Bridge pins wont stay down

[Standard 64]

I bought a epiphone masterbilt 500 acoustic.When I go to change the strings,I put the string in the hole,push the bridge pin in,then pull the string but the pin wont stay down when I start tuning up.I tried putting the ball end of the string at the bottom of the pin also at the top.I tried twisting the pin while pushing down on it and pulling up on the string.What gives?I have changed strings many times on my taylors,ibanezes,etc.

[thesedaze]

The thing I've noticed about the Chinese made solidwood guitars (particularly Alvarez, which I own) is the lack of a really solid connection at the bridge. I'm looking to upgrade to some bone bridge pins...

[Standard 64]

Originally Posted by thesedaze

The thing I've noticed about the Chinese made solidwood guitars (particularly Alvarez, which I own) is the lack of a really solid connection at the bridge. I'm looking to upgrade to some bone bridge pins...

So buying bone pins will solve the problem?

[thesedaze]

Originally Posted by Standard 64

So buying bone pins will solve the problem?

Not necessarily...I'm doing it to mine for a more solid connection,and the bone tone...The pins that came w/ my guitar are pretty cheap.

Your situation sounds like something different though...My strings stay in fine, there's just not a really solid connection as there would be with a stiffer material.

Does your guitar have a truss rod? You might need an adjustment.

[mikeo2]

I believe it has something to do with how the pins and string balls "click" into place inside the bridge. I think higher end acoustics are better designed. Sometimes I've found that you can force the string ball up into the slot of the pin by pulling on it (while pushing down with your thumb), and it will help cheaper acoustics keep the pins in the bridge.

[Standard 64]

Originally Posted by mikeo2

I believe it has something to do with how the pins and string balls "click" into place inside the bridge. I think higher end acoustics are better designed. Sometimes I've found that you can force the string ball up into the slot of the pin by pulling on it (while pushing down with your thumb), and it will help cheaper acoustics keep the pins in the bridge.

Been their done that.No matter how hard I push down,when I start tuning up,the pin pops up.So aggravating.Any more ideas???

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Standard 64

Been their done that.No matter how hard I push down,when I start tuning up,the pin pops up.So aggravating.Any more ideas???

Maybe the pins are just too narrow for the size holes drilled thus causing this problem,

[Junebug]

I had the same problem develop on 2 different Guild guitars. I just got a new set of inexpensive pins (Martins) and they worked fine. For a quick temporary fix I wrapped a piece of scotch tape around the pin. Just one wrap was all it took.

[Standard 64]

Originally Posted by Luke

Maybe the pins are just too narrow for the size holes drilled thus causing this problem,

This is supposed to be a MASTERBILT guitar!!!!I guess I'll try different pins.Are they all the same sizewise?

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Standard 64

This is supposed to be a MASTERBILT guitar!!!!I guess I'll try different pins.Are they all the same sizewise?

Well if they can't spell masterbuilt it does not surprise me the pin size is off.

[Rusty]

If the pegs have the groove in them down the length of the shaft where you line up the string, just turn the pegs 180 degrees so the groove is facing towards the back of the guitar and insert them that way. Should fix your problem.

[Standard 64]

Originally Posted by Rusty

If the pegs have the groove in them down the length of the shaft where you line up the string, just turn the pegs 180 degrees so the groove is facing towards the back of the guitar and insert them that way. Should fix your problem.

I'll try that before I buy new pins.Thanks.

[MichaelK]

I think it's a matter of several things, mainly the angle of the holes and the pins being sized properly. When I had that problem with my wife's Larrivée Joe Glaser fixed it by actually filling the holes in somewhat and re-shaping them, as he didn't have the right sized pins in stock.

Proper pin fit is essential to good tone, a hell of a lot more than fossilized whale dick or whatever is the latest "bridge pin substance du jour." Dan Erlewine's book The Guitar Player Repair Guide has excellent illustrations of good and bad bridge pin fits. I highly recommend it and highly recommend getting the problem fixed (whatever it turnes out to be) rather than trying to force the pins to stay put.

[tac5]

Actually, it is not the bridge pins that secure the string ends to the bridge. The sound board actually should grab the round ends and pull them against the wood. The pins are actually guides that push against these ends to anchor them against the soundboard. One solution I've always had success with is to bend the ball end of the string a bit (angled toward the headstock) while inserting the pins and tuning up.
Older guitars may have worn soundboard slots that need to be addressed, but a new guitar may just need to have these slots broken in a little in order to grab the string end properly. Give it a try. It might just be a simple fix.

[Evan Gluck]

"FOSSILIZED WHALE DICK"!! Thank you for making my day!
Best, Evan