Bridge pins are exceedingly important. They will hold your guitar strings firmly in place. When you want to remove your guitar strings, you will need to remove the bridge pins. How do you go about that, though? How do you remove bridge pins? Let’s take a look!
How To Remove Bridge Pins?
In most cases, removing a bridge pin should be incredibly easy. You can grip it with your fingers and give it a light tug. It should come out with a small amount of resistance. If there is a small amount of resistance, then you can easily use a pair of pliers or a string winder, most of which will have a bridge pin tool on the back of them.
Since you have landed on this page, we are going to assume that you aren’t all that familiar with removing bridge pins, with tools, or otherwise. So, don’t worry. We are going to go into a ton of depth for you. We want to give you information on removing bridge pins no matter the situation.
Without Pliers
Pliers are an easy way to remove most bridge pins. However, if you don’t have any pliers handy, then one of the following methods should work for you:
- Fingers
- String winder tool
If the bridge pins are not too stuck in there (and they often won’t be), then you will easily be able to pull them out with your fingers. It won’t take much effort to do.
If you own a guitar, then it is highly recommended that you get your hands on a string winder tool. Not only is it going to make it a whole lot easier to get your strings wound onto the tuning peg, but there will be a handy tool on the back of it that will allow you to remove bridge pins.
To use the string winder, follow these instructions:
- Place the end of the string winder tool on the bridge pin that you want to remove
- Wiggle the pin gently, to loosen it up
- Position the curved part of the string winder around the pin. Gently lift the bridge pin out
How To Get A Broken Bridge Pin Out
While it is rare to break a bridge pin, it can happen.
If you have a broken bridge pin, then we do suggest that you head to a professional to get it removed, at least if you have no clue what you are doing. This is because you are going to need to be using some power tools for this, and one slip of the tool and you could be kissing goodbye to your guitar!
You will need the following:
- A drill or a Dremel (preferably the latter)
- A small drill bit
- A guitar string cutter
To begin with, you are going to want to cut the string. This is because the string is going to be tightening up the broken pin a little bit, which can make it tougher to remove. Once you have done that, you will need to follow these instructions:
- Drill 5 holes around the outside of the pin. Make sure that you don’t go too deep or you could be drilling into the guitar. However, you will want to go as deep as you can.
- Drill a hole in the center of the bridge pin.
If you have done this correctly, then the bridge pin should split. You can then turn the guitar upside and the pin should just fall out. If not, then grab yourself a pair of slim pliers and remove any debris that is stuck in there.
You can then replace the bridge pin. It really is quite simple.
Stuck Guitar Pegs
There are many reasons why your bridge pins are stuck. This means that there are going to be several different ways that you can deal with the problem. We suggest that you follow our method, step-by-step. At some point, you are going to be able to get that bridge pin out of there.
Cut The Guitar String
When your guitar strings are tight, they are pulling on the bridge pin. This can make the pin expand. As soon as you cut the string, it should be loose enough to release the bridge pin.
Let The Guitar Cool Down
If the weather is a little bit hot and humid, then the wood of your guitar will shrink. When this happens, it may tighten around the bridge pin a little bit.
If you move your guitar to a cool location for a few hours, then the wood should expand and it won’t be too difficult to get that pin out of there.
Use Pliers
If you still can’t remove the bridge pin, then you are going to need to get yourself a pair of pliers.
You can wiggle the pin gently from side to side. Don’t go too hard or you may break the pin or the guitar.
As you wiggle it, you may loosen it up enough for it to be removed.
Drill It Out
If that pin is still stuck, then head back to the previous section on removing ‘broken’ pins. You will likely need to drill the bridge pin out.
How To Remove Them Without A Tool
Don’t have a tool? Well, there are a few ways that you may be able to remove the bridge pin. This is assuming that lifting with your fingers doesn’t work.
Some people, for instance, will tie a piece of string around the bridge pin. They then pull it out of place.
Others may want to use a bit of leverage under the pin. A spoon can work for this. Don’t use a knife, though. It could damage the finish of your guitar.
In other cases, you may want to push the bridge pin out with a coin. To do this, you are going to need to put your hands into the soundhole on your guitar. You can then push the pin out from the inside.
Conclusion
Removing bridge pins shouldn’t be too difficult. As long as you have a string winder or pair of pliers available, then you should be able to remove the pins easily.
