Can Anyone Recommend Bridge Pins for a 76 D55?

[1976GuildD55]

I appreciate all the ideas about fitting the pins. Sanding sounds most appealing to me. I would have a hard time reaming the pin holes on such an old guitar (just sentimentally speaking). I do like the idea of trying this on another of my acoustic guitars that I am less concerned about. It would be a good idea to have the reamers spoken of. And I think the calipers are long overdue, Br1ck!

 

[SJS]

This is a great question. It certainly got me to thinking about my bridge pins. These are on my 1978 D35. I recently had a compensated saddle put on and learned that Guild is a bit slimmer fit and needed some shaping. Got me to wondering about just running down to the music store and grabbing 6 out of a drawer. So should I look for a different size for this guitar? Guess I've been lucky all these years in replacing them.

 

[1976GuildD55]

Mine work but being plastic and original, they are twisted. They work just fine. I was thinking a different material and better looking set would be a nice upgrade. A little bling for the old girl. I like those D35’s!

 

[1976GuildD55]

Your pins look really nice!

 

[West R Lee]

I appreciate all the ideas about fitting the pins. Sanding sounds most appealing to me. I would have a hard time reaming the pin holes on such an old guitar (just sentimentally speaking). I do like the idea of trying this on another of my acoustic guitars that I am less concerned about. It would be a good idea to have the reamers spoken of. And I think the calipers are long overdue, Br1ck!

This is what Bob Colosi can do. Just a great guy to deal with and a heck of a craftsman. These are dyed bone.



West

 

[1976GuildD55]

This is what Bob Colosi can do. Just a great guy to deal with and a heck of a craftsman. These are dyed bone.



West

I would be comfortable having do them, now that you mention it. Guess I would send him one or trace it, measure it, and then let him craft the perfect pins. I will check back on the prices. Thanks West!

 

[West R Lee]

I would be comfortable having do them, now that you mention it. Guess I would send him one or trace it, measure it, and then let him craft the perfect pins. I will check back on the prices. Thanks West!

Most guitars have a pin size. Bob has a pin chart on his site. I think mine for my Collings guitars were 4.2 if I recall correctly. Just call him, he'll know, then you can give him your card over the phone or send him a check. If you pay over the phone, you'll get them faster. Bob's a great guy, and has almost every style or material pin available.

In looking at the chart, he lists Guild sizes as "various". Just call him, and I'll bet he'll have you send what you have to him. OR you can measure.

Home - Guitar Saddles

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West

 

[1976GuildD55]

Most guitars have a pin size. Bob has a pin chart on his site. I think mine for my Collings guitars were 4.2 if I recall correctly. Just call him, he'll know, then you can give him your card over the phone or send him a check. If you pay over the phone, you'll get them faster. Bob's a great guy, and has almost every style or material pin available.

In looking at the chart, he lists Guild sizes as "various". Just call him, and I'll bet he'll have you send what you have to him. OR you can measure.

Home - Guitar Saddles

Handmade Guitars Saddles, Picks, Bones and Accessories.

www.guitarsaddles.com

West

West, Thanks for the great advice!

 

[HeyMikey]

I found it best to take measurements of ALL your pins based on the instructions on Bob’s site, send him your measurements, and he will tell you what size he recommends.

 

[1976GuildD55]

Thank you, HeyMikey!

 

[1976GuildD55]

I gave Bob a call and left a message to chat about the pins.

Question: What material was standard in the 70’s on my D55 for the saddle? Tell me they were using bone, not plastic? The pins being plastic… Anyway, it is a polished look. And I was curious. I recently had my frets filed, leveled and crowned, along with a set up. So I was curious about what Guild in Rhode Island was using for the saddle, and nut too, for that matter. Some of you have more knowledge than I. I just played her for 47 years and never gave these things a thought. Thanks for all the great info!

 

[SJS]

This is a great question. It certainly got me to thinking about my bridge pins. These are on my 1978 D35. I recently had a compensated saddle put on and learned that Guild is a bit slimmer fit and needed some shaping. Got me to wondering about just running down to the music store and grabbing 6 out of a drawer. So should I look for a different size for this guitar? Guess I've been lucky all these years in replacing them.

So sorry... just noticed in my post and picture that I stated my guitar was a D35. Duh...was thinking of the OP and typing away. My guitar is a 1978 G37. I'm guessing the bridge pins are plastic on a 70s guitar. Some great info here.

 

[chazmo]

I gave Bob a call and left a message to chat about the pins.

Question: What material was standard in the 70’s on my D55 for the saddle? Tell me they were using bone, not plastic? The pins being plastic… Anyway, it is a polished look. And I was curious. I recently had my frets filed, leveled and crowned, along with a set up. So I was curious about what Guild in Rhode Island was using for the saddle, and nut too, for that matter. Some of you have more knowledge than I. I just played her for 47 years and never gave these things a thought. Thanks for all the great info!

I think Micarta. Not at all sure.

 

[1976GuildD55]

Thank you, Chazmo. I will have to Google that substance. Not familiar though I have heard it mentioned.

I got ahold of Bob Colosi and he was just great to talk with. He wanted photos and he is going to determine the pins I need. Really nice guy!

 

[chazmo]

I think Micarta. Not at all sure.

Bone is really your safest bet for saddle/nut replacements, @1976GuildD55 . Most luthiers use that and it's pretty easy to cut compensating grooves, etc.

But, while you're talking with Bob Colosi, you can certainly get a treatise on the subject from him. He's truly the expert. He might recommend something else. I've heard of some fossilized materials, but I think it's just because people like saying "dude, I got fossilized walrus ivory on this thing; once you go walrus..."

 

[1976GuildD55]

So sorry... just noticed in my post and picture that I stated my guitar was a D35. Duh...was thinking of the OP and typing away. My guitar is a 1978 G37. I'm guessing the bridge pins are plastic on a 70s guitar. Some great info here.

I love those G37's with the maple back and sides! Remember them well in the 70's. Several artists I watched played one. Nice ax, SJS!

 

[WaltW]

with all this information and likes and wants circulating in this topic I went and checked out Bob Colosi's website. I have plastic pins on my 1986 Gruhn/Guild D66 which I want to replace. I'm thinking Buffalo Horn with Abalone dots. I did notice that there is a note that states he cannot ship any kind of Ivory out of the state of Georgia. There must be regulations controlling the sales of Ivory of any kind.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

I think Micarta. Not at all sure.

I am. You are correct, Charlie, saddles were made of Micarta. The material was (is) a thermoset plastic. Today we use important words such as pre-preg, phenolic, polymer, carbon fiber, etc to describe similar materials. Micarta was an early version of these composite materials. Pretty effective stuff. Think: before TUSQ there was Micarta!

 

[1976GuildD55]

I am. You are correct, Charlie, saddles were made of Micarta. The material was (is) a thermoset plastic. Today we use important words such as pre-preg, phenolic, polymer, carbon fiber, etc to describe similar materials. Micarta was an early version of these composite materials. Pretty effective stuff. Think: before TUSQ there was Micarta!

I understand some of the USA made Taylor models use micarta for the saddle.

 

[chazmo]

I understand some of the USA made Taylor models use micarta for the saddle.

And I know they've used TUSQ as well.

Again, for a saddle replacement, go upscale with bone... (or whatever Bob Colosi says).