Gilliangirl Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I know, I know, another bridge pin thread, but bear (bare? beer? bair?) with me here. Being rather impulsive and impatient, I decided I couldn't wait til the weekend to put the new saddle (which will require a custom fitting/sanding)and pins in Elmo, complete with new strings. So, because I don't have any spare strings lying around, I gently loosened the ones currently on the guitar and started putting the pins on one by one. Let me tell you, if you don't think bridge pins make a difference in tone, try just putting one or two on, then play a few songs. You will be convinced. I can DEFINITELY hear a difference. I put the new bone pins on the high and low E strings, and the sound of those strings popped out very clearly when strummed, compared to the others. I admit I was a believer before, but this really solidified it for me. Try it, you'll be sold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack6849 Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Karen, The scientific method at work. What a great way to set up your experiment. Just one variable! And your results are from a direct comparison in real time! You go, girl... I'm convinced. (I always was... my Colosi bridge pins sure make my guitars sound better to me.) But your "experiment" really seems to me to be as valid a test as I think there could be. Good for you! Jack6849 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted August 5, 2010 Author Share Posted August 5, 2010 Scientific method.... yes! Everything remained the same except the pins! Do you think I'll go down in the annals of guitar history for finally proving my theory? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dove Histronic Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 The Elvis paraphernalia peeking out in your Elmo pin photo gives you instant credibility, and assures us that all you say is true... Scientifically, your achievement transcends the musical realm and places you on par with Einstein, Newton, and whoever invented high fiber Pop Tarts... Be sure to post pics when shopping with the Nobel prize money... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 One time I put those gold anodized aluminum pins* in my J200 and I heard a big difference in tone but I had also put new strings on (duh). * or whatever they are.... I ended up putting the original raggedyass rosewood pins back in. Now you're making me want to try Cadillacolosi pins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Congrats on the new hardware! Whether pins make a sonic difference or not (I think they do), it just ain't right for a finely constructed instrument to be wearing plastic on the bridge. Kinda like fine jewelry on a pretty woman - it just looks right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suburude63 Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 BC pins rock Karen ! B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Player Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I am and always will be a believer GG..... B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryp58 Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I am and always will be a believer GG..... Me, too!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr newhaven Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 i called Bob Colosi about my 72 Yamaha FG-130...(i know its not a gibson...but i just traded in my LG-2 to get my ES-335!!) and Bob was the man! first off...its almost impossible to find any real info on Green Label Nippon Gakki guitars... i fell in love with them after borrowing my buddies FG-160e (the fake gibson) but they sound great! i think i am just going to send everything i got to Bob and just have him fit them up... but Karen, this convinces me further to get it done sooner rather than later! thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 At first glance I thought Elmo was a tenor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I am glad you are happy but I remain a skeptic. Over the past 50 or so years I have tried every kind of pin out there. What I kinda figured along the way was that it was not the material they were made out of as much as having proper fitting pins which becomes an issue when you start getting pin hole wear. About my only real epiphany regarding bridges and such has been when you are dealing with a floating bridge, ebony does a heck of alot better job at transmitting vibration than rosewood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 GG - Nice job on your experiment. I believe your conclusion is correct. I recently got a set of BC bone saddle/pins for my SJ200. Now it's gotta be bone or fossilized bone/ivory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack6849 Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Karen, I think there can be little doubt that when the history of "bridge pin science" is finally written, your name will occupy a prominent place in that account. Let's remember that Einstein was but a patent clerk when he offered up his first ground-breaking papers on general relativity. His early work rocked the world of science. Now, just as then with Dr. Einstein, it's simply impossible for any of us to say exactly where further research in this area might lead you. Likewise, the full ramifications of your initial findings may only become clear with the passage of time. For now, I think it's a safe bet that the rigorous methodology you have demonstrated, combined with your obvious persistence, will have to be acknowledged as fundamental, when viewed by future generations of bridge pin enthusiasts. I, for one, am proud to say that I was among those who were there when the results of this important study were first offered to the public by you (and, of course, by Elmo....). Sincere thanks to you both, Jack6849 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drathbun Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 i called Bob Colosi about my 72 Yamaha FG-130...(i know its not a gibson...but i just traded in my LG-2 to get my ES-335!!)and Bob was the man! first off...its almost impossible to find any real info on Green Label Nippon Gakki guitars... i fell in love with them after borrowing my buddies FG-160e (the fake gibson) but they sound great! i think i am just going to send everything i got to Bob and just have him fit them up... but Karen' date=' this convinces me further to get it done sooner rather than later! thanks guys![/quote'] My '68 Yamaha FG150 Red Label now has a bone saddle and nut, but still has plastic pins. I've just purchased some rosewood pins for it. I know it isn't very scientific (unlike GG's experiment) but it seems to me, the harder the material the string bears over (nut and saddle) and against (bridge and pins) the more the string vibrations will transfer to the top. I'm sure there is physics out there somewhere that would support this. In the whole nut - saddle - pins equation, the nut and saddle will be most effective. The pins not as much. That's my $0.02 worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sorad Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Ive done mods and things on my cheaper guitars but if I buy B.C pins would I have to mod anything I have a 2008 j45 standard. With the saddle I understand I will have to adjust the height Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Ive done mods and things on my cheaper guitars but if I buy B.C pins would I have to mod anything I have a 2008 j45 standard. With the saddle I understand I will have to adjust the height You can buy an already made up saddle from BC and sand down the bottom yourself (BC includes great instructions). Or send BC your saddle and he will reproduce the shape and height and ship both back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 You know GG, you may have stumbled on to something VERY interesting here. I have one guiitar where the E and B string just seem to ring out more so than the other strings, and as the strings get older, and the wound strings loose their vitality, it seems to even get more pronounced. By experimenting with different pins, I might be able to "balance" the guitar sound somewhat, so this may be just the thing!!! Thanks.....and the different types of pins will just make for good conversation. Kind of looks interesting on your photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sorad Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 kk awesome thanks any tips on what pin size to order? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonCarlos Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 I have a J45 MC 2008, My pin size was 2A. Here is a short discussion on the pins and as mentioned you can always contact Bob first if you want. http://forums.gibson.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=30330 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sorad Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.