Mark is more than right. ALWAYS thread an extra ball end or two onto a new string before installing it! This allows a flat larger contact surface against the bridge plate giving more (the added weight helps) and balanced sound. (the wedge effect of the round ball, over time, enlarges the bridge plate slot or splits it) and adding two or three extra balls on a string shims it so that the string winding does not touch the saddle notch and destroy it or the sound.) The bridge pins should never touch the string or ball ends. Any pressure exerted at this point will in time split the bridge and all the while give poor sound. The bridge pins are only pretty trim and serve no other purpose. They should be able to be removed and installed at will without altering the tuning. If they are loose swell them with hot water and rub them with a fiddle bow to make them sticky. Good for the bow too. Those of us who have vintage acoustics protect the bridge plate while greatly enhancing the sound by adding an additional bridge plate of metal (usually brass to slow corrosion.) The metal plate touches only the bridge plate and the ball end. Never the pins. Vendors offer these for under $10. Just ask a vintage collector where.