Opinion of this Bridge Type

[Diane Kauffmds]

I ran across this bridge that doesn't use bridge pins on ebay. I've only seen similar bridges on guitars with metal tailpieces.

But, the project guitar that I'm revamping has something similar, but has never had a metal tailpiece.

Would this bridge conduct string vibrations to the top as effectively as the traditional bridges that have bridge with bridge pins? Are steel strings pinned into holes to help conduct vibration, or to stabilize the bridge to the top, because of string tension?

[tippie53]

The pinless bridge is a different animal.
The best advice is , try it . I am a traditionalist so I like the martin style. You must decide what you want. In a way it is a recipe , make the cake the way you like. The will stress the top glue joint more so be aware that you do an extra good job of mating and that the bridge plate is full under the bridge.
Let us know what you think when you are done.

[Diane Kauffmds]

The pinless bridge is a different animal.
The best advice is , try it . I am a traditionalist so I like the martin style. You must decide what you want. In a way it is a recipe , make the cake the way you like. The will stress the top glue joint more so be aware that you do an extra good job of mating and that the bridge plate is full under the bridge.
Let us know what you think when you are done.

Will do John. I'm only putting this on my project. I'm putting the traditional ebony on the kit guitar.

[johnnparchem]

I used a pin-less bridge on an acoustic bass, with a lot more string tension than the guitar your working with. I did not have have any problem at all with it. I did install it dowels, basically where the extra holes are in the picture of the bridge you are showing. I am not sure the towels do that much that they are required.

[tippie53]

the dowels are part of the system and help with keeping the bridge from sliding up. I am looking forward to the result.

[B. Howard]

In the end it does not change the way the instrument functions. It may slightly alter the leverage between the strings and the top but no more than moving the pin holes closer/farther from the saddle does. As John stated it does place all the load onto the glue joint between the bridge and the top. The glue joint may not be what fails......if the top has a good bit of runout it can shear the spruce.