Top 5 Best Bridge Pins For Your Acoustic Guitar (2020 Review)

Looking for the best bridge pins for an acoustic guitar?

Perfect, you're in the right place!

In this insider's guide, you'll learn:

  • What are bridge pins?
  • What are the different kinds of bridge pins for acoustic guitars?
  • What to look for in the best acoustic guitar bridge pins?
  • And much more!
Best Bridge Pins For Acoustic Guitars

Below is a quick list of all my top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use the best bridge pins for an acoustic guitar.

ImageProduct
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Martin Acoustic Guitar Bridge/End Pin Set Ebony
  • Adds significant bass to your guitar
  • Improves sustain
  • Great looking pins
  • Adds significant bass to your guitar
  • Improves sustain
  • Great looking pins
View on Amazon
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GraphTech PP-1122-00 TUSQ Acoustic Guitar Bridge Pins
  • Trusted quality
  • Provides noticeable tone improvement
  • Vegan friendly
  • Trusted quality
  • Provides noticeable tone improvement
  • Vegan friendly
View on Amazon
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Planet Waves Boxwood Bridge Pins with End Pin Set
  • Improves tone
  • Unique looking
  • Includes a spare pin
  • Improves tone
  • Unique looking
  • Includes a spare pin
View on Amazon
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​Crosby Audio Pure Bone Bridge Pins for Six String Acoustic Guitar
  • Offer improved sound quality over plastic pins
  • Unaffected by temperature and humidity
  • Easy installation and removal
  • Offer improved sound quality over plastic pins
  • Unaffected by temperature and humidity
  • Easy installation and removal
View on Amazon
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D'Andrea Tone Pins Brass Bridge Pin Set, White Dot
  • Adds definition to the highs
  • Improves brightness
  • Extremely long life
  • Adds definition to the highs
  • Improves brightness
  • Extremely long life
View on Amazon

My Overall #1 Rated Pick

Updated 3/27/2020

Martin Acoustic Guitar Bridge/End Pin Set Ebony with Paua Pearl Inlays

  • Adds significant bass to your guitar
  • Improves sustain
  • Great looking pins

Out of the five end pin sets I looked at, I really liked the Martin Acoustic Guitar Bridge/End Pin Set in Ebony, with Paua Pearl Inlays.

Why?

Because as a blues style player, I really value the warmth that I get from ebony guitar pins, and this Martin set has everything I’m looking for when it comes to getting my sound just so.

They aren’t just for blues players, though. You can improve the depth of your bass notes with ebony end pins like these, and that’s great news for guitarists looking to bring new life to a cheaper guitar.

Keep reading to learn about my other picks and what you need to know about bridge pins and acoustic guitars.

Top 5 Best Bridge Pins For An Acoustic Guitar

In a hurry? Check out my top 5 picks below! Keep reading to learn more about these best bridge pins for your acoustic guitar.

  1. Martin Acoustic Guitar Bridge/End Pin Set Ebony (My Top Pick)
  2. GraphTech PP-1122-00 TUSQ Bridge Pins (Best High-End)
  3. Planet Waves Boxwood Bridge Pins with End Pin Set (Best Budget)
  4. Crosby Audio Pure Bone Bridge Pins for Six String Acoustic Guitar
  5. D'Andrea Tone Pins Brass Bridge Pin Set With White Dot

What Is A Bridge Pin On An Acoustic Guitar?

In the simplest possible terms, a bridge pin on an acoustic guitar is a peg that keeps your guitar strings in place when put under tension.

Not only do bridge pins keep your strings firmly aligned and seated in your acoustic guitar, but they carry the vibrations of the strings over the bridge saddle, and into the instrument itself.

If you’re looking to make a difference to the sound of your guitar, an upgraded bridge pin set is an easy way to do it.

Read Also: What are the best strings for your acoustic guitar?

closeup of bridge pins for an acoustic guitar

What Are The Different Types of Bridge Pins For Acoustic Guitars (Are They All The Same)?

Ebony Bridge Pins

Ebony bridge pins are a natural product made from ebony wood. This deep brown/black wood looks incredible with an abalone dot inlay.

Ebony pins are prized for the warmth and low-end power that they bring to acoustic guitars. Because of the boost at the low end, ebony pins can help to increase your guitar’s volume, too.

Bone Bridge Pins

Modern bone bridge pins are most often made from cow bones, although this can vary. If you’re looking to increase the clarity of your acoustic guitar, then bone pins could be a great choice for you.                                              

In addition to clarity, bone bridge pins also significantly increase the treble and sustain of an acoustic guitar, too.

Tusq Bridge Pins

Tusq is a synthetic polymer material made by GraphTech. Tusq bridge pins offer an ethical alternative to those who don’t want to use animal products.

Their effect on the sound of an acoustic guitar is still an improvement over stock pegs. Like bone pegs, they improve clarity, treble and sustain.

Ivory Bridge Pins

Ivory bridge pins are a rare find these days, and most would agree that they’re not the most ethical product on the market. Ivory pins are made from the ​tusks of a walrus or elephant.

Of all the pin materials, walrus ivory pins provide the biggest difference to volume, sustain, and clarity.

Boxwood Bridge Pins

If you’re looking for warmth and strong bass in your sound, consider boxwood bridge pins. They offer similar acoustic benefits to ebony, but they are cheaper and have an attractive light finish.

Brass Bridge Pins

Brass bridge pins bring out a brilliant tone in acoustic guitars and can provide incredible sustain.

If you find that your guitar is a little dark sounding, a brass bridge pin set could do wonders for brightening it up.

Plastic Bridge Pins

Plastic bridge pins are found in the stock setup of most acoustic guitars. They don’t bring much to the table when it comes to sound improvement or changing dynamics. In their defense, they are cheap and readily available.

best acoustic guitar bridge pins facts

How Much Do Bridge Pins Cost?

Bridge pins are mostly pretty inexpensive, but anything made with exotic materials is going to be more pricey.

Basic plastic pins can be had for around $3 to $5, whereas bridge pins made with exotic materials like ivory or even titanium can cost over $100.

Like everything when it comes to guitar parts, you don’t have to spend a lot to get a great product, but you’re certainly not going to get the best out of your instrument with the cheapest gear.

What To Look For In The Best Bridge Pins?

First, make sure that you get a proper fit. Bridge pins come in different sizes and tapers, so be sure that your upgraded pegs will fit your guitar.

Next, you want to make sure that your bridge pins are properly finished. Low-end pins may have burrs and rough edges, which, over time can damage your guitar’s bridge plate or saddle.

Lastly, overall appearance. While it doesn’t contribute to their sound, the best bridge pins should look good on your guitar. Some prefer the classic black dot, while others prefer an abalone inlay or even a plain finish.

My Reviews Of The Best Bridge Pins For Acoustic Guitars

These Martin guitar bridge pins are my go to. They look great, the build quality is fantastic, and they really help me in achieving the warm, bluesy sound that I love.

As bridge pins made from woods like ebony have a dampening effect, they can help to tone down bright, jangly sounds.

Pros

  • Adds texture to undertones
  • Improves volume
  • Great value for money

Cons

  • Can wear out quicker than other materials
  • Won’t fit all guitars

GraphTech PP-1122-00 TUSQ Acoustic Guitar Bridge Pins

TUSQ bridge pins from GraphTech are known for their quality and consistency.

Because they are made at high pressure, in controlled conditions, every set is identical.

If you rely on a specific sound, consistency is key.

GraphTech TUSQ bridge pins offer a more subtle sound upgrade than bone, but it’s still noticeable. You’ll get a clearer sound, with better volume and intonation than your stock pins can offer.

Pros

  • Environmentally friendly
  • Consistent quality


Cons

  • Less noticeable change to the sound
  • Expensive

Planet Waves Boxwood Bridge Pins with End Pin Set

Planet Waves boxwood pins by D'Addario are a great bridge pin set.

If you're looking for a similar sound to ebony without the price tag, this is a great choice.

These boxwood pins are also great for anybody who isn't looking for a dark wood finish.

 I'm actually a big fan of the simple no dot, no abalone inlay design. Also, they come with a spare peg, which is a bonus in my book.

Pros

  • Sleek design
  • Improved warmth
  • Spare pin included


Cons

  • Plain design won't appeal to all
  • May need string ramps for proper fit

​Crosby Audio Pure Bone Bridge Pins with Abalone DotInlay for Six String Acoustic Guitar

Crosby Audi bone bridge pins can add great volume, sustain, and clarity to your guitar.

Bone pins like these aren't affected by temperature and moisture, so they won't expand and get stuck, or damage your guitar.

Bear in mind with natural products like bone, there will be variations in structure that can affect the pin's properties between batches.

Pros

  • Excellent price
  • Temperature and moisture resistant

Cons

  • Inconsistent production
  • Not appropriate for vegan guitarists

These brass end pins from D'Andrea are an excellent choice for anybody playing bright melodic music.

Being brass, they last pretty much forever, so if you're happy with them, they may end up being the last end pins you ever buy.

On top of the great sound and long life, they have a pretty unique look that a lot of players like. This particular set is finished with a white dot, which isn't something you see every day.

Pros

  • Last forever
  • Brings out a bright tone
  • Great sustain


Cons

  • Can damage strings if incorrectly installed
  • Narrow gauge means they may slip in some guitars

My Top Pick: Martin Ebony End Pin Set

I can't say enough good things about the Martin Ebony end pin set. Since swapping out my stock set for these pins my guitar has gained a beautiful woody tone, and the improvement in depth is insane!

I also love how they look! The paua pearly inlays have a beautiful luster, and really stand out against the dark wood.

Again, these are a natural product, so the exact appearance may vary a little, but I think that's part of what makes them so special.

Final Thoughts On The Best End Pins For Acoustic Guitars

Making a change to your guitar's end pins is a simple thing to do, but it can add so much to your sound.

It doesn't matter what style you play, there's a guitar bridge pin to compliment it. If you're still playing with stock pegs, I urge you to try out something different - I promise the difference will be night and day!

Simon Morgan

Simon Morgan

Simon Morgan is the Lead Guitar insider here at YMI.com Simon is originally from the UK, and has been playing for over 20 years. He counts Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and B.B. King as his biggest influences. Look for updates and reviews about all the latest guitar gear from Simon as he shares his knowledge and expertise with you.

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Simon Morgan

Simon Morgan

Simon Morgan is the Lead Guitar insider here at YMI.com Simon is originally from the UK, and has been playing for over 20 years. He counts Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and B.B. King as his biggest influences. Look for updates and reviews about all the latest guitar gear from Simon as he shares his knowledge and expertise with you.

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