bridge pins - brass, rosewood or ebony?

[paulmapp8306]

I have an Avalone Silver Series accoustic that is some years old.

It still has the plastic bridge pins it came with.

I find myself with a small amount of money in my Paypal account (after a refund) and rather than wait days, and pay a fee to transfere a small amount into my bank account Im looking at something small to buy.

Having lots of pics and strings, Ive looked at replacing those plastic bridge pins.

Ive seen solid Rosewood, ebony or brass pins that would do fine and at the right price - but dont really know which would improve the tone the best on the guitar.

What do each add/take away? Whats the conventional wisdome here?

Some direction would be good.

Cheers.

[bertie]

scon or scone........

there are people who say that it matters not one jot what the pins are made of, but the fit is the important thing and allowing good break angle. There are also those that say things like brass pins increase sustain/tone by leagues............... Im in the first camp - and for me pins are pretty much aesthetic.

[colski]

Black ebony replacements every time on my acoustics.
Never tried brass ones.

[digitalkettle]

Black ebony replacements every time on my acoustics.

+1

Never tried brass ones.

I did: too zingy.

[colski]

+1

I did: too zingy.

Ok, I think we've settled that one, thread closed.

(smiley)

[Skybone]

I had a 40 Series Turner (laminate ovangkol back & sides), that came with plastic bridge pins, and although it sounded good, it sounded a whole lot better with some rosewood bridge pins I picked up. I only really got them because they looked better than the cream plastic ones, but they really did improve the tone... not a great deal, but it was certainly noticable.

Depending on the bridge material, if it's rosewood, go with rosewood pins. Likewise, ebony bridge, ebony pins.

[digitalkettle]

Ok, I think we've settled that one, thread closed.

(smiley)

Next!

Actually, my present acoustic is pinless

[bertie]

do you guys really think they make a difference ? Ive ebony in the Brook, and TBH I could do with a tad more 'zing' and might have a stab at some bone ones

[digitalkettle]

do you guys really think they make a difference ? Ive ebony in the Brook, and TBH I could do with a tad more 'zing' and might have a stab at some bone ones

Worth asking the opinion of the chaps at Brook...saddle material might be worth considering too. I think brass would be going too far.

Caveat: my brass experience was on a Yamaha APX a good few years ago...had a pinless Lowden S32 since 2004

[bertie]

...saddle material might be worth considering too. I think brass would be going too far.