I GOT MY BASS DRILLED AND I LOVE IT

[Bassic Karma]

Just thought that I would tell everyone! and also open the floor for discussion on the amazing laborie-style endpin like this one, except mine is wood!

[michaeln]

OK, I'll bite. Why is this a good thing?

[Bassic Karma]

Haha! Well lets see, so many things, so many things.

First of all the setup. As you can see, the endpin is at an interesting angle. What this provides for the person playing the bass is that the center of balance of the instrument becomes remarkably different. The bass will seem to naturally lean into the player. What this does is ease the pressure of your left hand holding the bass. When trying to run up and down the fingerboard it becomes more natural seeing as less effort has to be put into holding up the instrument with your left had. Essentially, your left hand can float around the fingerboard without that extra strength and pressure needed from your left hand to balance the instrument. This really helps for faster passages.

Now for the tone quality (remember, mine is a wooden piece-this makes a huge difference) What I have noticed from personal experience is that it really opens the sound of my BASS ! It gives it a more natural and beautiful tone. A few of my teachers have said specifically that it allows more overtones to be heard at once for a much more powerful sound. I'm no expert, but I think that the explanation behind it is that when the long metal endpin is removed, the bass has more freedom to vibrate and ring, because previously the instruments vibrations were dampened by the metal rod inside. When replaced with my wooden piece, It just feels so much more alive!

Hope that made sense

[bigolbassguy]

I'm relieved that you remembered to put the B in 'bass'

[bommer]

Originally Posted by bigolbassguy

I'm relieved that you remembered to put the B in 'bass'

hahahahahaha!

[swamprocker]

Originally Posted by bigolbassguy

I'm relieved that you remembered to put the B in 'bass'

oh man...i laughed hard

[Gearhead43]

Originally Posted by michaeln

OK, I'll bite. Why is this a good thing?

Should be obvious, but just in case ( as it has not been mentioned as an answer to your question) - that style of endpin is for playing in a seated position, for arco players mostly I would assume.

[Phil Rowan]

I thought it made more sense to only stand when using an angled end pin.. angled end pin users who've had their basses drilled and loved it, care to chime in?

[JtheJazzMan]

You cant sit with a long endpin, but then again mines like 35cm protruding from the bass.

You can put a stumpy one in and sit down though.

[Bassic Karma]

OK so that joke went over my head but anyways I stand with my bass and yes, generally use arco. Then again, I'm about 5 feet tall

[quenoil]

Originally Posted by Gearhead43

Should be obvious, but just in case ( as it has not been mentioned as an answer to your question) - that style of endpin is for playing in a seated position, for arco players mostly I would assume.

One can sit with the Laborie endpin, but many of of its benefits are for playing standing.

[dan-says]

Originally Posted by Bassic Karma

OK so that joke went over my head but anyways I stand with my bass and yes, generally use arco. Then again, I'm about 5 feet tall

Read this statement again "What I have noticed from personal experience is that it really opens the sound of my *ass!"

Get it? lol

[Eric Hochberg]

Watch some Francois Rabbath, Garcia-Fons, Rufus Reid or lynn Seaton vids to see it being used.

[Herbie 80's]

I have my bass drilled as well. I thought that I would like it, but I really didn't. Perhaps the pin is too long right now and I should get it cut down. I'm not really motivated to because straight pin is just so easy. I'm use to straight, so why change now?

My first teacher had one and let me try it once. I liked it then, but I guess I don't now. I wish I bought one of the faux drill blocks instead of directly drilling my bass!

[Cody Sisk]

Originally Posted by dan-says

Read this statement again "What I have noticed from personal experience is that it really opens the sound of my *ass!"

Get it? lol

Close but no cigar.

[Bassic Karma]

Okay guys cool it on the bass-ass jokes!!!!!!!!!! I fixed it!

Anyways, In response to Herbie 80's: You should have thought it through better but oh well the past is behind us. I would say get a wooden one, and you can cut it yourself to the desired length (just dont cut it too short-no turning back). I cut about 1/2 inch off mine myself with an old rusty saw.

[Schoolhouse]

I install lots of Laborie style end pins in the DC area. Most of the players find the results favorable. An alternative to drilling is the use of a KC Strings tilt block, where an external block mounted through the normal end pin hole serves as an anchor for the angled pin. The use of this type of pin can free-up the left hand, give the player more feedback (the bass seems louder), and help with bow pressure especially for French bow players.

[Bassic Karma]

Just so everyone can get a clearer understanding. I Love my Bass!
Its an oak piece painted black.

[michaeln]

Yes, the black goes so well with the orange of the bass. Must be great on Halloween!

[Bassic Karma]

Thank you! Oh I'm sure it will be amazing on Halloween just as it is the rest of the year.