i have a 1979 gibson j-40 which has no bridge pins, the strings are just run right thru the saddle. it has a beautiful tone and the luthier that i use to set up my guitar said the extra tone comes from not having the bridge pins. i think gibson only made this model for 2 years and mine is a walnut color, and i have played the hell out of it. i bought it brand new in march of 1980 and it has been everywhere with me. bob.