Who made this endpin, and how to stop slipping?

[LyleRyan]

Can anyone tell me the maker of this endpin?

And beyond that, does anyone know how to stop the friction fit from slipping?

I've heard that slipping is a classic problem with this endpin, and in order to change to a new style the hole would have to be plugged and redrilled. I also heard a hardwood shaft will stop the slipping.

Thanks in advance for any advice....Lyle

[Bob Branstetter]

Looks like an old Herco endpin. And yes, they are famous for slipping and locking up tight. If you don't care about adjustability, just drill a hole through the shaft and superglue in part of a carpenters nail for a stop. Herco endpins were terrible when they were made back in the 1960's (or there abouts) and they don't improve with age. Do yourself a favor and have your luthier plug the old hole and fit a new endpin.

[uptonbass]

Originally Posted by Bob Branstetter

Looks like an old Herco endpin. And yes, they are famous for slipping and locking up tight. If you don't care about adjustability, just drill a hole through the shaft and superglue in part of a carpenters nail for a stop. Herco endpins were terrible when they were made back in the 1960's (or there abouts) and they don't improve with age. Do yourself a favor and have your luthier plug the old hole and fit a new endpin.

Yup and agreed with Bob, this design(not it's performance) was my comparison when Norton stated his pin was "new" and patent-able in the marketplace.

EDIT:clarification

[COUNT ZACULA]

My Norton endpin has been great Gary. It hasn't slipped at all, and it's made from carbon fiber. So i imagine it's quite a bit different than the Herco.

[Jake deVilliers]

"My Norton endpin has been great Gary."

+2 on that.

I have installed two of Brent's endpins (and have only one left) and they both function flawlessly. The collet idea may not be new, but Norton makes it work.

[uptonbass]

In NO way was I indicating the function of Brent's pin left anything to be desired. I see how it may have read that way..... My point being the "patent-ability" or novelty of the design.

[robgrow]

FWIW I have a bass that originally came with a CF endpin with a twisting collar. That thing was a total piece of junk and everything was wrong with it, especially the way it constantly slipped. I replaced it with a conventional endpin and haven't had any problems since.