack tension on the strings. Even with a capo on the 2nd fret, there was something going on.

Now, is the nut really, really important? No, of course not. It's minor, but it is there.

[joejeweler]

Yeah,....but the elephant ivory w/ small abalone dot look SO cool!

........and with the hard african ivory saddle the sound is top notch also!

I had Bob send me 3 of those saddles for a few of my Taylors. I only have one done so far (my straight acoustic Taylor XXX-BE), and i fitted a new set of the abalone dod ivory pins also on that one. It sounds super,.....with added sustain.

I still have the saddle to replace on my 1995 912C and a custom NAMM brazilian nylon string with engleman top, once i get the time.

Originally Posted by zombywoof

In 45 years, I have not heard any appreciable difference in sound when going from one pin material to another.

[Compurocker]

Bob Colosi told me the sound difference is most noticeable when changing the Saddle from say plastic to Bone. Many people change the Pins to Bone as well for aesthetic reasons and possibly a slight change in sound and they will not wear as fast as plastic that is for sure. He said also often he will take a Taylor for instance and just change the Saddle because the Nut changing the sound is negligible.He will wait to change the Nut until the one that came on the Guitar wears out. I find Bob Colosi to have the highest quality Stuff and he is super nice and always willing to chat on the phone to answer any questions you may have. You will also find a lot of people who are perfectly happy with the Tusq Nuts/Saddles and Ebony Pins that come on many Guitars.

[djh1765]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

In 45 years, I have not heard any appreciable difference in sound when going from one pin material to another.

I agree no appreciable difference can I hear either.
djh

[MikeBmusic]

Originally Posted by djh1765

I agree no appreciable difference can I hear either.
djh

You exhumed a 6-year-old thread to say this?

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

You exhumed a 6-year-old thread to say this?

Mike, he likely found this thread using a search, and didn't pay attention to the date.

But what's wrong with piggy-backing off an old discussion anyway? It's still relevant to today. I see this happen quite often on AGF, and the earth has yet to fall out of orbit

[MBE]

I have always been happy with Colosi bone saddles - have 4 of them in fact. I am not comfortable dealing in any kind of ivory for personal reasons, and the superb tone of the bone saddles has never left anything to be desired.

[djh1765]

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

You exhumed a 6-year-old thread to say this?

MikeBmusic,

What in the world are you talking about? I was merely agreeing with a comment made by zombywoof in his post above.

Take an aspirin and then take a nap...

[tnvol]

I never noticed any change in tone, but I do love the way ebony pins look and have made the switch on a few guitars..

[cugir321]

Originally Posted by Shadowraptor

I am (finally) changing the strings on my Yamaha FG-730. While I have the strings off, I would like to update the bridge pins with something other than plastic. I see many of these on the net, but I am not sure of the correct size or configuration for the Yamaha. I have also heard that the material can make a difference in the sound.

Can anyone help?

Thanks much.

There's a reason yamaha uses plastic up to the LL56 top of the line. It saves the sound board over time....pins bead instead of wood getting chewed up.

[Russ C]

It’s the weight difference that affects sound. Different materials usually weigh different.

[Rockysdad]

OLD thread ALERT!!!!!!!!

[LFL Steve]

It’s a VINTAGE thread. Highly desirable.