Acoustic Guitar Bridge Pins are small, seemingly insignificant components, yet they play a crucial role in securing the strings to the guitar’s body and transmitting vibrations. Many guitarists often overlook these tiny parts, but could upgrading them actually make a difference in your guitar’s sound and playability? We decided to investigate, focusing on acoustic guitar bridge pins and specifically testing the claims of Bigrock Innovations’ Power Pins 2.0.
Intrigued by reader feedback praising these humble guitar parts for improved tone and ease of stringing, we put the Power Pins 2.0 to the test. The promise of enhanced clarity and bridge plate protection from a set of replacement acoustic guitar bridge pins certainly piqued our interest.
To evaluate these claims objectively, we installed the Power Pins 2.0 on a Seagull S6, a familiar acoustic guitar known for its consistent and reliable tone. The installation process involved replacing the standard bridge pins with the Power Pins 2.0. These aren’t your typical friction-fit pins; each Power Pin is tear-shaped and metal, designed to be bolted to the bridge. A small metal plate, the Power Plate, sits inside the guitar, and a bolt from the pin screws into this plate using an Allen wrench. Despite the slightly unconventional design, the installation was surprisingly straightforward, taking only a few minutes to complete by feel within the guitar’s soundhole. Once installed, stringing the guitar was indeed simplified, with the strings feeding easily into the pins and holding firmly during tuning.
To discern any actual sonic differences, we recorded the Seagull S6 both before and after the Power Pin installation. We maintained consistent conditions, using a fresh set of D’Addario EJ16 phosphor-bronze strings and the same microphone positioning for both recordings. Analyzing the recordings revealed more than just wishful thinking. The frequency analysis clearly indicated a measurable difference: the guitar’s overall volume increased by a few decibels. Furthermore, the entire frequency spectrum appeared enhanced, with the most significant boost in the low-end frequencies and a generally smoother, more balanced response across the spectrum. From a player’s perspective, the difference was palpable. The guitar simply sounded bigger and more resonant. There was a noticeable increase in volume and a richer tone, with more of the string’s energy translating into that desirable, body-shaking resonance that acoustic guitarists crave. The guitar felt more alive and responsive.
While the non-traditional look of the Power Pins 2.0 might not appeal to every guitarist, and they aren’t likely to transform a poor-sounding guitar into a stellar one, our experience suggests a tangible benefit. On a quality instrument that was already enjoyable to play, the Power Pins 2.0 demonstrably enhanced sustain, tone, and volume.
Bigrock Innovations Power Pins 2.0 are available in gold, chrome, and black chrome finishes, and come in versions for 6-string and 12-string guitars, as well as 4-string acoustic bass guitars. For more information, visit powerpins.net.
