First, let me say I am a great admirer of your work! Thank you for taking the time to impart your hard-earned wisdom here!
I was wondering if you can explain the advantages and caveats of a "bent" end pin as it relates to jazz. I'm about to make the switch to one to pursue more classical studies, but I swing every night for a living.

Thank you very much,
Adam

Hello,
I have had a bent endpin for many years. The main reason has to do with balancing the bass. The bent pin changes the center of gravity so it does not lean as heavily on the left thumb. The angle of the instrument is the same as other Rabbath systems. That of course also helps with the bow. Other jazz players are either using a bent pin or drilling the angle including Rufus Reid. KC Strings has designed a wooden plate for the bottom of the bass for those that don't want to drill a new hole in the instrument for the endpin. You could search their site on the web.

Thank you for your advice. I didn't know Rufus used one as well! That's two I respect and admire! I was also wondering if you could share your thoughts on Rabbath Techniques as it applies to jazz in general. I find that a lot of players tend to go through Simandl and then just run with that. Are there benefits to knowing Rabbath's way of playing that lend themselves to jazz?

Using the Rabbath method has taught me the entire fingerboard. It allows me to play across the board in any spot all the way up the neck. It helped a lot with accuracy of pitch as well. The rotation of the left hand creates a greater range in one position without shifting. The bow technique applies to soloing in jazz. Overall, it really changed my playing for the better.

Thanks again!

Lynn,

I appreciated reading your experiences with Rabbath's method and how it changed your playing. I was studying Rabbath for awhile, now I am back to Simandl with my current teacher. Hope to learn more from Rabbath's methods in the future but am getting a lot out of Simandl for now.

I also wanted to add that George Vance at Slava Publishing sells a metal bent Laborie endpin for $25.00. I think it is set up to fit into a 10mm endpin socket. My teacher uses this and seems to like it, don't know if you or anyone else here has experience with this sytem.

I had the drilling done at a conference by Robertson's Violin Shop and have never regretted this but am going to order the metal one for my other bass.

Some of my students use this bent metal endpin instead of the Laborie designed one for various reasons (rented bass, still growing, etc.). It basically works but is in no way a substitute for Laborie's carbon fiber (or more recent wooden) design. For $25 its worth experimenting with, though.