[PwrChord]

Yeah, I'm wicked bummed because I hate bridge pins, and I hate them hate them hate them hate them.

Got a new set of Elixirs today and tried to string em up, but the bridge pins keep popping out no matter what tutorial I follow. I've strung acoustics before, maybe it's this Alvarez that's being stupid stupid stupid stupid. They're pretty light (.013-.056 I believe) and I still only got one on right, and it buzzes without me even hitting a fret.

Does anyone have a sure-fire method for keeping the bridge pins down? I even tried a hammer and it just pushed one down and popped the other 3 in there out. what is it with these things?

Can someone help me out?

(wow i'm proud of myself, i don't have to edit this post for profanity)

[nate95366]

1) Get a guitar that doesn't use bridge pins! j/k

2) Ok....I'll be real. My guess is that you're dropping a LOT more string in the "hole" than you have to. When I re-string a bridge-pin guitar, I start at the bridge end (before threading the string through the tuning machine head up on top) and I drop the ball-end down the hole. Next, I place the first little bit of the tip of the bridge pin in the hole, holding it there. With my other hand, I pull the string up untilthe ball end meets the tip of the bridge pin. Keeping that tension, I lower the bridge pin into place (of course, aligning the groove in the pin with the string.

Then I go up to the headstock and do my thing up there. If, while I'm tightening after that, the bridge pin wants to pop out, I'll slack the string just a little bit and push the pin back down. If it's stubborn and wants to pull up every time, I'll put a little bit of force on it without slacking the string. Usually, though, it never pops up...

Hope that helps,

Nate

[LWatford]

Bridge pins don't Hold the string in. They shouldn't be very tight, just have some friction to hold the string in place. Like Nate said, there may be to much string in the hole. Put the string in, and then the peg (lightly), with the string in the groove. Then pull the string till you feel it touching the bottom of the peg. If the strings are still buzzing when you get them all on, your neck my need more relief, or higher action. Most of the time it is a matter of just letting the guitar settle in.

Lee

[Koraplayer]

I've got a Tacoma Chief guitar that doesn't use bridge pins. You just slip the ball end of the string into the slots and go. It is really simple. On my other guitar I sometimes lost the bridge pins and would have to look for a long time before I found them. I think this system works better.

[PwrChord]

Thanks all, those suggestions (with the help of a pair of pliers acting as my LEFT hand...) got the job done right. Now only the low E string jumps up a little bit, but I've been playing on it (kinda roughly I'll admit) for a day now and it's holding strong.

Thanks again!