Post by Garland on Sept 8, 2020 9:14:16 GMT -5
I've never had a pin pop out and I ain't bragging- course I have only inexpensive guitars and a lot less experience (months vs years)- I have watched videos about changing strings but that was because I was trying to get that pretty factory wrap at the tuner- and I fail at that even after having watched the videos numerous times. I've noticed the bridges are making their own slots, I guess saving me the trouble. I have heard that, I think, inevitable pin slip which makes my heart skip a beat, but, I just reseat it and hold it down for the initial tune- if it happens on subsequent tuning I just push it back in and hold it- I also feel (hand in the sound hole) to see if the pin is against the bottom of the top wood- except for the high E because even my small hands are too big at that point-I learned that from watching a video and it just made sense from a sonic as well as mechanical POV.
All that said, I do question the use of cheap plastic pins by every manufacturer that uses them. My Ibanez ALT30 is a great example- the pins are pitiful looking (first time I saw them) and I can't find dimensions on them to get replacements and they claim to have a special design- plastic is plastic, special or not. Cheap is cheap, special or not. Yes, I measured them to get an idea of what to replace them with (I didn't just fall off a turnip truck) and there is nothing available in their dimension. Oh, they do give ONE (1) extra pin when buying new- as far as keeping costs down, that is bunk. 1 cent vs 1 dollar is not going to make or break a sale- it can, however, produce a better sound- cheap plastic is cheap plastic. Good sound vs better sound is, as the old Mastercard commercial said; Pricelsss.
That's my cheap 2 cents worth
All that said, I do question the use of cheap plastic pins by every manufacturer that uses them. My Ibanez ALT30 is a great example- the pins are pitiful looking (first time I saw them) and I can't find dimensions on them to get replacements and they claim to have a special design- plastic is plastic, special or not. Cheap is cheap, special or not. Yes, I measured them to get an idea of what to replace them with (I didn't just fall off a turnip truck) and there is nothing available in their dimension. Oh, they do give ONE (1) extra pin when buying new- as far as keeping costs down, that is bunk. 1 cent vs 1 dollar is not going to make or break a sale- it can, however, produce a better sound- cheap plastic is cheap plastic. Good sound vs better sound is, as the old Mastercard commercial said; Pricelsss.
That's my cheap 2 cents worth