Chopping the ends off bridge pins

If you're not careful, installing new strings can create problem that throws you out of tune or damages your bridge pin holes. Elliot John-Conry of EJC Guitars shows us an easy fix.

For more information on tools and parts:

Bridge Pin Hole Reamer

Needle Files

Bone Bridge Pins

3-Piece Inspection Mirror

3M Gold Fre-Cut Sandpaper

Snapz Bridge Pin Puller

[DrInorganick]

Tell you the truth, I actually had no idea that the ball end wasn't supposed to sit at the end of the pin, and was wondering why my cheapie acoustic guitar had weird intermittent tuning issues. Thanks for fixing my own ignorance :)

[dormont]

"Cause you never know who's going to stop by"

genius!

[noahliberman]

I've always curved the ball end slightly, and as I slowly slide the bridge pin in, I'm also pulling up on the string and can usually tell when the ball is firmly seated, right before I make the final push on the pin.

[danukenator]

This is a really good idea! No idea why I didn't think of it. I had an Washburn that had this issue.

[Macnichol]

Great info - I really like StewMac's videos.

[patricklundquist]

I angle all my pins for the reasons you give plus, there are two other problems that occur with flat pin ends. The string will be under tension before the pin decides to release and go shooting across the room which then requires crawling around with a flashlight trying to find it. The ball end under tension, slips off the pin smacking against the bridge plate cracking it. I install all the ball ends and pins and pull them tight and then, before attaching strings to tuner posts, reach inside and feel all the ball ends to make sure they are resting against the bridge plate and not hung up on a pin. Even with angled ends on the pins, I have had the ball end hang up a couple times.

[dukeofearl]

I use unslotted bridge pins. And the slot is in the guitar pin hole. When I install the strings I put them all in at once and verify that the ball end is next to the body. This allows the vibrations to transfer to the body to more efficiently. I will take your advice on the slotted pins in some of my guitars.

[scottpope]

Great idea! Also - curl the ball end of the string slightly so it will help the ball to not hang, even on a bevel.

[frederickbanjoman]

I am about to re-string two guitars. This info is very useful. As my workroom is also music/computer room, I also have mirror and two combs, despite near baldness. So thanks for the guitar tech stuff and the girl attracting tip, although frankly a guitar should be enough on its on to show mojo.🎸

[blues]

Great idea.  I'll do this next time I change any strings.  You'd think bridge pin manufacturers would simply start adding a bevel to the pins.

[mikemclenison]

My low E and A strings always make my bridge pins raise up a bit. I even use Mitchel's PlateMate so as to save the bridge plate from wear. I slightly angle the ball end toward the sound hole, insert the string and bridge pin, pull up on the string and the bridge pin is seated flush at this point with the bridge. When tuning it up the bridge pins still rise a bit. Not sure why. I use 12-54 strings now, it was worse when I used 13-56. I use the correct 5% taper bridge pins on my 2012 Martin HD-35. Have you done a video on how to keep the bridge pins perfectly seated when tuning up?

[fladification]

Why? Why don't the manufacturers just make them with the bevel in the first place?  I can't count the number of times I've seen pins pulling out from folks not putting the strings on right, this has been a problem forever, yet no one is making bridge pins that prevent it, you have to modify if you want them this way!?!?! DUMB!  They know this design is flawed, it has been since this bridge was invented, why do they not fix it? Especially when the fix is so freaking simple? This video just made me hate the acoustic guitar industry.

[acousticengineer]

Informative, useful - and funny! What is there not to like? Thanks for posting :)

[JymeBale]

Your actually supposed to cut a slight slot into the hard wood glued under the bridge so the string slides into and locks in the slot, all the pin is for is to cover the hole, this is from a Stew Mac Dvd and makes perfect sence.  The pins are not there to hold the strings in at all but too many use them for that.

[julianwarmington]

Great ideas, and very helpful advice. Thanks for the tips and well made video.

[davidhigginbotham]

Nice idea. Thank you. Perfectly presented too.

[billsgarage]

LOL loved the ending thanks so much for awesome info !

[BillyNoon]

If you drew the string the opposite way from normal and brought it back across the head of a pin, would it transferthe vibrations any better you think? Im thinking alongside those new type pics witha larger brass head...

[Goomer]

Thanks, I never knew how the ball end was supposed sit with the bridge pin.

[onpsxmember]

I just one acoustic guitar with bridge pins. When the ball end is seated, the end part of the winding before the ball end cuts in the wood around the pin holes.
Any trick to prevent that?