Tubular Endpin Choices

JJBluegrasser · #1 05-22-2006, 11:02 AM

Hi all,
I have a quality endpin in my bass currently, except that I am a little hard on the instrument in general, and I get a lot of bounce when I play. It's a good, but thin pin, and I think something bigger may work well for me. I'm trying to find a variety of sources for 5/8" and bigger (preferrably bigger) end pins. Graphite would be a bonus, but not a requirement. There doesn't seem to be much info on these larger pins in previous threads, unless I've missed something. In which case, I throw myself at your mercy.

I saw a guy play at Amra's in Raleigh, NC on Saturday, who had a great end pin, much like what I'm looking for. If that person is on here, I'd love to hear what you have (bolo, was that you?).

Can any one else point me to pictures and sources for something like what I'm after?

Thanks,
Jason

Johnny L · #2 05-22-2006, 11:06 AM

If you want as big as you want, you could try wood.

Some great players out there now are using wooden enpins.

You could even get creative with it, put it on a lathe, stain it and really have fun.

nicklloyd · #3 05-22-2006, 05:29 PM

Who is your luthier down there? 5/8" diameter endpins are easily available. However, they don't use the notch-system like the 8mm and 10mm pins.

JJBluegrasser · #4 05-22-2006, 06:13 PM

Hi Nick,
I go to Jerry Pasewicz here in Raleigh. He does really good work for me. He has a 5/8" graphite end pin in his shop for $170, but the tip on it is also 5/8. I've seen bigger pins than that, and I want to make sure I don't sink into any dirt or anything playing outside. I guess I could put a stopper on the end of my own making, but I'm kind of interested in something even bigger. Is my search unresonable? Will I be trading off something else going bigger, if I can even find it. The resources for this sort of thing are far and few between.

Jason

BenWC87 · #5 05-22-2006, 06:20 PM

Kansas City Strings has some excellent endpins. Check them out - http://www.kcstrings.com/mstlink7.htm

toman · #6 05-22-2006, 09:45 PM

Find a lathe you can use for an hour, and turn an endpin any size you want from some nice hardwood. Then drill a hole in your endblock and in it goes, like the Laborie pins, only not at an angle. (or angle it if you want...) Then stick a crutch tip on the end. Practically free, cool looking, and easily replacable. You could even keep a spare or other length in your bag...

JJBluegrasser · #7 05-23-2006, 01:25 PM

Thanks for all the thoughts so far guys. I don't think I'm looking for a wooden pin. I need something that is really strong, because of how indelicately I play. I also, likely don't have the time or resources to make one. It's an interesting idea, just not one that solves my issues right now.

Does anyone know of anything bigger than 5/8". I know I've seen them, more than once, but I can't find them anywhere.

Jason

Johnny L · #8 05-23-2006, 02:38 PM

Well if you want REALLY HUGE you could balance it on a cinderblock or something...surround it with a little wood cradle or something so the bass can't move without lots of force.

Whit Townsend · #9 05-23-2006, 02:51 PM

the wooden endpin in my old kay is stronger than any adjustable metal one that I've ever seen. Turned from very hard maple.

JJBluegrasser · #10 05-23-2006, 02:57 PM

"Well if you want REALLY HUGE you could balance it on a cinderblock or something...surround it with a little wood cradle or something so the bass can't move without lots of force."

Thanks so much...

mje · #11 05-23-2006, 07:52 PM

Mine mikes at 0.638" or just 13 thou over 5/8", and it's plenty stiff.

toman · #12 05-23-2006, 09:13 PM

Allright, I can't resist it any longer. Just what is it a person does with a double bass that a standard 10mm rod isn't strong enough for, or even the fatty hollow ones? Seriously, it's an instrument, not a pogo-stick...

mje · #13 05-24-2006, 06:38 AM

The standard 10mm rods tend to wobble when extended (I'm 6'2").

COUNT ZACULA · #14 05-24-2006, 06:54 AM

http://www.nortoncustoms.com/mini_pr...ges/endpin.htm

JJBluegrasser · #15 05-24-2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mje

The standard 10mm rods tend to wobble when extended (I'm 6'2").

Yep.

Count,
Those look very similar to what my luthier has in stock. Any idea what the Norton ones cost? The one I'm looking at is $170, made in China.

Jason

Tbeers · #16 05-24-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJBluegrasser

Any idea what the Norton ones cost?

http://www.nortoncustoms.com/bass_ac...n-fiber-endpin

JJBluegrasser · #17 05-24-2006, 08:29 AM

Should have caught that online store thing. Thanks for the link...

Jason

Jim Henderson · #18 05-25-2006, 08:25 PM

Jason,
Just thinking that you may want to check on Camelopard end pins. The pin recommended for pizz is a titanium tube with a crutch tip. I think the carbon fiber pin is recommended for arco if I remember correctly. I changed the crutch tip for a modified screw in tip that works much better on my Cleveland.
For outside or parking lot jams I turned a one inch thick black walnut disk with a five inch diameter. In the center of the disk I sank a two inch wide hole about 5/8 of an inch deep to keep the rubber stoppered pin contained within the disk. On the bottom of the 5/8 inch hole and the entire bottom of the disk I contact cemented pieces of rubber roofing cut to size. Works great, the rubber keeps the bottom of the wooden disk dry as well as keeping the end pin protected from dirt or moisture. Just a note, the Camelopard plug, pin and stopper set ups are expensive as hell, but if you are trying to maximize that ideal tone you keep hearing in your mind, the hollow titanium will make a difference. It did for me but only you can make the determination whether the price is justified buy the improvement to your set up. Good luck in your search partner.

Jim

p.s.
I also turned end pins of hickory, dogwood, lignum vitae, ebony and osage orange with disappointing results on the Cleveland and Juzek. Am going to modify them and check them out on the Kay. The quest continues.

J.

ZombieGhosTrain · #19 05-26-2006, 01:33 AM

I too am pretty tall (6'4") and I have a regular endpin and they do wobble when extended pretty far, I like the wood ideas. Would you just drill a hole down the lenght of the wooden peg and stick it over the existing endpin?

M Ramsey · #20 05-26-2006, 04:56 AM

Morning all,

I've have 2 American Standards and some of the small endpins DO wobble when extended. I'm 6'5" amd had to switch the first endpin I had installed in my older Standard due to this problem.

The endpin I have installed in both my basses comes from International Violin and they currently cost about $50 or so. This is a hollow tubular one which dosen't have the indentations which I detest lining up with the threaded thumbscrew. There are some folks who do not like these type endpins, but I've had no problems.

For a pic of me and my bass, go here:

http://www.americanstandardbass.com

Mine is number 731.

That will be me playing it.