Bridge Pin Sizing Information
(click to enlarge)
Bone pins with 3 mm abalone dots
Many more photos below
Purchasing the correct pin size for your guitar is very important so please read carefully.
The following pin size information is accurate in regards to what sizes these guitar companies specify for their guitars however there are situations where guitars are modified during or after manufacture that cause a change in what will actually fit your particular instrument. Please also note that aging affects wood such that the pin holes can change slightly over time.
If possible, it is good to measure any pin or pins that fit your guitar with a dial caliper or a micrometer so as to obtain an accurate reading of a pin or pins that fit your instrument. The measurement you are looking for is the diameter at the top of the tapered shaft. This measurement, along with the pin information below should pinpoint exactly what size you need to order. The information below, without the measurement, is very likely to work but the measurement is added security in knowing you have selected the right pin size for your instrument.
In addition, we send an instruction sheet with each set of pins that covers the installation and proper fitting of our new pins.
Below the information on sizes will be additional information on specific guitars that you will want to read.
PIN SIZES
Pin SIZE #1 :
Used for Martin guitars that were made before 1994, also Larrivee, Blanchard, Garrison, Goodall, Ryan, Lakewood,McPherson, Santa Cruz and Taylor guitars.These also work with Collings guitars made prior to 2002. These pins have a 3 degree tapered shaft and are .210" diameter at the top of the tapered shaft just below the skirt. These pins are slotted the full length of the tapered shaft and TO the skirt but NOT through the skirt.
Pin Size 1T : Size 1 pins are slotted the full length of the tapered shaft TO the skirt but NOT through the skirt. If you need a size 1 pin that is slotted THROUGH the skirt this is known as a size 1T and is the most common size seen on Fender Acoustic guitars. You can buy one of these by purchasing a size 1 pin set on this website and then making a note (during checkout there is a place to leave us a note) and/or you can email us after your purchase, through our contact page, and let us know the set is to be slotted through the skirt. If you need an UNSLOTTED pin please email us through the contact page for availability on the size and inlay type you desire (price is same for slotted or unslotted).
PIN SIZE # 2A :
For modern Martin guitars (after 1994) and Gibson guitars. 5 degree tapered shaft. These pins are .220" diameter at the top of the tapered shaft just below the skirt. For Martin guitars see also our size 2C for additional information to help you select the right pin.
These pins are slotted the full length of the tapered shaft and THROUGH the skirt. If you need an UNSLOTTED pin please email us through the contact page for availability on the size and the inlay type you desire (price is the same for slotted or unslotted).
PIN SIZE # 2C :
If you own a newer Martin guitar chances are the bridge pins are installed so the head of the pin sticks up about 1/4" above the bridge. Our size 2A pins will fit the same way. Size 2C is the same degree of taper but with a reduced shaft diameter (.215 " diameter at the top of the tapered shaft just below the skirt) so they will sit further down in the bridge (usually flush with the bridge).
If you are seeking pins for a Martin guitar, the above sizing information should home you right in on what you need but if you have a pin or pins that fit right then you would be doing yourself a favor to measure the shaft diameter just below the skirt with a dial caliper or a micrometer. Use this measurement along with the above information to aid you in selecting the correct pin size.
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT SPECIFIC MAKES :
MARTIN GUITARS :
Martin guitars prior to 1994 are almost always size 1 which is a 3 degree pin with a measurement of .210" diameter at the top of the tapered shaft. If somebody modified the instrument it may have a different pin size but Martin was extremely consistent with this size prior to 1994.
Martin went to a size 2A some time in 1994. The size 2A is .220" diameter at the top of the tapered shaft and is a 5 degree pin. Most Martin pin holes are drilled to .215" diameter at the factory so the size 2A, at .220", will stick up about 1/4" above the bridge. Some Martin instruments were hand reamed at the factory or at a dealership to accept the industry standard 2A pin. Some were not. This is where measuring a pin that fits will come in handy and you can determine if you want a 2A (.220") or a 2C (.215"). It is our opinion that one should purchase the industry standard size 2A and if it sticks up beyond your comfort level then you should have it fitted to the instrument by sizing the holes to accept the industry standard 2A. Any luthier worth his salt will have the 5 degree reamer and the skill to gently remove what will amount to dust from these holes for a perfect fitting of your new pins. If you are chicken or if you are a guitar worshiper who cannot offend the guitar gods by slightly modifying what a drilling machine did at a factory in Eastern Pennsylvania then you need to purchase the size 2C - and may posterity forget that you were an American.
GIBSON GUITARS
Gibson Guitar specifies a size 2A for their instruments and we recommend this size. The chances are very high these will fit right. As with Martin pins, if they do not fit perfectly, we recommend a luthier seat the pins to the guitar or you can follow our pin installation instructions that come with the pins. If you can measure the pins beforehand this will be helpful as some folks have found their Gibson pins to measure .215" at the top of the tapered shaft and have purchased size 2C and they have fit well. Others have found a .210" measurement and have purchased a size 1T. This is a 3 degree pin and the Gibson Epiphone guitars usually take the 1T but Epiphone pin sizes vary a lot so it is best to measure the diameter at the top of the tapered shaft before buying. If you need a size 1T then purchase a size 1 on the website and then email us through the contact page to let us know you need it to be size 1T. The 1T is slotted thru the skirt whereas the size 1 is slotted but not thru the skirt.
Alvarez = Size 1T - usually.
Fender Acoustic = size 1T
Epiphone by Gibson = usually size 1T
Larivee = consistently size 1
Blanchard = consistently size 1
Garrison = consistently size 1
Goodall = consistently size 1
Ryan = consistently size 1
Lakewood = consistently size 1
McPherson = consistently size 1
Santa Cruz = consistently size 1
Taylor = consistently size 1
Collings : Prior to 2002 = consistently size 1; After 2002 = consistently size 2A unslotted
Bourgeois = consistently size 2A unslotted
Yamaha = Size 1T
Guild = all over the map on sizes - email us with:
For any instrument you may need help with on selecting the correct size please email us through our contact page with the following information and we will help you as best we can :
We cannot assure you we will have the pin you need but we assure you we will try to help:
1) Make, model and approximate year of manufacture of the guitar you need pins for.
2) Is the pin slotted and does the slot continue through the skirt or stop below it?
3) Measure the diameter of your pin at the top of the tapered shaft just under the collar and then measure the diameter at a point that is 3/4 inch below that point near the bottom of the shaft. As mentioned above, it is IMPORTANT that these measurements be done with a dial/digital caliper, or micrometer that will give you the dimension in decimal form to the thousandth of an inch (.210" for example). Measure in the two places indicated, the lower measurement exactly .750" (3/4") below the top. This will give us the size of the pin as well as the ability do some math and figure out the taper angle. It is best to do this on a couple pins to get a common reading.
Lastly, PLEASE ensure your measurements are correct ! If in doubt, it's always best to purchase slightly over-sized pins and fit them to the guitar.
End Pin Size
Our standard end pin has a diameter of .315 " at the top of the tapered shaft and .250 at the bottom. This fits most guitars including Martin. It is
exceedingly seldom this size does not fit.
Strap Button Size
The strap button can be fitted to any instrument that uses this style of neck strap button. The final bit of class for those who want a totally
tricked out guitar. The way these are made it is necessary to have an inlay.
The following pin size information is accurate in regards to what sizes these guitar companies specify for their guitars however there are situations where guitars are modified during or after manufacture that cause a change in what will actually fit your particular instrument. Please also note that aging affects wood such that the pin holes can change slightly over time.
If possible, it is good to measure any pin or pins that fit your guitar with a dial caliper or a micrometer so as to obtain an accurate reading of a pin or pins that fit your instrument. The measurement you are looking for is the diameter at the top of the tapered shaft. This measurement, along with the pin information below should pinpoint exactly what size you need to order. The information below, without the measurement, is very likely to work but the measurement is added security in knowing you have selected the right pin size for your instrument.
In addition, we send an instruction sheet with each set of pins that covers the installation and proper fitting of our new pins.
Below the information on sizes will be additional information on specific guitars that you will want to read.
PIN SIZES
Pin SIZE #1 :
Used for Martin guitars that were made before 1994, also Larrivee, Blanchard, Garrison, Goodall, Ryan, Lakewood,McPherson, Santa Cruz and Taylor guitars.These also work with Collings guitars made prior to 2002. These pins have a 3 degree tapered shaft and are .210" diameter at the top of the tapered shaft just below the skirt. These pins are slotted the full length of the tapered shaft and TO the skirt but NOT through the skirt.
Pin Size 1T : Size 1 pins are slotted the full length of the tapered shaft TO the skirt but NOT through the skirt. If you need a size 1 pin that is slotted THROUGH the skirt this is known as a size 1T and is the most common size seen on Fender Acoustic guitars. You can buy one of these by purchasing a size 1 pin set on this website and then making a note (during checkout there is a place to leave us a note) and/or you can email us after your purchase, through our contact page, and let us know the set is to be slotted through the skirt. If you need an UNSLOTTED pin please email us through the contact page for availability on the size and inlay type you desire (price is same for slotted or unslotted).
PIN SIZE # 2A :
For modern Martin guitars (after 1994) and Gibson guitars. 5 degree tapered shaft. These pins are .220" diameter at the top of the tapered shaft just below the skirt. For Martin guitars see also our size 2C for additional information to help you select the right pin.
These pins are slotted the full length of the tapered shaft and THROUGH the skirt. If you need an UNSLOTTED pin please email us through the contact page for availability on the size and the inlay type you desire (price is the same for slotted or unslotted).
PIN SIZE # 2C :
If you own a newer Martin guitar chances are the bridge pins are installed so the head of the pin sticks up about 1/4" above the bridge. Our size 2A pins will fit the same way. Size 2C is the same degree of taper but with a reduced shaft diameter (.215 " diameter at the top of the tapered shaft just below the skirt) so they will sit further down in the bridge (usually flush with the bridge).
If you are seeking pins for a Martin guitar, the above sizing information should home you right in on what you need but if you have a pin or pins that fit right then you would be doing yourself a favor to measure the shaft diameter just below the skirt with a dial caliper or a micrometer. Use this measurement along with the above information to aid you in selecting the correct pin size.
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT SPECIFIC MAKES :
MARTIN GUITARS :
Martin guitars prior to 1994 are almost always size 1 which is a 3 degree pin with a measurement of .210" diameter at the top of the tapered shaft. If somebody modified the instrument it may have a different pin size but Martin was extremely consistent with this size prior to 1994.
Martin went to a size 2A some time in 1994. The size 2A is .220" diameter at the top of the tapered shaft and is a 5 degree pin. Most Martin pin holes are drilled to .215" diameter at the factory so the size 2A, at .220", will stick up about 1/4" above the bridge. Some Martin instruments were hand reamed at the factory or at a dealership to accept the industry standard 2A pin. Some were not. This is where measuring a pin that fits will come in handy and you can determine if you want a 2A (.220") or a 2C (.215"). It is our opinion that one should purchase the industry standard size 2A and if it sticks up beyond your comfort level then you should have it fitted to the instrument by sizing the holes to accept the industry standard 2A. Any luthier worth his salt will have the 5 degree reamer and the skill to gently remove what will amount to dust from these holes for a perfect fitting of your new pins. If you are chicken or if you are a guitar worshiper who cannot offend the guitar gods by slightly modifying what a drilling machine did at a factory in Eastern Pennsylvania then you need to purchase the size 2C - and may posterity forget that you were an American.
GIBSON GUITARS
Gibson Guitar specifies a size 2A for their instruments and we recommend this size. The chances are very high these will fit right. As with Martin pins, if they do not fit perfectly, we recommend a luthier seat the pins to the guitar or you can follow our pin installation instructions that come with the pins. If you can measure the pins beforehand this will be helpful as some folks have found their Gibson pins to measure .215" at the top of the tapered shaft and have purchased size 2C and they have fit well. Others have found a .210" measurement and have purchased a size 1T. This is a 3 degree pin and the Gibson Epiphone guitars usually take the 1T but Epiphone pin sizes vary a lot so it is best to measure the diameter at the top of the tapered shaft before buying. If you need a size 1T then purchase a size 1 on the website and then email us through the contact page to let us know you need it to be size 1T. The 1T is slotted thru the skirt whereas the size 1 is slotted but not thru the skirt.
Alvarez = Size 1T - usually.
Fender Acoustic = size 1T
Epiphone by Gibson = usually size 1T
Larivee = consistently size 1
Blanchard = consistently size 1
Garrison = consistently size 1
Goodall = consistently size 1
Ryan = consistently size 1
Lakewood = consistently size 1
McPherson = consistently size 1
Santa Cruz = consistently size 1
Taylor = consistently size 1
Collings : Prior to 2002 = consistently size 1; After 2002 = consistently size 2A unslotted
Bourgeois = consistently size 2A unslotted
Yamaha = Size 1T
Guild = all over the map on sizes - email us with:
For any instrument you may need help with on selecting the correct size please email us through our contact page with the following information and we will help you as best we can :
We cannot assure you we will have the pin you need but we assure you we will try to help:
1) Make, model and approximate year of manufacture of the guitar you need pins for.
2) Is the pin slotted and does the slot continue through the skirt or stop below it?
3) Measure the diameter of your pin at the top of the tapered shaft just under the collar and then measure the diameter at a point that is 3/4 inch below that point near the bottom of the shaft. As mentioned above, it is IMPORTANT that these measurements be done with a dial/digital caliper, or micrometer that will give you the dimension in decimal form to the thousandth of an inch (.210" for example). Measure in the two places indicated, the lower measurement exactly .750" (3/4") below the top. This will give us the size of the pin as well as the ability do some math and figure out the taper angle. It is best to do this on a couple pins to get a common reading.
Lastly, PLEASE ensure your measurements are correct ! If in doubt, it's always best to purchase slightly over-sized pins and fit them to the guitar.
End Pin Size
Our standard end pin has a diameter of .315 " at the top of the tapered shaft and .250 at the bottom. This fits most guitars including Martin. It is
exceedingly seldom this size does not fit.
Strap Button Size
The strap button can be fitted to any instrument that uses this style of neck strap button. The final bit of class for those who want a totally
tricked out guitar. The way these are made it is necessary to have an inlay.
Bone pins with 3 mm black dots
Bone pins with faux tortoise dots
Size 2A on left. Size 1 on right.
Elephant ivory pins with ivory nut and saddle
Black dot pins
Martin set in PBE
Bone end pins
Faux tortoise dot pins
PBE pins
PBE pins with PBE saddle
Size 1 PBE pins with abalone dot
PBE End pin with abalone dot
Size 2A pin PBE with black dot
PBE End pin with black dot
Bone strap button and end pin set
