Endpin upgrade?

[BassGreaser]

This might sound like a silly question, but if one doesn't use their endpin to rise the bass any, is it still a good idea to upgrade to a better endpin? I'm 5'6, and I like where my nut is when I play, but the endpin is pretty crappy. It has a plastic caller with a hollow metal shaft, and it rattles alittle. Would a better endpin help the tone of the bass any? I know a better endpin with a cork lining will stop the rattle. What should I do

[Adrian Cho]

It will definitely make some difference and besides, you never know when you might need to change the height of the bass. What someone else needs to play your bass at a jam session for example? A good endpin with a tip that comes off will also give you a couple of options (i.e. a pointed tip for sticking into old wooden floors, rubber tip for slippery surfaces, etc.). However there are also plenty of other things to spend your money on too.

I just got a new bass and I'm changing the bridge, the nut, the strings, the tailpiece, tailpiece cable, and the endpin.

[tww001]

anyone know where I can buy just the rubber screw cap for my end pin?

[Bob Branstetter]

Originally Posted by tww001

anyone know where I can buy just the rubber screw cap for my end pin?

Lemur Music has some and KC Strings makes a nice one.

[Nick Ara]

Originally Posted by BassGreaser

This might sound like a silly question, but if one doesn't use their endpin to rise the bass any, is it still a good idea to upgrade to a better endpin? I'm 5'6, and I like where my nut is when I play, but the endpin is pretty crappy. It has a plastic caller with a hollow metal shaft, and it rattles alittle. Would a better endpin help the tone of the bass any? I know a better endpin with a cork lining will stop the rattle. What should I do

Not a silly question at all! I'm 5'4" and my 3/4 basses have their endpins retracted most of the time. I cut the lengths down about 4 or 5 inches to reduce the vibrating length and save a couple of ounces of dead weight, though.

If I didn't occassionaly sit when playing, I might have cut them down further still. I find that with most bar stools, I need to extend the pin 2 or 3 inches to bring the bass height more in line with where it would be if I were playing standing.

Funny, but I always take my bass to jam sessions, even though there's always one on stage for me to use. A house bassist once got pretty ticked off when I asked if I could lower his endpin. I think he probably stood about 6'5" and I sure wasn't going to argue with him!!