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I have a Martin J40 that I have been using to model the two J40s that I am building. One thing I noticed is that the bridge pin holes have no string slots. Why? What role do they play other than adjusting the break angle on the strings? And, could someone remnd me what a good break angle range is?

Mike

In the Martin universe, the strin gclots cut into the bridge allos the ball end of the string to bear on the bridge plate, and not ride up into the larger hole that would be in the pin. It really does keep the bridge plate in better shape.

I always hear near 45 degrees is good for break angle. Of course, if you have a compensated saddle, and straight pins, that angle will vary somewhat from high e to Low E.

Mike

Only on vintage Martins Mikey
These days Martins have a straight untapered hole
Ramps cut into the top of the bridge are basically for adjusting break angle.
Slots cut all the way through to the bridge plate and used with unslotted pins are to improve the seating of the ball ends on the bridge plate

They use slotted pins. Slotted holes let you use un slotted pins. Better for the guitar and pins all around in my mind.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Whilst the original post talks about slots, I think it is really referring to what most of us would call "string ramps" cut from the top of the hole towards the saddle.
A slot should go all the way down to the bridge plate to allow the use of unslotted pins.

Ok. I'm still wondering if they play a role in the sound. I still have a nut seating issue I'm workin to resolve. But part of that resolution seems to have solved my high e muted sound. And, it could solve the B. But not sure ur will help the A. So I was wondering if slots affected sound. Muting to be specific.

Mike

By the way, it could be the break angle and slots on the nut...

Bryan Kimsey has a great section on his website about this. Lots of other good info, too.

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.

IIRC John Hall and Alan Carruth did some tests on break angle and concluded that break angle had very little to do with tone. In fact I think they said as long as the string could maintain contact with the bridge, that tone remained quite stable. I must confess that I do try to maintain an even break over angle of approximately 45 degrees on all strings. Hopefully one of them will come by and concur or correct me. As to slotted holes, I use them on all guitars because I think this lets the string ball seat better on the bridge plate, which may or may not help tone a bit and it helps prevent the plate from getting chewed up over time.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Tom, I remember it that way too. At least I think I do. Hopefully they will chime in.

Mike, Is your muted sound only on open strings or also fretted ones?

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

HAHA Jeff, don't get me started on "new" Martins.

But you're absolutely correct. Martin no longer does this, except on the Authentic line. Easily corrected with some little saws and a few files.

IMO, going with slotted bridge could/should create a difference in tone, not sure if it's noticeable though.