There are many more examples of my work in the "gallery" pages.

Bone saddles are a bleached white color, and can occasionally have some darker “speckling” in the grain. Most saddles can also be ordered in what is known vintage bone.  The only difference between this and regular bone is the vintage bone is dyed to a "baby poop" yellow-brown color to give it an aged or vintage look. 

Bone is usually the first step people choose in an aftermarket saddle, as it is relatively inexpensive, and offers significant improvement over factory-installed components.  Bone increases clarity and sustain, provides better overtones, and provides a better high to low end balance.  It provides a much more “focused” high end and punchier low end,  and is not at all shrill like some plastic saddles render the guitar.  Additionally, bone will long outlast the factory installed plastic saddles.

All the saddles I carry are listed on the pricing/ordering page.  If yours is not listed, I can copy it (in nearly every case) out of any of these materials if you can send it in.

This is the hardest material that falls into the usable spectrum of densities for an acoustic guitar and is the ultimate material for maximizing the harmonic and overtone content of the instrument.  For this reason, West African hard ivory is by far the most popular material used by fingerstyle players or those who simply want the best high frequency response and clarity.  Sonically, it is the same as the fossilized walrus ivory, although being slightly harder, it is somewhat better for wear and tear.   Personally, I feel this is one of the best natural materials I have used for guitar parts and the material I use in nearly all my personal instruments.

FOSSILIZED IVORY and BONE

BRIDGE PINS

I always try to keep the most popular sizes in stock with as many inlay options as possible, but it's impossible for me to carry every combination.  The pins are most commonly carried in 3mm or 4mm ebony, abalone, faux tortoise or NO inlay   I also stock some custom double-inlays as well. 

BONE BRIDGE PINS:   A lower cost alternative to their ivory counterpart, although sonically speaking, they are identical. They are fairly unassuming in appearance, but still offer a nice improvement over factory-installed plastic or wood pins.

I also make these in a "vintage dyed" appearance.  These pins spend about a week in a dye that results in a pin that simply looks old.  It's hard to make thousands of dyed pins that come out looking exactly the same, so there is variation between the sets..  from gently dyed, to dark and speckled and looking VERY old.  Everyone likes something a little different so I'll be happy to let you know what I have available at the time, and send any pictures of specific sets if needed.

There are always sets that don't make the final cut in appearance (both non-dyed and dyed), and I keep them aside and discounted as "factory seconds."  I normally have seconds available in all the sizes and keep them photographed and I'll be happy to let you know what's available, as it changes constantly.  This is a convenient way to give some fully functional, ugly ducklings a home and save some $$!

FOSSILIZED WALRUS IVORY PINS:   The fossilized walrus pins come in a multitude of beautiful colors and patterns.  I keep photographs of every set in stock, but do not keep them listed on this site as they come and go so frequently.  Please let me know, and I will send you any pictures you need..  tell me what size too, so I send you the right pictures!   One thing to keep in mind with this material is each set is unique and they come in MANY colors and variations. 

BUFFALO HORN BRIDGE PINS:   Buffalo horn pins are more dense than ebony or plastic pins, but not as dense as bone or ivory.  Buffalo horn pins are great for someone who really does not want to change the appearance of a guitar normally equipped with ebony pins, in that the buffalo horn is black.  You probably won't find a big sonic difference, but they will outlast factory installed components, and look darn nice as well.  Contrary to popular belief, these pins are not "bowling ball" black.  They are indeed black, but have wisps of lighter grain through portions of the material giving it a very natural look.    

*A note about bridge pin fit and proper sizing!

My pins are sized for the maximum size found to fit your guitar.  I have to size the pins in this manner as all instruments are slightly different.  These may require some sanding of a few thousandths along the stem to fit them perfectly to your pin holes.  Reaming the pinholes to fit the pins is for some, a better option, and results in the best fit.  

Bridge pins come in billions of sizes.  Well, it's not that bad, but there are quite a few and unfortunately I can't carry that many sizes in stock.  Luckily, many of the larger manufacturers such as Taylor, and Martin use a "relatively" standard size bridge pin.  Some of the smaller makers do as well.  Some manufacturers use different size pins on the same guitars.  For this reason, I have developed as best I can, a sizing chart for many manufacturers as shown below. 

Click on any of the images below to see an enlarged view

One often-requested option on white bone pins !

(call for availability)

On the left is a traditional vintage bone pin, the middle is a standard white bone pin.  On the right is what we call a "dishwater" colored pin.  Commonly requested  for older guitars or when the player does not want such a bright white pin.  These are perfect for an aged appearance and will match just about anything.  With every batch of pins, I always separate the not-so-whitened pins for this very reason.  I carry a small number of these in all the sizes, so let me know what you need and I'll see if I have something that will work for you!

   -  These are designed to replicate a naturally aged pin.  Designed to look OLD!

   -  Available in ebony, abalone faux tortoise or NO inlay,    Size 1, 1T, 1.3T &  2A

   -  We have matching saddle and nut material for the traditional "vintage bone" color,      shown in the center picture.

   -  Call or email for pics... the inventory changes constantly!      

   -  Prices range from $37 - $49       Sorry...no custom sizes!

   -  These are all one-of sets.  Designed to look unique and/or match up to a top-color!

   -  Two "basic" color patterns:  Amber and Brown + many different variations!

   -  Call or email for pics... the inventory changes constantly!      

   -  Prices range from $37 - $49       Sorry...no custom sizes!

   -  More info and pics can be found here:  DYED PIN PAGE

Amber 

Fossilized Walrus Ivory Bridge Pins

Here are some helpful sizing & application charts:

Good Question!  Many guitars, as listed in the above chart use a standard size pin.  In that case, life is good.  On the other hand,  many manufacturers use varying sizes of pin, and often order pins in bulk, simply fitting what they get to the instrument. 

In this case we need two points of information to get you the correct pin, or make you a custom size if necessary.  To take measurements accurate enough for a correct fit, you'll really need a dial or digital caliper for step 2 of this!

1.  Is the pin slotted and does the slot continue through the skirt or stop below it?

2.  Measure the diameter of the pin in 2 locations.  #1 directly under the skirt, and #2 at a location 3/4" below the top diameter measurement.  As mentioned above, it is IMPORTANT that these measurements be done with a dial/digital caliper, or other device that will give you the dimension in decimal form to the thousandth  (.210" for example).   This will give us the size of the pin as well as the ability do some math and figure out the taper angle.

Lastly, PLEASE ensure your measurements are correct !  If in doubt, it's always best to make them slightly oversized and fit them to the guitar. 

I carry the standard, 5 degree tapered endpins (.310" underskirt diameter) and strap buttons in  elephant and walrus ivory as well as a limited selection in bone.  I have a number of inlay selections for each material, and current photographs of the elephant or walrus sets are always on hand for your review. 

Bone endpins

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