Bridge pin angle

[Ron Nossaman]

> I agree.  I think that's the crux of this discussion.  If the cap material 
> is strong enough (hard enough) then with a humidity increase it will push 
> the string up and the cap won't indent. 

Or the string will be pushed up the pin, and the cap will indent anyway.


  >When the humidity decreases the
> cap will move back down.  The string may or may not follow it, depending on 
> what you believe - another point of discussion.  If the cap material is not 
> strong enough (hard enough) then when the cap moves up the string will 
> indent itself into the cap and will not move up.  When the cap moves back 
> down the string will not be able to follow it because the angle of the 
> indentation at the edge of the notch is now greater than the angle that the 
> string makes with the bridge, so there is a gap.

Exactly, said angle being easily observed as in the photo I posted..


> I think what is causing the severe indentations is the process of 
> repeatedly tapping the strings down over the years.  The bridge goes 
> through some number of humidity cycles which causes an indentation.  The 
> tech comes along in the dry cycle and taps the strings down.  The next wet 
> cycle the cap crushes some more.  And on it goes.  So, not only is tapping 
> the strings down a temporary fix, it's making matters worse in the long run.

I agree, and tapping in bridge pins would be even worse.