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A buddy brought his guitar over and asked if I would change his saddle to bone and his pins to bone.The thing is he likes the price and selection from one of our sponsers that carry 3 degree pins,and his guitar has 5 degree pins.I`m probably wrong,but it seems to me since 3 degree pins must be a little larger since the degree isn`t as steep, I could ream out the hole with a 3 degree reamer and get a nice fit and not cause any problems.Does this sound correct or not?
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

Jim,

The only thing I can offer to this question is that with 5° holes, I have trouble getting some ball ends all the way through the top because the bottom of the hole is too small. No problem with 3°. This might mean that what you're thinking of would work. Might.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

That`s a good point Pat, although the customer probably doesn`tknow this.He just liked the price and selection of the 3 degree bone pins.
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

I would think that with 2 degrees difference, that diameter, particularly near the top, would be the real difference maker.

If the 3 degree pins are too large at the top to seat properly, you would be better of making the pins smaller than making the holes bigger.

once you ream out those holes, you can't go back without a major effort.

Jim

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Jim Hansen

I have converted several guitars from 5 to 3 degree pins as long as the diameter at the top of the pin is the same or a few thousands of an inch larger it is not a problem as you are only opening the bottom of the taper. I love 3 degree for the larger hole to get the ball end in. Since I started slotting the pin holes instead of using slotted pins the ball ends seem to pass through easier.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Fred are you using un-slotted 3 degree? If so where are you getting them.
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

I got several sets from this guy on ebay http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/viewimage.x/00000000/brucewei623/Demension9.jpg?vvid=60033177&allow_mailing_list=1&allow_track_link=1&track=027789b35d-cf127&sp=0&vsid=1&vgp=1&vimgs=Pin91.jpg,Pin92.jpg,Demension9.jpg

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Fred,
How consistent are the diameters of the bridge pins from this seller? I bought some from a seller on ebay once and they varied a lot. I tossed them and went back to buying bridge pins from StewMac.

Alan

They varied a 3 or 4 thousands which is a little worse than Stewmac pins but even with the Stewmac pins I keep track of what hole they fit best when changing strings. I wish there were more suppliers that sold unslotted pins, I have used 5 degree from Stewmac on my last 2 guitars.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

I tend to think the best way is just to plug the holes.. redril and ream with a 3 degree.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

LMI sells unslotted 3 degree pins.

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Evan McCartney