You are currently viewing Easy String Change – 46 Acoustic Guitars With Pinless Bridge

Last Updated on March 5, 2024 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!

photo reveals owner of guitaristnextdoor.com

Author: Teemu Suomala

I first grabbed the guitar in 2009. I started this website in January 2020 because I couldn’t do window installation anymore due to my health problems. I love guitars and have played dozens and dozens of different guitars through different amps and pedals over the years, and also, building a website interested me, so I decided to just go for it! I got lucky and managed to get awesome people to help me with my website.

I also got lucky because I have you visiting my website right now. Thank you. I do all this for you guys. If you have any recommendations, tips, or feedback, just leave a comment, I would love to chat with you. I have also been fortunate to produce content for several large guitar websites, such as SongsterrMusicnotesGuitarGuitar, and Ultimate Guitar.

I spend my spare time exercising and hanging out with my wife and crazy dog (I guess that went the right way…).


What is A Pinless Guitar Bridge?

displays a Pinnless acoustic guitar bridge
Pinless acoustic 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.

List of 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! 🙂

ModelTop MaterialBody StylePrice RangeCheck The Current Price (affiliate links)
Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top – Cheapest Acoustic Guitar With Pinless Bridge – Great for TravelLaminated BasswoodParlor$Sweetwater* – Thomann*
Gretsch G9520E Gin Rickey – Great for TravelLaminated BasswoodParlor$SweetwaterThomann
Ovation Applause AB24-4S Mid-depth Check Our Favorite Ovation Guitars HereLayered SpruceApplause Mid-depth – Normal Soundhole$$Sweetwater
Ovation Applause AB28-5S Super ShallowLayered SpruceApplause Super Shallow – Normal Soundhole$$Sweetwater
Ovation Applause AE44-4S Mid-depthLayered SpruceApplause Mid-depth$$Sweetwater
Takamine GD20 – Best Budget – Check Our Favorite Takamines HereSolid CedarDreadnought$$Sweetwater
Recording King Justin Townes Earle Signature ModelSolid AAA Sitka SpruceJustin Townes Earle Signature (Parlor style shape)$$SweetwaterThomann
Ovation Applause AE44-7S Mid-depth
Layered Spruce
Applause Mid-depth$$Sweetwater
Breedlove ECO Discovery S ConcertSolid African MahoganyConcert$$Sweetwater
Ovation Applause AB2412II-5S Mid-depth – Cheapest 12-String Acoustic Guitar With Pinless BridgeLayered SpruceApplause Mid-depth$$Sweetwater
Ovation Celebrity StandardSolid SpruceCelebrity Standard Mid-Depth Cutaway – Normal Soundhole$$SweetwaterThomann
Ibanez AEWC32FM – Great for Acoustic SoloingLaminated Flamed MapleCutaway$$Sweetwater
Ovation Celebrity Standard CS24L-5G Mid-depth – Left-handedSolid SpruceCelebrity Standard Mid-Depth Cutaway – Normal Soundhole$$SweetwaterThomann
Breedlove ECO Discovery S Concert CE – Solid Fingerstyle GuitarSolid Western Red CedarConcert$$Sweetwater
Ovation Celebrity Super ShallowSolid SpruceCelebrity Super Shallow$$SweetwaterThomann
Takamine GN20CE – Best OverallSolid CedarNEX$$Sweetwater
Ovation Celebrity Standard Plus Mid-DepthFigured KoaCelebrity Standard Plus Mid-Depth rd Mid-Depth Cutaway – Normal Soundhole$$Sweetwater
Breedlove ECO Rainforest S Concert CESolid African MahoganyConcert$$Sweetwater
Ibanez AEWC400 – Great for Acoustic SoloingLaminated Flamed MapleCutaway$$SweetwaterThomann
Ovation Celebrity Elite Plus CE44P-SM Mid-DepthSpalted MapleCelebrity Elite Plus Mid-Depth$$$Sweetwater
Breedlove ECO Discovery S Concert CE – 12-stringSolid European SpruceConcert$$$Sweetwater
Yamaha SLG200S Silent GuitarMahogany body with Rosewood/Maple frameCollapsible Travel/Silent Acoustic Guitar$$$SweetwaterThomann
Breedlove ECO Pursuit Exotic S Concert CESolid MyrtlewoodConcert$$$Sweetwater
ESP LTD TL-6FM Thinline – Lefty Version Available TooFlamed MapleThinline$$$SweetwaterThomann
ESP LTD TL-12 – 12-stringMahogany TopThinline$$$Sweetwater
Ovation Mod TX Super ShallowSolid SpruceTX Super Shallow$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Ibanez PA300E – Runner-Up for Best OverallSolid German SpruceJumbo$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Breedlove Organic Wildwood Pro Concertina CESolid African MahoganyConcertina$$$$Sweetwater
The Loar LH-600-VS Professional Archtop – Rare FindSolid SpruceDeep Body Archtop$$$$Sweetwater
Ovation Timeless Balladeer Deep Contour – Great for RecordingSolid Sitka SpruceDeep Contour$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Breedlove Organic Solo Pro Concert CESolid
Western Red Cedar
Concert$$$$Sweetwater
Breedlove Organic Performer Pro Concert Thinline CESolid European SpruceConcert$$$$Sweetwater
Ovation Timeless Elite Deep Contour 12-StringSolid Sitka SpruceDeep Contour$$$$$Sweetwater
Takamine P1NCSolid CedarNEX Cutaway$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Takamine P2DC DreadnoughtSolid SpruceDreadnought Cutaway$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Takamine P3DC Dreadnought – Best Premium Dreadnought With Pinless BridgeSolid CedarDreadnought Cutaway$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Takamine P3NY New Yorker – Best Parlor With Pinless BridgeSolid CedarParlor$$$$$Sweetwater
Takamine P3NCSolid CedarNEX Cutaway$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Takamine P3DC 12-StringSolid CedarDreadnought Cutaway$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks Signature – Look at That Soundhole!Solid CedarDreadnought$$$$$Sweetwater
Breedlove Oregon Concert CE – Best PremiumSolid Sitka SpruceConcert$$$$$Sweetwater
Breedlove Oregon Concertina CESolid MyrtlewoodConcertina$$$$$Sweetwater
Takamine Kenny Chesney SignatureSolid CedarOM$$$$$Sweetwater
Breedlove Jeff Bridges Oregon Concerto CEFigured MyrtlewoodJeff Bridges Concerto$$$$$Sweetwater
Ovation Adamas MD80 Cutaway – The Best Overall Ovation GuitarUltra-thin Carbon FiberDeep Contour Cutaway$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Ovation Adamas I GT Cutaway Deep ContourUltra-thin Carbon FiberDeep Contour Cutaway$$$$$SweetwaterThomann

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3 best 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

displays 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:

displays a Classical guitar bridge
Bridge of classical guitar.

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

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!

Teemu Suomala

I first grabbed the guitar in 2009. I started this website in January 2020 because I couldn’t do window installation anymore due to my health problems. I also noticed that most guitar websites don’t do a really good job, so I decided to just go for it! I got lucky and managed to get awesome people to help me with my website. I also got lucky because I have you visiting my website right now. Thank you. I do all this for you guys. If you have any recommendations, tips, or feedback, just leave a comment, I would love to chat with you. I have been fortunate to produce content for several large guitar websites, such as Songsterr, Musicnotes, GuitarGuitar, and Ultimate Guitar. I spend my spare time exercising and hanging out with my wife and crazy dog(I guess that went the right way…). Expertise: guitar learning techniques, electric guitars, and guitar amplifiers. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or just email me.
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