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I really like the look of bridge pins layed out in a Semi Circle on instruments I see. The things I was wondering is have any of you guys who use this method, noticed any significant changes for the better or worse, as this system presumably changes the break angle of some of the strings.

I would appreciatte your thoughts, Many Thanks RussellR38555.1500694444

the only practical benefit i can see is that it takes the pins out of an alignment shich might weaken the bridge on a grain line, that is unless there is some weird grain in the bridge.

the problem is that it makes the break angle on the e, a, and d progressively sharper.

Thanks Michael

That was my feeling on the break angles, I hadn't thought about the advantage of the pin hole alignment.

I can't decide if the sharpening of the angle is good bad or indifferent. The angles are varied on a compensated saddle drilled straight anyway aren't they ?
As the space between the pins and saddle differ.

I've noticed no sonic difference at all - I like both the ascetic value and the fact that the holes are not inline providing a potential crack.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I do mine that way for the same reasons Lance stated above.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

with pins in a straight line one can avoid the crack risk be careful grain orientation. and break angle can be kept almost equal by havint the pin line parallel the saddle line. the semi-circular pattern increases the break angle on ead even more than a normal straight line arrangement.

Thank Guys you input is very much appreciatted.

[QUOTE=crazymanmichael] the semi-circular pattern increases the break angle on ead even more than a normal straight line arrangement. [/QUOTE]

Michael, I mean no disrespect - just asking - and why is this bad?

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

i didn't say it was bad, just said it was.

but consider the effect break angle can have; for instance, i think too little and there is not enough down pressure on the saddle and sound can be quiet, thin, etc.; too much and there is too much pressure toward the nut resulting in torsion on the saddle and bridge, and the possible consequences thereof. if the down pressure is uneven across the saddle string balance can be affected, particularly with us pickups.

as in just about everything about building guitars there are tradeoffs and consequences we accept or not as our vision of what we are trying to accomplish determines.