Endpin stops??

alanhasradar · #1 01-24-2007, 09:06 AM

Hey everyone,

Maybe an odd question, but does anyone have an opinion about endpin stops for really hard/slick floors? I've seen them range in price from around $7 to around $15 with various designs and materials.
I can't believe I haven't needed one until now, but the room where the orchestra is rehearsing is really hard and slick rendering a sharp pin and little rubber nub useless.

Thanks!

PoorPlayer · #2 01-24-2007, 09:55 AM

Back in the day, we used rockstops. Today I'd consider one of the endpin balls.

alanhasradar · #3 01-24-2007, 01:28 PM

I do remember the ol Rockstop from back in the day...

I was checking out either the 'Black Hole' from Lemur or the 'Slip Stop' metal cup from Shar (or other shops).
I thought of the Xeros strap that attaches to the stool but was concerned that it would extend far enough away from the stool.

Any thoughts on any of the above? 'Preciate it!

MonetBass · #4 01-24-2007, 02:11 PM

Rock stops were fun to fling around, but I hated them when they got dry. Last time I was at the shop I picked up a couple of rubber tips which just cover the 'pointy part' (for FREE). They do wear out so I'll probably look at something like the ball end in the future.

toman · #5 01-24-2007, 02:18 PM

My endpin came with a screw-on rubber tip, which, while nicely made, was rather hard and not sticky. I bought the biggest, softest walker tip I could find at the drugstore, then I used a Dremel tool to grind down the original tip so it would fit into the new one, just barely. Then I soaked it down with whatever solvent I found to soften the rubber and lubricate a bit, and with much effort shoved it into the new tip. It's been on there for years now and is still quite a way from wearing out. Total cost: like two bucks and half an hour of work... Also, there's no way it can get lost, but I think when it finally wears out I can get it off with a knife.

billyfalconer · #6 01-25-2007, 12:36 PM

Use an old belt, assuming you're sitting on a stool.

robbass1 · #7 01-25-2007, 12:42 PM

I've stopped using endpin stops so with slick floors, my endpin has a point so I look for cracks or dimples to anchor myself too. With tiles, the corners are often chipped and that works for me.

Baird · #8 01-25-2007, 07:30 PM

If you sit on a stool, this http://shop1.mailordercentral.com/le...p?number=A1242 is awesome! I had been having a great deal of trouble with the school's bass (dull tip, just a bit of rubber left) and it slipping on the band hall floor. I tried belts to no avail because the endpin was so dull it slipped on the belt too!

Of course, for my bass this isn't as much of a problem (nice sharp tip and rubber screw on bit), but the endpin anchor still helps when you are asked not to punch holes in tile etc.!

JoeyNaeger · #9 01-25-2007, 08:02 PM

The black hole stoppers are amazing. For fun we set one on a stool while my friend pushed on the stool. While he was doing that, I leaned my weight on the side of the black hole with my hand and got no slipage whatsoever.

bassist1962 · #10 01-25-2007, 08:19 PM

I use an endpin ball. It screws right on to the end pin, no need to lug around an endpin rest/stopper of anysort. So far I have used it and played on carpet, deck wood, varying degrees of hardwood flooring, vinyl, linoleum, and cement. It works wonders.

LeslieD · #11 01-28-2007, 07:21 AM

I've tried most end pin stops it seems, but can't get terribly excited about any of them. The Wolf super-ball has three screws that, no matter how hard you tighten, always seem to come loose. So, it's a pretty good device but can be a little frustrating at times. Also, after a few years they wear out and get sort of hard, pitted, and flat on the bottom. The black hole works pretty well...as long as you spit on it before you put it on the floor.

rick123 · #12 01-28-2007, 09:15 AM

I like the Clef endpin tip that Upton sells. It is very reliable and has none of the "screw loosening" issues of the Wolf ball. They are available for two shaft diameters and uses a rubber tip that can readily be found at our local Ace hardware. I received no compensation for this glowing endorsement.

dchan · #13 01-30-2007, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeslieD

The Wolf super-ball has three screws that, no matter how hard you tighten, always seem to come loose. So, it's a pretty good device but can be a little frustrating at times.

+1. When my school bought a new bass, they got a Wolf Super-ball with it. It worked well at first and kept the bass from slipping. Soon, however, I don't know if it was my touching the screws or what, but I get my bass from the locker and the ball is gone. Poof. Just disappeared.

I think I screwed in the ball tightly enough. My theory is that, when the bass is played, the vibrations to the endpin must have shook off the ball, and I simply didn't see it after rehearsal.

My other theory is that it was stolen, but I doubt that.

Anyway, it would be better if they made the endpin ball screw in like every other endpin tip. I think the Laborie endpins have one.

Stan Haskins · #14 01-30-2007, 08:41 AM

I use a crutch tip (purchased at any drug stor for about $5/pair). You can slip it over the existing "rubber stopper" for a tight fit. Spiking the bass is ideal, but if you can't spike it, the crutch tip will NEVER slip.

alanhasradar · #15 01-30-2007, 12:39 PM

Thanks for all of the advice, friends!
This place where the orchestra rehearses has a floor made of some kind of crazy, inpenetrable material...I've tried to dig in and leave my mark but to no avail (j/k).

I hope my order comes in soon 'cause the 4th mvt of Beethoven 6th and a slippy bass=no fun

Chasarms · #16 01-30-2007, 01:43 PM

The stopper that KC Strings sells, which comes with their pin but will fit a standard 10mm pin, is VERY tough. I have had mine for three years and it stills looks new. That's using it on concrete, outside, etc. It is designed so you can tip the bass and it still grips into a hard floor.

They sell just the stoppers if I am not mistaken.

http://www.kcstrings.com/bass-end-pins.html

shwashwa · #17 01-30-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan Haskins

I use a crutch tip (purchased at any drug stor for about $5/pair). You can slip it over the existing "rubber stopper" for a tight fit. Spiking the bass is ideal, but if you can't spike it, the crutch tip will NEVER slip.

i too have some of these tips, and for the most part they're great, but unfortunately, sometimes they do slip, like the other night on my friend's hardwood floor. of course i wasnt allowed to poke a hole in his floor with my spike, so i grabbed the throw rug he has in front of his front door. perfect. now i just keep a cheap throw rug in my car all the time for those situations. kind of like what drummers do...

JoeyNaeger · #18 01-30-2007, 05:27 PM

If you apply some spit to the bottom of those sorts of tips and let it dry, it won't slip at all.

clink · #19 01-30-2007, 05:36 PM

The KC Strings tip fits a 10mm end pin thread so it wouldn't work on my 8mm pin. I bought this one from Lemur:
http://shop1.mailordercentral.com/le...?number=A1259R

They sell the tip separately.
I wish the rubber was a bit softer, but it grips the floor pretty well.
The Wolf rubber ball works well also.

Bob Branstetter · #20 01-30-2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baird

If you sit on a stool, this http://shop1.mailordercentral.com/le...p?number=A1242 is awesome!

I'll second that. I've been using the Zeros Endpin Anchor for years and I've yet to find a surface that it did not work well on - from polished marble to bare ground.