Bridge pin materials... Which one's the best?

[JRenn19]

To anyone at the factory who knows...

I know that there are many different materials of which bridge pins are made - plastics, bone, FWI, ebony, even brass - but I'm a little confused as to which is the "best." I've read a little into it, and found the obvious tonal "differences" (ebony=increased bass, bone=overall increased response, etc.), but I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations as far as which work best with the Avalon models...

If I'm not mistaken, Avalon puts ebony bridgepins on their guitars - Is there any reason for this? Is ebony a better match than bone or brass? Thanks, guys, and God bless.

[JB]

That's a very good question and to be totally honest it's not something we've put much research into.

We use ebony pins because we like them .... they look good and seem to work well for sustain and tone although I'm not sure exactly how much effect they have compared to other factors and it could vary from guitar to guitar.

And then again, even if there was a difference it might not be a difference to make them "better" ... just different.

Some players like ebony, some plastic or brass .... some even splash out for fossilized walrus ivory each to his own I guess

For me it's ebony .... looks good and works but I also like Black Buffalo horn to ... oops .... maybe I'll say no more

[guitarist 4 christ]

J.B. you are a funny guy, can't wait to meet you, in the heavens one day!!
Oh, by the way, those black buff pins you sent me that made my Avalon sound even bet--- ooops I will say no more

Have a Happy 2006

[JRenn19]

Alright, Alright, I'm gonna get some buffalo horn pins. Also Check out my update on the Pick-up the World pickup system. It absolutely floored me. God bless!

Jonathan Renn

[jdwxly]

Taking this thread in a slightly different direction...if I wanted to get a set of ebony bridge pins for my Silver series Avalon, what dimensions do I need to know? I understand that there are a couple of different "standards" for bridge pins, so I want to be sure what I get will work.

Does Avalon sell their ebony pins as an accessory and will they work on an AS200CE?