I just got a brand new Ibanez AEG Acoustic Fretless bass, the bridge pins are too loose, but the strings stay tight and in tune because they get hung under the bridge. I can't tell if this is really bad or not, I'm looking to get some new tuning pegs that are bigger but not sure how to measure these stock plastic ibanez ones. Should I even worry about it?
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Acoustic Bass problems (kind of?)
- Thread starter JoshC115
- Start date
Unless you're worried they're so loose they could fall off the bass in case you, I dunno, have a pick accidentally fall inside the soundhole and try getting it out, you shouldn't worry:
the ball end is supposed to get caught at the edge of the (under-)bridge plate, and the pin only applies lateral, not downward pressure to the string so that said ball end stays there (or, if you will, it's there so that the pinhole, which has to be wider than the ball end when the latter is fed from the top when changing strings, is plugged during normal use).
I have a Michael Kelly acoustic that was missing the pins when I got it (for a steal, because). The replacement pins I got were a bit loose, but once the strings were inserted and tuned up to tension they have not moved at all. I don't know that I'd worry about it unless they keep popping out. If they are staying put, I'm not stressing over it. I did see a trick somewhere about putting a slight kink in the pin end of the strings to help them stay put. I dunno if it made a difference or not, but mine aren't moving after having been installed for a couple years now. I think the trick is making sure the ball is under the bridge properly.
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Another thing you could do is
(again, while the correct procedure is followed - ball end into hole, feel the edge of the ball end softly touching the edge of the bridge plate, keep the string more or less still while you insert the pin so that the latter's tip goes past the ball, pull the string tight while you thrust the pin in completely)
turn the pin so that the slot is *not* at the front (old-style pins didn't have slots at all), install the string as above, shove the pin tight (it will inevitably sit higher than before, but it should be stuck snugly, even though the pin head will still be loose at the top).
The above having been said, bridge pins don't break banks, and there's something to be said for having everything fit as Herr Martin intended.
And no, I do not believe there is a standard pin size for acoustic bass guitars. Trial and error (or luck at first try).
(again, while the correct procedure is followed - ball end into hole, feel the edge of the ball end softly touching the edge of the bridge plate, keep the string more or less still while you insert the pin so that the latter's tip goes past the ball, pull the string tight while you thrust the pin in completely)
turn the pin so that the slot is *not* at the front (old-style pins didn't have slots at all), install the string as above, shove the pin tight (it will inevitably sit higher than before, but it should be stuck snugly, even though the pin head will still be loose at the top).
The above having been said, bridge pins don't break banks, and there's something to be said for having everything fit as Herr Martin intended.
And no, I do not believe there is a standard pin size for acoustic bass guitars. Trial and error (or luck at first try).
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Right, the ball end is stuck in the bridge and the pins are as loose as possible sliding if I turn my bass upside down. I can pull them out like nothing and the strings are fine. They might as well not be there lol
