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Interesting coincidence this, as I was going to ask the world what range of size of string ends they've seen. The reason being I'm sketching out a design for a pinless bridge.

As it happens all I've got on hand here are Martin SPs. The ends on these are a very consistent 0.157 (+0 -0.001)" diameter and 0.117 (+0.006 -0.001)" long - which looks suspiciously like 4 mm and 3 mm respectively. That gives a diagonal of 5 mm which would stick if you've got a precise 3/16" hole (4.76 mm) but would fit if you'd drilled the hole oversize or reamed out as little as 0.25 mm or 1 thou.

Has anybody seen ends bigger than the Martin ones?

Author:	Larry Drover [ Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Guitar Strings
When I install my guitar bridge I drill the peg holes 3/16"....The strings I have installed in the past went in the holes with no problem.....Yesterday I bought a set of Martin Medium strings and the balls would not go through the peg hole....I thought all ball ends were standard....Am I wrong?

Author:	Brad T [ Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Guitar Strings
Nope, I've noticed the same thing. I think the Martin ones are a wee tad bigger.

Author:	Mike Collins [ Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Guitar Strings
Was your first set D'Addarios ? You can't get better strings then thiers! Get some more! Mike

Author:	Hesh [ Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Guitar Strings
D'Addarios are my favorite too. Larry buddy string ball ends do differ. Also, a consideration is that different strings intonate differently. Sooooo.... it's a good idea to use what your customer or you prefers especially when dialing in the intonation.

Author:	IanM [ Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Guitar Strings
Interesting coincidence this, as I was going to ask the world what range of size of string ends they've seen. The reason being I'm sketching out a design for a pinless bridge. As it happens all I've got on hand here are Martin SPs. The ends on these are a very consistent 0.157 (+0 -0.001)" diameter and 0.117 (+0.006 -0.001)" long - which looks suspiciously like 4 mm and 3 mm respectively. That gives a diagonal of 5 mm which would stick if you've got a precise 3/16" hole (4.76 mm) but would fit if you'd drilled the hole oversize or reamed out as little as 0.25 mm or 1 thou. Has anybody seen ends bigger than the Martin ones?

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Author:	pharmboycu [ Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Guitar Strings
Don't know about the ball end size other than I'm certain the Martins are larger. That said, as for strings... give me Martin SP's over D'Addario's anytime. I use D'Addario stainless steel only because I haven't found another manufacturer who makes them in the same gauge. Consistency is a big thing with me... I find some sets of D'Addario's are great, others mediocre. Just one man's opinion and many others will vary. Sorry for the "threadcrap" too... Been a rough day at work. IanM wrote: Interesting coincidence this, as I was going to ask the world what range of size of string ends they've seen. The reason being I'm sketching out a design for a pinless bridge. As it happens all I've got on hand here are Martin SPs. The ends on these are a very consistent 0.157 (+0 -0.001)" diameter and 0.117 (+0.006 -0.001)" long - which looks suspiciously like 4 mm and 3 mm respectively. That gives a diagonal of 5 mm which would stick if you've got a precise 3/16" hole (4.76 mm) but would fit if you'd drilled the hole oversize or reamed out as little as 0.25 mm or 1 thou. Has anybody seen ends bigger than the Martin ones?

Author:	Bob Garrish [ Sat Nov 08, 2008 1:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Guitar Strings
IanM wrote: Interesting coincidence this, as I was going to ask the world what range of size of string ends they've seen. The reason being I'm sketching out a design for a pinless bridge. As it happens all I've got on hand here are Martin SPs. The ends on these are a very consistent 0.157 (+0 -0.001)" diameter and 0.117 (+0.006 -0.001)" long - which looks suspiciously like 4 mm and 3 mm respectively. That gives a diagonal of 5 mm which would stick if you've got a precise 3/16" hole (4.76 mm) but would fit if you'd drilled the hole oversize or reamed out as little as 0.25 mm or 1 thou. Has anybody seen ends bigger than the Martin ones? That should be 10 thou. I haven't had any complaints from anyone using my pinless bridges, and I'd always been using a 3/16 hole for the ball ends (all the brands of strings I'd used fit...but I never tried Martin strings so I guess I'll have to up the hole size now!)

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