Carbon Fiber Endpin Rubber Tip Help

Matt Weiner · #1 12-29-2009, 03:46 PM

OK, I searched the threads and I think I have a question that hasn't been answered before. If it has, please point me in the right direction, and accept my apologies for bringing this up.

I have this endpin:

http://www.uptonbass.com/Carbonfiber-Bass-endpin/

(Didn't get it from Upton, but its the same one)

I have the 10mm size. I love it. Nice and light for carrying the bass. Sounds great. Etc, etc, etc

The only thing is the rubber tip comes off all the time. So, I got extra tips here:

http://www.internationalviolin.com/i...ItemCode=37011

They are the same rubber tip that came with the endpin. Its the only thing I've found that fits. Wolf endpin ball doesn't fit. The endpin tip is too big for it. Rubber floor stoppers (like Stoppin) work, but don't work for me because I move the bass around a bit in performance.

I should add that I usually take off the rubber stopper for performances, but sometimes (cement floor, nice folks living room floor) I need a rubber stopper. Mainly I need the stopper for transport.

The things just keep coming off.

Is there another tip that fits that endpin? Can the endpin be modified? Is there an adjustable CF endpin that has a screw on tip?

Thanks.

**Francois Blais** · #2 12-29-2009, 06:16 PM

The one Bob G. is selling has a threaded tip.
I use the Onyx rubber stopper with it. (available in 8 and 10 mm from lemur)

Eric Rene Roy · #3 12-29-2009, 06:55 PM

pm sent...

Matt Weiner · #4 12-30-2009, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the posts and the PM's. I think I have a solution now.

It still surprises me that with all the talk about endpins, carbon fiber and otherwise, there is no standard replacement endpin rod with a decent tip/stopper thing on the bottom.

bejoyous · #5 12-30-2009, 02:59 PM

I had to make one myself from a cane tip.

I took the pin to the drug store and found a size that fit the brass washer at the end of the pin. I inserted a washer to the bottom of the hole so the point won't dig through. I also had to carve out the rubber bump that was halfway down the hole of the cane tip. I think it is there so it stays on the wooden cane.

It only cost about $3 plus the time.

Matt Weiner · #6 12-31-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejoyous

I had to make one myself from a cane tip.

I took the pin to the drug store and found a size that fit the brass washer at the end of the pin. I inserted a washer to the bottom of the hole so the point won't dig through. I also had to carve out the rubber bump that was halfway down the hole of the cane tip. I think it is there so it stays on the wooden cane.

It only cost about $3 plus the time.

I can't quite picture this one in my head, but it sounds really cool.
The replacement tips from International Violin have a little plastic insert, but they don't stay on. It sounds like you've recreated this idea with your tip.

I lose them mostly in transit: Just picking up the bass, putting it down and resting it while you carefully open a door, putting the bass down again while you close the door. Carefully maneuvering the bass in a van full of gear. You folks know what I mean.

The worst feeling: setting the bass down on the pavement and hearing the clank that means my stopper has fallen off somewhere along the way and I just ground my nice sharp tip into the cement.

I should add that I use the Bass Buggie (its awesome!), so I don't remove my endpin to wheel my bass around.

bejoyous · #7 01-05-2010, 10:36 AM

There is also this little attachment you could get.

Bruce Lindfield · #8 01-05-2010, 10:40 AM

I have the exact same endpin - but have not had the problem you mention at all...

Matt Weiner · #9 01-07-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejoyous

There is also this little attachment you could get.

I have the wolf endpin ball. It doesn't fit over this particular endpin. The endpin is too large (10mm diameter) for the wolf.

Matt Weiner · #10 01-07-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I have the exact same endpin - but have not had the problem you mention at all...

You lucky dog, you. I used my steel pin last night, and the tone of my NS Cleve ply was noticeably "smaller" with a piano trio. In fact, someone in the audience noticed it.

Honestly, at home, I can't tell the difference between endpins, but once I'm playing with some other folks in a room, the advantages of my CF endpin become obvious to me. For me, on my Cleveland, with guts strings, and no amp, it is easier to pull a big sound with the CF endpin.

I'm just waiting for my clef endpin tip to arrive from Upton. Then, I'm gonna saw my CF endpin in half and make 2 lightweight endpins, one for transport and one for scratching up the floor.

Bruce Lindfield · #11 01-08-2010, 03:15 AM

When I bought it, I noticed a much bigger sound in some rooms. So I tend to rehearse at a friend's house with all wood floors and the sound is great there!

I wish I could take that floor to every gig!!

lincland · #12 02-24-2010, 11:54 PM

This is not your question, but I thought I would throw in the comment. I used that exactly same endpin for a while. I liked the sound, but I found it to slightly unstable. It caused the bass to wobble and vibrate a bit. I tried to rationalize it every way I can, but the body of the bass was just not stable. I hope you have better luck than I did.

samuelsun · #13 03-05-2010, 01:29 PM

you've probably already solved this problem, but I have a similar solution to the one with the cane tip. I just bought various sized crutch tips from the hardware store. I put a penny in the bottom of the larger tip, then fitted the smaller crutch tip upside down inside of the larger one. The endpin pokes through the small one but stays snug, the penny keeps the bass from poking through the large one. There is no difference in sound from the seven other tips I had tried in the past few months.