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Hey folks,

Anyone know of a supplier who stocks bridge pins from exotics like ziricote, cocobolo, etc…?

I’m not looking to buy a bulk of them and I’m specifically looking for ziricote. I was wondering if someone has these stocked where I can order a single set.

If not, unslotted ebony waverlys are on the menu. That’s what I’ve been using for a while and seem to work fine.

Brad


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try Gurian Instruments .com

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Mike Collins

Thanks, Mike! Yes, they could do a custom bulk order but I don’t know what I would do with 144 ziricote bridge pins.

This is the time when I should have learned from Ken how to turn my own.


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The secret of turning your own: turn a whole bunch and then sort them into look-alike sets. If you set one out as a guide, you will be surprised at how easy it is to match it just by eye. A caliper helps to match the dimensions. To get the angle just right, drill and ream a piece of hardwood so that the manufactured pin that you want to copy fits the hole. Then cut the block in half vertically across the hole. When the pin you are turning fits the block when you hold it up sideways, you’re done. You can chuck small sticks in a drill press if you don’t have a lathe. Do a little experimenting. You’ll have it down in no time.

A few tips from the late, great Frank Ford. I've turned a couple of sets on my Taig but decided it was easier to buy them. http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/Produ ... rnpin.html

Like Darrel, I have turned some bridge pins on my Taig lathe in the past, and may turn more in the future. I've been buying them for the last few guitars, just to save time. I would be happy to try to turn some for you, Brad, but I might mess up a few while I am getting my sea legs again, and I am sure someone who does this for profit will be able to turn them around faster than I can. Let me know if you run out of better options, and I'll dust off the micro-lathe.

I had my BRW and African Blackwood ones turned by an OLFer who I have not seen or heard from in well over a decade so I don't think he's around anymore. I would send him blanks and he would turn them for me.

Two things I learned. First a bridge pin is so small that even though some of my guitars have BRW pins no ever notices them they are not big enough to show any grain and such. Second you can sit in front of the TV with your mico-mesh pads and a cordless drill and spin the pins into a great shine.

Anyway If BRW pins would work for you I can send you a set, N/C. Mine are 3 degree, unslotted of course and good going on using unslotted pins. Your bridge plates will thank you for a century or more as a result.