Making an End Pin

VegasGutPlucker · #1 08-06-2010, 02:23 PM

Hello friends,

I am looking to replace the maple drum stick I've been using as an end pin because the tip is being worn down. I refuse to use a rubber crutch tip, defeats the purpose on my particular set up and I don't really have problems with sliding on the floors I play on (hah, sidewalks)
I have access to a lathe as well as an experienced wood turner so I want to start making my own. I realize that I'll just have to try a bunch of different woods to see what I like best with my current set up, but I was curious if any members here could offer their experiences to help guide me to making better, less costly, decisions.
Here are the woods I am considering:

gabon ebony
granadillo
cocobollo

as well as any number of drum sticks I will try to experiment with before hacking up the expensive woods.

For what it's worth, here is the endpin assembly I am using, which takes a 14mm carbon fiber shaft.

Any and all help will be appreciated.

uprightben · #2 08-07-2010, 07:14 AM

Rosewood might be a good choice if you are taking your bass outside a lot in the desert you live in because it is so oily it won't suffer from the dryness as much. You could probably try all the woods you are concidering, turning blanks the size you need won't be that expensive.

You didn't say in your post what it is you want out of your end pin or why a drum stick isn't good enough for you. Are you looking for durability? some magic tone stick? something dead sexy? It is hard to give advice when you don't know what a person wants.

VegasGutPlucker · #3 08-07-2010, 11:21 AM

For me the main concern is sound. A drum stick worked fine but I'm curious about woods which are harder or heavier, tone woods. Durability is a factor but if the wood sounds great but has to be replaced often that could work.
Also, I no longer live in Vegas, I'm moving and bumping here in New York. Wish me luck!

eerbrev · #4 08-07-2010, 11:29 AM

I have an ebony end pin from Lemur music. I really dig it, and find that the change from the steel pin I had (which was a piece of garbage, btw) has been substantial, making my instrument noticeably warmer. I will again quantify that by saying that my previous end pin as all metal, the plug included, so your experience may vary, but I really enjoy the sound, as well as the look.

in regards to climate, I'm from Canada, most specifically the east coast/ontario (my bass has been both places in the past year), so I am unsure as to how ebony would act in your environment.

regards,

Eerbrev

VegasGutPlucker · #5 08-07-2010, 03:18 PM

Ebony is definitely on my list of woods to try. Good to hear you're enjoying yours.
The guy who is helping me suggested granadillo might be a better choice, but also mention Lignum Vitae since it's harder than ebony but has more oils in it and more resistant to climate change.

George700DL · #6 08-07-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VegasGutPlucker

Ebony is definitely on my list of woods to try. Good to hear you're enjoying yours.
The guy who is helping me suggested granadillo might be a better choice, but also mention Lignum Vitae since it's harder than ebony but has more oils in it and more resistant to climate change.

I made endpins for my bass out of walnut, red oak, and something else that I forgot. The difference in sound between them is exactly 0.

George

james condino · #7 08-07-2010, 11:23 PM

Focus less on how exotic your material is and more on the actual densities of the individual pieces of material. There are plenty of domestic woods that are VERY dense and very affordable. Everyone knows that African Blackwood is incredibly dense and exotic; I've got an apprentice who has been lusting after it for years. Last week he finally resawed his first boards of it only to find out that he is highly allergic to it and was wiped out for three days afterwards....

I enjoy turning on a lathe and regularly experiment with different endpins and other fittings. Here is a nice blonde one on my blonde bass. As for the rubber crutch tip, say what you want, but they rule on a dirty, sticky bar gig floor when the band and all the ladies are shakin' it hard late into the evenings...

j.

VegasGutPlucker · #8 08-08-2010, 11:43 AM

I wasn't trying to focus too much on how exotic a wood was, for me the bottom line is how does it SOUND. It would be nice to have a good strong endpin that contributed to the sound, I think this is my main goal. The harder woods seem like the best choice for this, and lignum vitae is as hard as it gets. There are some old old fids floating around I'd like to get my hands on.
In your experimentation did you find a preference for a cylinder verses a tapered pin like a drum stick? And, playing on a stable clean surface, does the rubber tip impact the sound at all? I can imagine playing on a wood stage floor one would want wood on wood contact, but that's a difference scenario.
Very pretty, James!