Last Updated on April 28, 2023 by Teemu Suomala
Missing bridge pins…again? Or you just don’t like the looks of the standard acoustic guitar bridge with pins?
Don’t worry my friend. There’s a savior…
Enter: Pinless Acoustic Guitar Bridge.
In this article we go through the pros and cons of pinless acoustic guitar bridges, I reveal all the great acoustic guitars without bridge pins I could find, and I also share my absolute 3 favorite acoustic guitars with pinless bridges with you.
Are you ready…? Let’s get started!
Author: Teemu Suomala
What is A Pinless Guitar Bridge?
As the name suggests, these kinds of bridges don’t have bridge pins. Breedlove guitars are well known for manufacturing these kinds of bridges. The purpose of Pinless bridges is to eliminate the string/bridge pin holes that are drilled into the body of the guitar, this is claimed to improve the guitar’s tone because it can resonate more naturally since there are fewer holes.
Pinless bridges also make changing strings a bit easier and decrease string break angle which reduces the pressure that strings give to nut, this can potentially increase sustain.
The downside is that pinless bridges can give more pressure to the points where the bridge is connected to the body.
Pros
- No lost bridge pins
- Changing strings is really easy
- Simple design
- This bridge type can offer some tonal benefits
Cons
- Can give extra pressure to the points where the bridge is connected to the body (it is debatable if this has any real negative effect)
To learn more about guitar bridges, check our full guitar bridge guide.
46 Acoustic Guitars With Pinless Bridge
Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top is a great starter and travel guitar for fingerstyle blues/country/folk-pickin’ at a price where one can’t be too picky. It’s also one of the best parlor guitars for the money. And yes, it does feature a pinless bridge.
Price Range Icon Meanings:
$= $180-299
$$= $300-599
$$$= $600-899
$$$$= $900-1199
$$$$$= $1200
*Consider all links in this post to be affiliate links. If you purchase, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission. It helps us to keep the lights on, thanks! 🙂
| Model | Top Material | Body Style | Price Range | Check The Current Price (affiliate links) |
| Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top – Cheapest Acoustic Guitar With Pinless Bridge – Great for Travel | Laminated Basswood | Parlor | $ | Sweetwater* – Thomann* |
| Gretsch G9520E Gin Rickey – Great for Travel | Laminated Basswood | Parlor | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ovation Applause AB24-4S Mid-depth – Check Our Favorite Ovation Guitars Here | Layered Spruce | Applause Mid-depth – Normal Soundhole | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Applause AB28-5S Super Shallow | Layered Spruce | Applause Super Shallow – Normal Soundhole | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Applause AE44-4S Mid-depth | Layered Spruce | Applause Mid-depth | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Takamine GD20 – Best Budget – Check Our Favorite Takamines Here | Solid Cedar | Dreadnought | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Recording King Justin Townes Earle Signature Model | Solid AAA Sitka Spruce | Justin Townes Earle Signature (Parlor style shape) | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ovation Applause AE44-7S Mid-depth | Layered Spruce | Applause Mid-depth | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Breedlove ECO Discovery S Concert | Solid African Mahogany | Concert | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Applause AB2412II-5S Mid-depth – Cheapest 12-String Acoustic Guitar With Pinless Bridge | Layered Spruce | Applause Mid-depth | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Celebrity Standard | Solid Spruce | Celebrity Standard Mid-Depth Cutaway – Normal Soundhole | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ibanez AEWC32FM – Great for Acoustic Soloing | Laminated Flamed Maple | Cutaway | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Celebrity Standard CS24L-5G Mid-depth – Left-handed | Solid Spruce | Celebrity Standard Mid-Depth Cutaway – Normal Soundhole | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Breedlove ECO Discovery S Concert CE – Solid Fingerstyle Guitar | Solid Western Red Cedar | Concert | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Celebrity Super Shallow | Solid Spruce | Celebrity Super Shallow | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Takamine GN20CE – Best Overall | Solid Cedar | NEX | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Celebrity Standard Plus Mid-Depth | Figured Koa | Celebrity Standard Plus Mid-Depth rd Mid-Depth Cutaway – Normal Soundhole | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Breedlove ECO Rainforest S Concert CE | Solid African Mahogany | Concert | $$ | Sweetwater |
| Ibanez AEWC400 – Great for Acoustic Soloing | Laminated Flamed Maple | Cutaway | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ovation Celebrity Elite Plus CE44P-SM Mid-Depth | Spalted Maple | Celebrity Elite Plus Mid-Depth | $$$ | Sweetwater |
| Breedlove ECO Discovery S Concert CE – 12-string | Solid European Spruce | Concert | $$$ | Sweetwater |
| Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar | Mahogany body with Rosewood/Maple frame | Collapsible Travel/Silent Acoustic Guitar | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Breedlove ECO Pursuit Exotic S Concert CE | Solid Myrtlewood | Concert | $$$ | Sweetwater |
| ESP LTD TL-6FM Thinline – Lefty Version Available Too | Flamed Maple | Thinline | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD TL-12 – 12-string | Mahogany Top | Thinline | $$$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Mod TX Super Shallow | Solid Spruce | TX Super Shallow | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ibanez PA300E – Runner-Up for Best Overall | Solid German Spruce | Jumbo | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Breedlove Organic Wildwood Pro Concertina CE | Solid African Mahogany | Concertina | $$$$ | Sweetwater |
| The Loar LH-600-VS Professional Archtop – Rare Find | Solid Spruce | Deep Body Archtop | $$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Timeless Balladeer Deep Contour – Great for Recording | Solid Sitka Spruce | Deep Contour | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Breedlove Organic Solo Pro Concert CE | Solid Western Red Cedar | Concert | $$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Breedlove Organic Performer Pro Concert Thinline CE | Solid European Spruce | Concert | $$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Timeless Elite Deep Contour 12-String | Solid Sitka Spruce | Deep Contour | $$$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Takamine P1NC | Solid Cedar | NEX Cutaway | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Takamine P2DC Dreadnought | Solid Spruce | Dreadnought Cutaway | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Takamine P3DC Dreadnought – Best Premium Dreadnought With Pinless Bridge | Solid Cedar | Dreadnought Cutaway | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Takamine P3NY New Yorker – Best Parlor With Pinless Bridge | Solid Cedar | Parlor | $$$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Takamine P3NC | Solid Cedar | NEX Cutaway | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Takamine P3DC 12-String | Solid Cedar | Dreadnought Cutaway | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks Signature – Look at That Soundhole! | Solid Cedar | Dreadnought | $$$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Breedlove Oregon Concert CE – Best Premium | Solid Sitka Spruce | Concert | $$$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Breedlove Oregon Concertina CE | Solid Myrtlewood | Concertina | $$$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Takamine Kenny Chesney Signature | Solid Cedar | OM | $$$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Breedlove Jeff Bridges Oregon Concerto CE | Figured Myrtlewood | Jeff Bridges Concerto | $$$$$ | Sweetwater |
| Ovation Adamas MD80 Cutaway – The Best Overall Ovation Guitar | Ultra-thin Carbon Fiber | Deep Contour Cutaway | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ovation Adamas I GT Cutaway Deep Contour | Ultra-thin Carbon Fiber | Deep Contour Cutaway | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
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3 Acoustic Guitars With Pinless Bridge – My Favorites
Best Budget – Takamine GD20
What I like
- Cedar and mahogany tonewood combo for a shimmering warm tone
- Split-saddle design should improve intonation
- Pinless bridge makes string changes easy
- High value for the money
What I don’t like
- Higher chance of top damage with pinless bridge (debatable)
- Narrow nut reduces string spacing
This Takamine is among our favorite fingerstyle acoustic guitars.
Who is it for?
If you are after a budget-friendly acoustic guitar with a solid top, excellent playability with strumming and fingerpicking, and value versatility, Takamine GD20 is one of the best options out there. It’s a stunning acoustic with a great-sounding Cedar and mahogany tonewood combo and split-saddle design that doesn’t only look good but should also improve intonation.
Best Overall – Takamine GN20CE
What I like
- Solid cedar top paired with okoume back & sides offer warm, articulate, and balanced sound
- Pinless bridge for easy string change
- Split-saddle design should improve intonation
- Overall comfortable shape and size with a slim neck profile make this Takamine ultra-playable
- 3-band EQ, gain control, and on-board tuner
- Stunning looks
What I don’t like
- Synthetic bone nut and saddle
- Doesn’t offer the best bass response
Who is it for?
If you are after an extremely comfortable to play acoustic guitar with a pinless bridge, Takamine GN20CE is a great choice. It’s versatile and has good-quality electronics for playing with an acoustic guitar amp. It doesn’t offer the boomiest most bass-heavy sound, but it makes that up with an overall warm and articulate tone. If you have a bit more to spend, check Ibanez PA300E.
Best Premium – Breedlove Oregon Concert CE
What I like
- Myrtlewood construction adds balance to the tone
- The comfortable neck is easy to play
- Simplified visuals allow natural beauty to shine through
- Electronics are noiseless and accurately reproduce the natural sound
- Pinless bridge for easy string changes
What I don’t like
- No onboard tuner
- All-gold tuning keys would look better instead of black/gold combination
Who is it for?
The Breedlove Oregon Concert is for the player looking for a smaller-bodied high-end acoustic guitar that is excellent for fingerpicking while not going over-the-top with fancy inlay work. This Breedlove works well for fingerstyle, percussive fingerstyle, acoustic soloing, and rhythm playing. It should be noted that you won’t be able to get the boomiest dreadnought tones out of this, if that’s something you are after, check Takamine P3DC Dreadnought.
FAQ
Do All Acoustic Guitars Have Bridge Pins?
No. But most steel-string acoustic guitars do have a bridge with bridge pins. After that being said, in this article we learned that there still are plenty of acoustic guitar models that come with pinless bridges.
It should be noted that nylon string and classical guitars don’t usually have bridge pins. Here’s a photo of a classical guitar bridge:
How Do You String An Acoustic Guitar Without Bridge Pins?
Here’s the process:
- Loosen the old strings
- Cut the old strings and take them off
- Take the non-ball-end of the new string and direct that through the hole on the bridge and over the neck and through the tuners. Then tighten the string. Repeat this for all new strings
- Tune
Simple and easy!
This video tutorial also teaches how to change strings to an acoustic guitar with a pinless bridge:
Do Bridge Pins Affect The Sound of A Guitar?
Bridge pins can affect the vibration of the strings, and that’s why they have an impact on the overall tone and sustain. It should be remembered that the strings and tonewoods of acoustic guitar and especially the top (soundboard) have the biggest impact on the overall sound of an acoustic guitar. That being said, it is proven by many tests that bridge pin material is a real tone-changer factor.
Check how acoustic guitar with different bridge pins sounds:
Are Bone Bridge Pins Worth It?
If you like the tone that real bone bridge pins add to the overall sound of your acoustic guitar, then bone bridge pins are definitely worth it. From the video above you can hear what plastic, ivoroid, and bone bridge pins add to the overall sound of an acoustic guitar.
Do Classical Guitars Have Bridge Pins?
Nylon-string and classical guitars don’t usually have bridge pins. There can be some exceptions of course, but classical guitars with bridge pins are a really rare thing.
Conclusion on Acoustic Guitars Without Bridge Pins
Acoustic guitars with a pinless bridges can be super convenient. And while I definitely don’t shy away from acoustic guitars with standard bridges with bridge pins, I’m super glad pinless bridges exist. For some folks, a pinless bridge can be a true game-changer (there are some people who always lose a pin or two when changing the strings, for them, a pinless bridge is a must).
I hope this article helped you out, and maybe you even decided to get one of the guitars featured. If you have any questions, leave a comment, I and the GND team are here for you.
Now go, my son, and Rock!
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