titanium endpin

kurt muroki · #1 04-07-2007, 09:06 PM

Just wanted to share something that I found interesting. I just picked up a titanium endpin (as well as a carbon fiber one) in japan from the yamamoto bass shop in tokyo, the titanium endpin is much brighter and louder than the standard goetz endpin and the carbon fiber is softer and more mellow. I didnt expect that the sound would change as much as it did.

G-force · #2 04-08-2007, 03:32 AM

Kurt, Would you mind posting some photos of the two endpins?

Is the titanium pin solid or a composite?

Do you have a link for this bass shop and know if they sell internationally?

Thanks
G

kurt muroki · #3 04-08-2007, 05:51 PM

here is the link... http://www.yamamoto-bass.com/ the titanium endpin looks like a standard goetz endpin except its lighter colored (solid not composite). the graphite looks the same but black. I do not know if they ship the endpins, you will have to contact them. Oh and they speak english.

Jake deVilliers · #4 04-08-2007, 09:53 PM

Kurt, that URL gets me a screen full of question marks!

Are you sure about the English?

Thanks, Jake

ArenW · #5 04-09-2007, 12:39 PM

My day job is at a machine shop and I have experimented with turning endpins out of a couple grades of stainless steel, and titanium. While the titanium is lighter in weight, the steel pins seemed to help produce a more robust sound than the titanium. I'm not sure what the physics are behind it, but I opted to go with the steel after a couple trys. I've never tried carbon fiber but I would think that it would tend to fall in line with the weight/mass thing and deliver less than the titanium and steel. Just a guess, and my $.02.

RevJPBass · #6 04-09-2007, 02:15 PM

I just got the Chuck Traeger book "Setup and repair of the double bass for optimum sound" and he recommends as one of his "genies" of optimum sound a 5/8" endpin set up using a hardwood drumstick as the endpin. Sure cheaper than titanium, I'd think. Anyone have experience with this approach?

hirort · #7 04-09-2007, 02:34 PM

The Yamamoto Bass Shop is one of the best bass shops in Japan. If you have a chance to visit Tokyo, I highly recommend to visit them. Unfortunately, their website is in Japanese only.

But you can contact with them by sending email to;
mail AT yamamoto-bass.com
Both Mr. Yamamoto and Mr. Kimoto speak English.

kurt muroki · #8 04-10-2007, 11:37 AM

yes the titanium endpin doesnt get a more "robust" sound, but is a brighter more carying sound (which I prefer on my bass for solo playing). I think that the wooden endpin gets a nice warm sound like the carbon fiber which is good for situations in which you need that type of sound.

oh and the website is in japanese. but there is a telephone # on the page which you can call (which can be viewed even if you do not have japanese fonts installed) as well as the email indicated above by hirort.

Blaine · #9 04-10-2007, 01:02 PM

I did the drumstick thing. it definitely made a difference, but not for for the better on my bass. my aluminum peg sounds better. he has some strong opinions in that book.

RevJPBass · #10 04-12-2007, 06:33 AM

Thanks for the two of you who replied. I'm curious, now, about what effect the various endpin materials have on sound. I've always played with, I assume, a regular carbon steel endpin. Sometimes I've taken the rubber tip off to "dig in" to a wood or other floor to see if that has an effect on sound. The Traeger book has my curiosity aroused as to wooden, titanium, etc. etc., endpins. Anyone have a general rule of thumb as to what one might expect from the different materials? Also, originally weren't all endpins relatively thick wood rods which were sized, lengthwise, to the bass and bassist?

hdiddy · #11 04-12-2007, 01:40 PM

Thanks for reminding me. I need to go get a drumstick and try it on the Norton Customs endpin. Come to think of it, I can just try different hardwood dowels from a hobby store. I'll let you guys know if anything ever comes out of it.

RevJPBass · #12 04-13-2007, 06:44 AM

Thanks to all who DIDN'T point out, "Hey, dummy, this has all been hashed out before." I finally got around to reading past threads on endpins and got most of what I wanted out of them. Thanks for a great all bass, all the time forum, everyone!

Louis90403 · #13 12-30-2007, 04:27 PM

Hi, this is probably the factory shop

.

http://www.vcyoyo.ecnet.jp/sub59

They sell various materiasl of endpins.

Co. · #14 12-31-2007, 05:17 AM

Improve your japanese with babelfish!

http://de.babelfish.yahoo.com/transl...C3%9Cbersetzen

robobass · #15 01-04-2008, 07:50 AM

Kurt,
Can I ask what you paid? I just looked at my industrial supply catalog. A 3/8" (9.5mm) dia. 12" length of pure (grade 2) titanium costs $27. A harder alloy (grade 5) costs $53. You can also get a 5/8" tube with 1/32" wall (grade 9) for 79 bucks.

I use the 3/8" grade 2. The surface hardness is such that you don't really need notches on it, and you (or your luthier) can grind a point on it with a disc sander or bench grinder (if you or he isn't afraid of a real fireworks display). This option is affordable for most people.

As far as sound, I find the above opinions to be similiar to my experience, but for me the difference was very subtle. I extend my endpin only about 3". It could be that those using a longer active length would find a more noticable effect. I'm still happy I did it though. Every ounce of weight saved...
Robobass