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Okay, I've never had a bridge pin be this stubborn before...the A string just keeps popping out when almost to pitch no matter what I do...any wisdom?

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

If it's properly seated without the string, try angling the very end of the pin, it may be hanging on the blunt end.

Perhaps the bridge string slot needs to be tweeked. Also, can you just install the A string and feel whether the ball end is seating properly?

I'm sure someone has had this problem and will post their solution.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Good point JJ. The slots on fat strings sometimes need enlarging. Especially if you use Martin Marquis which are wrapped in silk. Chunky monkeys.

I think Frank Ford shows angling the ends of pins on his website, I do it to all of mine when I change strings or build a new one.

Was that you Frank?

Larry,

Sometimes I have to bend the ball end a bit and put into the bridge so that the ball "points" toward the fretboard. Helps in keeping the ball end off the end of the pin.

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I use slotted pins, but you still need to slot the bridge/top/plate to get the string and pin to seat properly. Enlarge the slot/ramp on that string and it should stop. I dont touch the pins, you shouldnt have to.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

I've had this problem, too. I've found that if I don't see some of the string's winding peeking out of the hole, it's not seated properly. Once I get it situated properly, the pin stays put.

Well Larry, What was it?

Well, I nicked the end of the pin, bent the string a little, and "enhanced" the string slot a bit...no use taking chances, and it's fine! So, it was one of those things!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

I was playing with some friends once when a guy's pin let loose with a loud THOCK!!! It went flying. Stopped us all on the same beat!

I'm surprised it held long enough for the string to get up to pitch. I'd guess now he must have mashed the pin in.

Glad the fix was easy, Larry.

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Ouch, Pat that is bad, hope he had the bridge pin slot enlarged to correct that popping pin problem.

I remember Mark Swanson saying (I think it was Mark) that once a string has tension on it, almost up to pitch, you should be able to take the pins out and there should be no problem with the string coming out, that is a well seated string. I think it was Mario who said that the bridge pin is there to fill in the hole for proper string vibration all the way down to the bridge plate. or something like that. I believe he uses non-slotted bridge pins.

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[QUOTE=Rod True] Ouch, Pat that is bad, hope he had the bridge pin slot enlarged to correct that popping pin problem.[/QUOTE]

Rod,

He bought new pins, and probably continued to hammer them in, but no way was he going to let anybody file or saw his slots.

I like Swanson's idea, if we're talking unslotted pins! burbank38937.6165972222

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com