Brass bridge pins

msteurbaut · October 11th, 2006, 05:30 AM

I have a Yamaha LL16.

It's a great guitar for the money. I like it's overall sound, but since I'm playing fingerstyle, the treble strings could use a boost to sound more like a parlour guitar. It occured to me that using brass bridge pins on the treble strings should add some sparkle to their sound.
And they really do!
Did anyone else try this?

guitar mike · October 24th, 2006, 05:12 PM

have brass pins on my washburn and it sounds so much better.

3StringGuitar · October 24th, 2006, 10:22 PM

I've been meaning to pick some up actually. A long while back I saw a site that sold a brass saddle, wish I could find it again, anyone have an idea or has anyone seen these?

Rob DiStefano · October 25th, 2006, 08:15 AM

As a skeptic, I tried out solid brass string pins in a variety of different flat tops, from parlor to drednought, and never heard one iota of difference in tone. To me, it's just more hype than happening. YMMV.

FWIW, D'Andrea has the brass pins, and are the ones I used - available at yer friendly MF/GC for $10.

msteurbaut · October 25th, 2006, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

As a skeptic, I tried out solid brass string pins in a variety of different flat tops, from parlor to drednought, and never heard one iota of difference in tone. To me, it's just more hype than happening. YMMV.

FWIW, D'Andrea has the brass pins, and are the ones I used - available at yer friendly MF/GC for $10.

Logically, there's no reason why brass pins should affect the sound, but I can hear a difference. Maybe the added mass to the bridge is causing it?

Rob DiStefano · October 25th, 2006, 08:33 AM

Added mass weight? No, methinks maybe it's the placebo effect. Sometimes you can hear what you wanna hear.

msteurbaut · October 25th, 2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Added mass weight? No, methinks maybe it's the placebo effect. Sometimes you can hear what you wanna hear.

lol

Bob Mc · October 26th, 2006, 07:06 PM

I tried them and they did affect the tone, but adversly on my Martin (plywood top). I bought some Tusq pins and upon opening the package noticed that they 'clinked' like two glasses when they bumped into each other. Very high pitch but noticable. The percieved affect is that they allow the notes to ring more clearly.
Could be that they just seat better then the stock plastic ones.
They're darn cheap too, I think $15.

Stuco · October 26th, 2006, 08:22 PM

Bone is good, lightweight, tuff, look good, Possibly sound a little better than plastic, etc.

On the brass saddle, how fun would that be to shape and intonate etc!

adrifter2 · December 29th, 2006, 09:40 PM

The best brass string pins you can buy, are the Carrico brass bridge pins. If you check out their web site, you will see the difference as to how these pins will fit your acoustic bridge.
The bridge pin holes in your guitar bridge must be enlarged to accept the straight shaft size of the Carrico pins.
Then install the pins with a new set of strings.
You definately will notice an improvemrent in tone if you have a good sounding acoustic guitar allready.
It's good idea to have an experienced guitar repair-luthier to do the installation.
The bridge pin holes must be drilled out a little at a time with different size drill bits, to reach the Carrico pin shaft size.

JamonHamon · January 13th, 2007, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrifter2

The best brass string pins you can buy, are the Carrico brass bridge pins. If you check out their web site, you will see the difference as to how these pins will fit your acoustic bridge.
The bridge pin holes in your guitar bridge must be enlarged to accept the straight shaft size of the Carrico pins.
Then install the pins with a new set of strings.
You definately will notice an improvemrent in tone if you have a good sounding acoustic guitar allready.
It's good idea to have an experienced guitar repair-luthier to do the installation.
The bridge pin holes must be drilled out a little at a time with different size drill bits, to reach the Carrico pin shaft size.

I have these on my Washburn its the best sounding!!!...

franchelB · January 13th, 2007, 12:34 PM

we don't need no stinkin' brass pins!
Actually, my Taylors as bright enough to where I'd rather have wooden pins to lessen the brightness.

October 11th, 2006, 05:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
msteurbaut Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 608	Brass bridge pins I have a Yamaha LL16. It's a great guitar for the money. I like it's overall sound, but since I'm playing fingerstyle, the treble strings could use a boost to sound more like a parlour guitar. It occured to me that using brass bridge pins on the treble strings should add some sparkle to their sound. And they really do! Did anyone else try this?

October 24th, 2006, 05:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
guitar mike Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Akron, OH Age: 38 Posts: 297	have brass pins on my washburn and it sounds so much better. __________________ I do whatever my guitar tells me to.

October 24th, 2006, 10:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
3StringGuitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 623	I've been meaning to pick some up actually. A long while back I saw a site that sold a brass saddle, wish I could find it again, anyone have an idea or has anyone seen these? __________________ "I've got a beat up Silvertone amp I plug it in and it sounds like a champ It's not a Fender Tweed Deluxe It only cost me a couple o' bucks"

October 26th, 2006, 07:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,642	I tried them and they did affect the tone, but adversly on my Martin (plywood top). I bought some Tusq pins and upon opening the package noticed that they 'clinked' like two glasses when they bumped into each other. Very high pitch but noticable. The percieved affect is that they allow the notes to ring more clearly. Could be that they just seat better then the stock plastic ones. They're darn cheap too, I think $15. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

January 13th, 2007, 12:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
franchelB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irving, United States of Texas! Age: 43 Posts: 1,897	brass pins? we don't need no stinkin' brass pins! Actually, my Taylors as bright enough to where I'd rather have wooden pins to lessen the brightness.

October 25th, 2006, 08:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,919	As a skeptic, I tried out solid brass string pins in a variety of different flat tops, from parlor to drednought, and never heard one iota of difference in tone. To me, it's just more hype than happening. YMMV. FWIW, D'Andrea has the brass pins, and are the ones I used - available at yer friendly MF/GC for $10.

October 25th, 2006, 08:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,919	Added mass weight? No, methinks maybe it's the placebo effect. Sometimes you can hear what you wanna hear.

October 26th, 2006, 08:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Stuco Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: GA Posts: 3,243	Bone is good, lightweight, tuff, look good, Possibly sound a little better than plastic, etc. On the brass saddle, how fun would that be to shape and intonate etc!

December 29th, 2006, 09:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
adrifter2 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1	The best brass string pins you can buy, are the Carrico brass bridge pins. If you check out their web site, you will see the difference as to how these pins will fit your acoustic bridge. The bridge pin holes in your guitar bridge must be enlarged to accept the straight shaft size of the Carrico pins. Then install the pins with a new set of strings. You definately will notice an improvemrent in tone if you have a good sounding acoustic guitar allready. It's good idea to have an experienced guitar repair-luthier to do the installation. The bridge pin holes must be drilled out a little at a time with different size drill bits, to reach the Carrico pin shaft size.