I have a recent D-1A and one of the bridge pins keeps falling out. Also the end pin has fallen out. Is this normal?

Where are you located? Is your guitar kept in a humidity controlled environment? It sounds like your guitar is drying out and this is VERY bad. The humidity level should be between 40 and 60% and you can measure that with a guage purchased at places like radio shack. If the guitar is too dry, the pins can fall out. But worse, the top can crack.

I agree with Brett that priority one is making sure that you are keeping your guitar humidified properly.

If you are controlling humidity and still have the issue with your pins, try light coats of super glue on the pin. Let a couple of very light coats dry completely on the pin and then check the fit. It doesn't take much, so be careful. Sand as necessary.

If you don't like the idea of super glue...moisten a Q-tip with saliva and run it around the inside of the bridge pin holes. There is an enzyme in saliva that causes wood to swell. Rub a little on the pin while your at it.

--David

I've owned three Collings dreads and the bridge pins have been loose on two of them. I live in piedmont North Carolina, so it's not exactly dry here. The two offenders are '01 models. What year is your D1? I have also experienced buzzing problems with the two.

The D-1A is from 2006. The humidity is between 40 and 60%.

Hello W. I have had this happen. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the humidity of the guitar. We're talking about thousandths of an inch tolerances. My summer 2006 D1AVsb came with pins that were loose. The pins in general get picked out of a stock of mass produced parts. I have a number of sets of ebony, braz rosewood and bone pins for my guitars. On that particular guitar, the other pins sets of mine fit well. I have coated ebony pins with superglue & it does harden them and take longer to get a string imprint on them. So....pins falling out doesn't necessarily mean you are abusing or neglecting your beloved Collings
Regards,
Doc

My D2H does not have a pin problem on ethier my ebony or my Ivory pins. Normally you might want to use a little candle wax to make the pins easy to remove on a string change but if they are falling out you might want to try a LITTLE!bit of peg dope used normally on violin tuning pegs. It can be found at your local music store. I stress the word little because a little bit will do it. As for Humidity 48% would be considered perfect, If you stay in the high 50% and 60% you will have a problem with things bowing and swelling. If you notice you have to tune up a lot this could be a warning something is not right such as humidity. Hope it helps..

Bridge pins I understand - push it in tighter. But end pins are glued in aren't they? How could that fall out!!!?? ()