Official Luthiers Forum!

I recently completed my first guitar and am having it finished. I used the temporary bridge screws that stew mac has to initially set it up and check out prior to finishing and just have cheap plastic slotted pins now. I have a bone nut and saddle on the guitar, and was going to go with nicer bridge pins like bone, ivroid or maybe try the fossilized walrus that mickelson has.

Here's my question, is it better to slot the bridge pin itself or should I get unslotted pins and slot the bridge, just curious what the thinking is out there on this.

Thanks,

_________________
_____________________________

Kurt Thomas

"There's a first time for everything even if you do it by mistake."

Slot the bridge.

Hi Kurt and welcome to the OLF!

We recently had a lively discussion on this very topic and you can find it here:

http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13184 &KW=bridge+pins#forumTop

It's great to see you here.

I think everyone should slot the pins. It guarantees me plenty of repair
work down the road.

_________________
Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

Like Grumpy said slot the bridge not the pins Personally I feel you get better ball to bridgeplate contact with unslotted pins but you want the ball to be locked between the bridgeplate and pin not the string., properly slotting the bridge is important.

If I could give a recommendation on what pins let me say, for the money you get your best bang out of bone. FWI are beautiful and do good job but for far less money bone is very comparable. as is Black horn

Woods like Snakewood, Ebony and Rosewood are nice as well.

I just have a hard time spending near $200 on a set of pins, though I have to admit that I have.

Thanks for the warm welcome guys and guidance, it's really appreciated.

_________________
_____________________________

Kurt Thomas

"There's a first time for everything even if you do it by mistake."