Sinking Bass

[Nagrom]

Howdy. I'm having a wee issue with my bass returning to ground zero, usually mid-song. I crank the screw about as tight as I can, and it holds just fine for awhile, sometimes even all night, then without warning, down she goes.

It's rather bothersome.

So, can anyone...

1. Identify my endpin

2. Comment upon its' worthiness (Junk?)

3. Suggest an improvement to the existing arrangement that does require packing handtools to the gig.

Thanks

[Square Bear]

two options - just file a notch at the height you want it. or get a new endpin.

[M0ses]

Option 1 seems better because if you decide you don't like it later, you just get a new endpin.

[Square Bear]

plus it's a free fix, provided you have a file.

[Nagrom]

The screw doesn't engage the shaft of the pin, it tightens a sleeve which compresses against the shaft. So I don't see how a notch could help. I think I need to increase the contact area, perhaps by smoothing with emery cloth, thus increasing the developed friction , or make the shaft sticky to accomplish the same thing.

But, carry on with the ideas...

[Square Bear]

right. file a groove for the "sleeve" to fit into. it won't slip when it's tight.

[Nagrom]

Yes, that would probably do it, a bit of filing. I'll think on that a bit.

[Eric Rene Roy]

Originally Posted by Nagrom

So, can anyone...

1. Identify my endpin

hard to tell from the picture...looks like a German endpin we used to import (when I worked for an importer, not Upton Bass) called Weilder (sp?). Is the black housing bakelite?

[Gearhead43]

Get an Atomic endpin, problem solved.

[M0ses]

Originally Posted by Nagrom

The screw doesn't engage the shaft of the pin, it tightens a sleeve which compresses against the shaft.

Oh I see....maybe...

The screw brings two half-circles closer together?

[Nagrom]

Sorry for the previous photo quality.

Eric. German makes sense, it's a Musima. The housing is possibly bakelite.

Moses, the sleeve is a donut that the pin passes through. The screw works as a drawpin to pull the pin against the housing on one side and the far side of the sleeve on the other.

I crank the screw till my wrist hurts, sometimes I can't barely undo it, and still it will slip without warning.

[robobass]

Funny how things get designed, manufactured, and sold, when they couldn't possibly work. These plated pins are to smooth to hold properly even in a conventional collar. You might get away with simply roughing up the surface of the pin. Try chucking it in a hand drill and spinning it against some 60 grit automotive sandpaper. Maybe even try to roll up a piece of sandpaper and rough up the inside of the collar.

[Cody Sisk]

Originally Posted by robobass

Funny how things get designed, manufactured, and sold, when they couldn't possibly work. These plated pins are to smooth to hold properly even in a conventional collar. You might get away with simply roughing up the surface of the pin. Try chucking it in a hand drill and spinning it against some 60 grit automotive sandpaper. Maybe even try to roll up a piece of sandpaper and rough up the inside of the collar.

+1 That's what I would try..

[Michael Case]

I had an endpin like that, it even had notches. I replaced it mostly because my bass wheel would spin around in the socket and I couldn't walk three steps without the bass spinning of in a new direction. It also slipped from time to time, but the wheel issue was my main reason for changing it.

I'd say if it is slipping too much, replace the whole set up, anything you try to do will alter the pin too much and cause it to not fit in the socket securely.

[Nagrom]

Seems like the general consensus is 'junk'. So I haven't much to lose except for possibly making it worse. I'll try polishing the interior of the collar/sleeve to increase the contact area without increasing the diameter much. Hopefully soon & I'll report back later...

[Michael Case]

Originally Posted by Nagrom

Seems like the general consensus is 'junk'. So I haven't much to lose except for possibly making it worse. I'll try polishing the interior of the collar/sleeve to increase the contact area without increasing the diameter much. Hopefully soon & I'll report back later...

You could do that, then replace the end-pin, or you could just replace the end-pin. Sorry to be so insistent, but the time you spend on that pointless mission you could be practicing.

Plus if you're cranking "the screw till my wrist hurts, sometimes I can't barely undo it, and still it will slip without warning." You're not going to have much luck with the pin period.

I know from experience, that end-pin is not worth trying to save.

[Nagrom]

It's somewhat better now, but MC is probably right, time to rip it out.

[Paul Warburton]

Why take a chance on this, man?..
I've seen basses that were doing this slow slipping thing, then one day....pow..... complete collapse, the shaft get so worn and broken down, the bass crashes down cracking the end block. Save some pennies and blow some really big bucks .....and possibly end up with a bass that sounds and feels completely different.

[rgr]

I also have this endpin on my carved Eberle. Would replacing either the housing, endpin (carbon fiber perhaps), or both have a postive effect on the sound. The diameter of the plug is larger than the ones sold on Ebay or Gollihur. Can anyone recommend a place to find a direct replacement?

[fdeck]

I'd be concerned about PW's point.

A temporary measure is a small hose clamp and some bike innertube rubber. Not ideal, but better than crashing the bass.