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I've seen bridge pins that are basically square to the long axis of the guitar and some where they are parallel to the saddle slot. Is this just esthetics or are there reasons behind doing it one way versus the other?

Functionally, pins parallel to saddle have close-to-equal string break angles, if you feel that makes any difference. Personally, I also think it looks better than other arrangements -- and I really dislike the "smiley" look that seems to appeal to many.


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The parallel to the saddle allowing a more equal break over angle is the newer and less traditional way of doing things. It's the way I prefer.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

I angle the "pin line" such that the break angle is the same for all the strings, i.e. closer to the saddle at the treble side.
May look a bit odd to some, especially if using a symmetrical bridge, but seems intuitively (to me anyway) to make sense.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Pins parallel to the saddle save repairs guys work when the whole guitar starts to settle in and the inevitable saddle lowering occurs. One of my least favorite jobs is cutting into a perfectly good bridge just to reestablish a reasonable break angle.

One reason for doing it is to prevent the bridge from splitting through the pin holes.

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John

Thanks for the inpuut