A question about guitar bridge pins

[Charlie Bernstein]

Normally, I'd ask this at Harmony Central's guitar tech forum, because the luthier who moderates it gives good advice. But I haven't been able to log in there lately - probably thanks to some "upgrades" they've done to the site.

I recently switched to bone bridge pins. They're a big improvement for the wound strings - more clarity, volume, and sustain - but the B and high E sound shrill and zithery.

So I'd like to find different pins for those two strings and am leaning toward a pair of wood pins. I've seen boxwood, ebony, rosewood, and snakewood (whatever that is) for sale online.

How do they compare? What's your advice?

Thanks!

[Dale Ludewig]

I don't see how bridge pins could make your unwound strings "zithery". If it's a constant buzzing no matter where you fret, you should check how the strings go over the saddle. If the sound goes away when you fret them, I'd suspect the nut.

[Nevin]

I agree with Dale. Bridge pin material has at most a negligible impact on sound. Proper fit of the pins and string installation is much more likely to remedy your problem.

[CarlM]

I found the bone bridge pins helped the sound on my Martin HD-28. It made the bass a lot more clear and defined and not as muddy. Like the others say, if you are getting a twanging I would look at other causes. If there is a problem with the slot in the bridge pins so the ball does not seat well it can cause that also.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Yup to all the above. There's no buzzing. It's just shrill. To me, zithers are shrill, but maybe my experience with them isn't as comprehensive as it could be. I doubt I'm alone.

And yeah, the bone pins made the wound strings much more articulate. But as I said, the two high strings are just WAY too bright for my purposes. I love twangy, I hate ice-picky.

I'll probably experiment with rosewood and ebony. And in separate test, try heavier strings.

[John Bertotti]

Have you tried wrapping the bridge pin where it enters the body with a bit of paper just to see if it dampens that bite a bit? Maybe two wraps of paper or a light piece of cloth.

[Tavy]

How strange, I haven't detected any change in sound from changing bridge pins (other than the brass ones - but that's just dumping a ton of weight on the guitar top).

I do like both bone and ebony pins though for their durability/usability.

[pops1]

Are the bone pins the same diameter and fit the same as your old pins. I am with the camp of not making a significant change in sound. I have been turning the pins around, or fitting solid pins, and slotting the hole for the string to move ahead. I have heard a nice change after the string balls are not sinking into the bridge plate.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Are the bone pins the same diameter and fit the same as your old pins. . . .

Yes.

[mandroid]

FWIW , I put wooden bridge pins in my guitar, seeming to be same wood as the bridge itself..

Guild F 30 .. original, were of course white plastic.. ..