Bridge Pins Stuck? How to Get Them Out Without Damaging the Bridge
A stuck bridge pin is almost never stuck by itself - the string's ball end is wedged against it. Free the ball end and most pins lift out with your fingers. Below are the safe methods in order, plus what to do about pins that pop up and a pin that broke off inside.
Editorial guide built from manufacturer instructions and specs - not hands-on testing. Product cards link to Amazon; we never show Amazon prices here.
Quick answer
Slacken the string completely, push it a centimetre down into the bridge hole to free the ball end, then lift the pin straight up with a pin puller or the notch on a string winder. Still stuck? Slacken the other strings, reach through the soundhole and push the pin up from underneath with a finger or a coin. Never lever against the bridge with pliers or a screwdriver.
Take the lesson finder quiz
Prices last checked: Oct 2026 where a verified price is shown on a card - confirm at checkout. Editorial from published facts, not hands-on testing: How we rate.
Why bridge pins stick
- The ball end is wedged between the pin and the bridge plate under the top - by far the usual cause (Sweetwater, SIT Strings).
- Humidity: MusicRadar notes wood moving with the seasons can make the holes grip the pins.
- The pin was pushed in too hard at the last string change.
Method 1: free the ball end (try this first)
- Detune the string until it is completely slack.
- Push the string a little way down into the bridge hole - this drops the ball end away from the pin.
- Lift the pin straight up with your fingers, a pin puller or the notch on a string winder. Pull up; do not lever sideways.
The D'Addario Pro-Winder's pin puller is the tool Sweetwater names - it gives little leverage, which is exactly why it is safe:
Illustration - AI-generated, not a photo of the exact product.
StarterD'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter + pin puller)
The one restringing tool every case should contain
$12.99
Manufacturer/retailer list price (not an Amazon price): D'Addario product page - checked 2026-10-18. Confirm before buying.
String winderhardened-steel string cutter and acoustic bridge-pin puller in one tool (per D'Addario)
Maker/retailer source for the price & specs above (citation, not a buy link): D'Addario
See price on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, FretCompare earns from qualifying purchases. Price shown only on Amazon.
Prices last checked: Oct 2026 where a verified price is shown on a card - confirm at checkout. Editorial from published facts, not hands-on testing: How we rate.
Method 2: push it up from inside
Slacken (or remove) the other strings enough to get a hand through the soundhole. Feel for the underside of the stuck pin, then wiggle and push it up. If fingers are not enough, press or tap it upward with something light, like a coin or small block of wood - Sweetwater's suggestion. Take your time; Sweetwater's main warning is not to give in to brute force, because that is how bridges and pins get damaged.
Method 3: careful tool lift (last resort)
If it still will not move: wrap a soft cloth around the pin head, close the jaws of side cutters lightly under the head without biting into it, and lift straight up rather than prying. Repairers who use this method protect the bridge with a cloth or a thin piece of wood and never use the saddle as a fulcrum. If the pin starts to crack, stop and go back to Method 1 - after some jostling, the ball end often lets go.
Pins popping up while tuning
A pin that rises as you tune means the ball end is not seated against the bridge plate - it is sitting on the end of the pin (SIT Strings). Slacken, push the string down, then reseat: ball end in, pin in with its groove facing the neck, and pull the string up gently while holding the pin until you feel the ball end catch. MusicRadar's tip: put a small bend in the string just above the ball end so it turns toward the bridge plate as you push the pin in. Full method: how to restring an acoustic guitar.
A pin broke off inside
Slacken all strings, reach inside and push the remaining piece up from underneath - often it comes out easily once the string tension is gone. If the stub is wedged tight, or the hole looks chipped, split or oversized, take it to a tech rather than drilling or digging at it.
Replacing pins, and when to see a tech
Pins come in different diameters and tapers, so replacements should match your guitar's holes; a pin that is too fat can split a bridge. See a tech if pins are cracked, loose in their holes or stick every single time, or if you see cracks around the bridge or the bridge lifting at its back edge.
FAQ
How do I get a stuck bridge pin out?
Slacken the string, push it into the hole to free the ball end, then lift the pin straight up with a pin puller. If that fails, push it up from inside the soundhole with a finger or coin.
Can I use pliers to remove bridge pins?
Only as a last resort, wrapped in cloth, lifting straight up without levering on the bridge or saddle. Pliers squeezed hard can cut into the pin or damage the bridge.
Why do my bridge pins keep popping up?
The ball end is resting on the tip of the pin instead of against the bridge plate. Slacken, reseat, and pull the string up gently while holding the pin until the ball end catches.
What if a bridge pin breaks inside the guitar?
Slacken all strings and push the stub up from underneath. If it is wedged or the hole is damaged, see a tech.
Fix-it guides: Restring a classical - Capo out of tune - Install locking tuners - Loose tuning pegs - Stuck bridge pins - Do you need a string winder? - Best fretboard oil - Hum stops when you touch strings - Strings too hard to press - Install strap locks
Strings & care guides: Restring an acoustic - Restring an electric - Clean a fretboard - Strings rusting - String keeps breaking - Dull or dead tone - How to store a guitar
Sources checked Oct 19, 2026: Sweetwater on removing a stuck bridge pin, SIT Strings stuck-pin help, MusicRadar bridge-pin guide, Grosse Pointe Music Academy repair note, Acoustic Guitar Forum repair discussion.
ILLUSTRATION