minorkey
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Too many instruments, too little time
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My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
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Post by minorkey on Sept 10, 2021 17:24:37 GMT
Put the new Martin Monels on the Fender dread. (13-56) God I had a right job getting the bloody pins out. The 6th string pin came out easily enough but the others were not having it. I have a Dunlop winder/extractor tool but I had to go under the soundhole and tap them from below. That made me feel a bit nervous. Then it was time to string up. Now when the pins came out the grooves were at the front of the pin, towards the soundhole. So I push the ball end into the hole, lining the string up with said groove and pulled. Even so, I had to push the pins in firmly during tuning up, as they had crept upwards slightly. Its the Tanglewood's turn tomorrow... Love the sound of new strings...
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Post by grayn on Sept 10, 2021 18:42:00 GMT
I know a lot of people go on about quality wood pins or even brass pins but i find plastic pins always stay in better, when I re-string.
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minorkey
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Too many instruments, too little time
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My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
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Post by minorkey on Sept 10, 2021 18:55:52 GMT
I know a lot of people go on about quality wood pins or even brass pins but i find plastic pins always stay in better, when I re-string. Yea these are plain black plastic pins. I replaced them with black plastic ones with a white dot, from Wish. I would like some nice wooden ones but I lack funds
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Sept 10, 2021 21:49:18 GMT
Two most common reasons, either or both of which may be the problem, for pins to rise up when tuning up new strings - i) the ball end is lifting the end of the pin. Easily avoided by putting a bend in the string just before the ball end, and insert so the ball end points in the direction of the headstock, gently pull string up until you feel the ball end contacting the bridgeplate - hold string there whilst inserting the pin fully. Check that string won't pull up any more whilst keeping a finger on the pin. ii) the extra wound bit of the string that should sit in the bridge pin slot is binding on the pin and lifting it. Again, easily fixed by widening and/or deepening the slot to accomodate this thicker part of the string. Keeping a finger gently on the pin whilst tuning to pitch is often necessary until the string has been tightened enough to conform to the straight line through the pin. Once there is enough tension on the string it is not the pin that holds the string in place, but the string that holds the pin in place because of the angles involved. When you do a string change the pins should be just about removable with finger and thumb with no recourse to levering them with anything At your next string change, try the pins in the holes with no strings - they should be easy to seat fully and seem even a little loose. If they are tight without strings then the bridge holes may need attention, or possibly the pins have the incorrect taper. If they are difficult to seat with a string in place then point ii certainly applies. Hope that helps. Keith
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Post by grayn on Sept 11, 2021 5:43:28 GMT
All very good advice Keith. I still think that plastic pins seem to be more inclined not to rise up, when the strings are tightened. It may be that plastic will stay the same, whereas wood, as we know, can vary in different conditions. I haven't been putting the bend in my strings but always try to have the ball end sideways on, like in your diagram. Seems to keep thigs nice and easy.
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Post by surfguy13 on Sept 12, 2021 7:12:09 GMT
Two most common reasons, either or both of which may be the problem, for pins to rise up when tuning up new strings - i) the ball end is lifting the end of the pin. Easily avoided by putting a bend in the string just before the ball end, and insert so the ball end points in the direction of the headstock, gently pull string up until you feel the ball end contacting the bridgeplate - hold string there whilst inserting the pin fully. Check that string won't pull up any more whilst keeping a finger on the pin. ii) the extra wound bit of the string that should sit in the bridge pin slot is binding on the pin and lifting it. Again, easily fixed by widening and/or deepening the slot to accomodate this thicker part of the string. Keeping a finger gently on the pin whilst tuning to pitch is often necessary until the string has been tightened enough to conform to the straight line through the pin. Once there is enough tension on the string it is not the pin that holds the string in place, but the string that holds the pin in place because of the angles involved. View AttachmentWhen you do a string change the pins should be just about removable with finger and thumb with no recourse to levering them with anything At your next string change, try the pins in the holes with no strings - they should be easy to seat fully and seem even a little loose. If they are tight without strings then the bridge holes may need attention, or possibly the pins have the incorrect taper. If they are difficult to seat with a string in place then point ii certainly applies. Hope that helps. Keith Really helpful advice Keith, I will definitely put a bend on the string before the ball end in future.
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Post by peterh on Sept 12, 2021 11:16:19 GMT
Hello all
I really like all of Kieth's advice. and worked really well yesteray, ..and I can add some other help too because I could see that the bass E pin was fine but I coudln't see the string wrap which meant I needed too take the pin out and sort it.
This would not be aproblem because i saw Dave, at Frailers a few years ago, took out all the pins whilst leaving all the strings on, but very slack, then just replaced the strings and pins re tuned an all was fine. I 've done it loads of times since.
So I think you can check the pins all at once or one at a time and do'nt actually have to have to wait for a string change I use a planet waves headstock holder tablecloth
.Hope that might help ...
Regards Peter
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Post by curmudgeon on Sept 14, 2021 13:14:51 GMT
I recommend the Music Nomad MN219 Pin extractor - best tool I've found for ages.
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stringdriventhing
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Post by stringdriventhing on Sept 14, 2021 13:39:55 GMT
I recommend the Music Nomad MN219 Pin extractor - best tool I've found for ages. I've got one of those - it's great! I bought one for my daughter too.
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walkingdecay
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Post by walkingdecay on Sept 21, 2021 11:19:14 GMT
I use a teaspoon placed bowl-down against the saddle to lever out stubborn bridge pins. No sharp edges and steady leverage make teaspoons seem designed for the job.
People may wonder why you carry one in your guitar case, mind, so it's probably a good idea to carry a revolver in there as well, to distract them from the notion that you could be a druggie.
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minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
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Post by minorkey on Sept 21, 2021 12:40:49 GMT
I use a teaspoon placed bowl-down against the saddle to lever out stubborn bridge pins. No sharp edges and steady leverage make teaspoons seem designed for the job. People may wonder why you carry one in your guitar case, mind, so it's probably a good idea to carry a revolver in there as well, to distract them from the notion that you could be a druggie. Hmm, I'll have to try that. Will have to err sneak one out of the cutlery drawer...
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Sept 21, 2021 13:02:57 GMT
I used the teaspoon method for years and always worked with no damage to the saddle. In last 5 ears or so though I've treated myself to a plastic string windder which works well as a string winder and also has a little tool on the handle to ease under the pins (like you would with a spoon). Possibly even better as it's plastic. Again, no damage.
FFJ
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Post by Onechordtrick on Sept 21, 2021 13:52:18 GMT
I use a teaspoon placed bowl-down against the saddle to lever out stubborn bridge pins. No sharp edges and steady leverage make teaspoons seem designed for the job. People may wonder why you carry one in your guitar case, mind, so it's probably a good idea to carry a revolver in there as well, to distract them from the notion that you could be a druggie. Hmm, I'll have to try that. Will have to err sneak one out of the cutlery drawer... You keep your revolvers in the cutlery drawer?
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minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
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Post by minorkey on Sept 21, 2021 23:33:42 GMT
Hmm, I'll have to try that. Will have to err sneak one out of the cutlery drawer... You keep your revolvers in the cutlery drawer? Where else would you keep it? All that shiny metal, perfect disguise
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