/ Register

Bass height

Discussion in 'Setup & Repair [DB]' started by nicechuck, Apr 18, 2012.

  1. Apr 18, 2012 #1
    nicechuck

    nicechuck

    Jul 9, 2007
    I just extened the endpin on my upright, makes it easier to pluck at the end of the fingerboard, and to play in higher positions, but what I noticed is that the bass is louder now. Not sure how much is because the body being 2 inches higher off the floor, but I can't imagine that 2 less inches of the metal endpin being out of the body could make that much difference. Any thoughts?
     
  2. Apr 18, 2012 #2
    DoubleMIDI

    DoubleMIDI

    Feb 28, 2010
    Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen
    Maybe you think the bass is louder because your ear (as a player) is closer to the body?
     
  3. Apr 18, 2012 #3
    nicechuck

    nicechuck

    Jul 9, 2007
    Yea, that's what I'm thinking, tho I've read about the endpin length making a difference too
     
  4. Apr 18, 2012 #4
    1st Bass

    1st Bass

    May 26, 2005
    Forest Grove, OR
    Stand on a two-inch block while you play, and see if the difference is still there. :)
     
  5. Apr 18, 2012 #5
    DoubleMIDI

    DoubleMIDI

    Feb 28, 2010
    Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen
    Good advice!

    Since my bass is so large and I'm rather short I never pull the endpin out. So I cannot tell you anything about different endpins.

    But it seems the length and material makes a difference. At least if you pull it out several inches. I just thought the difference you heard could be more due to the reduced distance of ear to body than the endpin resonance. Get some listener a few meters away from the bass and let him decide (repeat to make sure this is the reason). It could also be that your bowing/plucking position got closer to the bridge and this might be the reason for the sound change.

    OK, in the end, if it sounds better and you still feel comfortable play this way.
     
  6. Apr 18, 2012 #6
    bssist

    bssist

    Jun 23, 2007
    St. Louis, MO USA
    I just read the Traeger book wherein he stated that the endpin MUST be out at least a couple inches in order for everything to vibrate properly. He didn't get much into the specifics on the topic, just that it makes a definite difference.

    I just turned down a hickory drumstick to use as an endpin and I was amazed at the difference it make in both tone and volume.
     
  7. Apr 18, 2012 #7
    JoeyNaeger

    JoeyNaeger Guest Commercial User

    Jun 24, 2005
    Houston, TX
    Bass Specialist, Lisle Violin Shop
    Traeger says a lot of things make a huge difference, I wouldn't worry to much about most of them.
     
  8. Apr 19, 2012 #8
    nicechuck

    nicechuck

    Jul 9, 2007
    Thanks for the replies. This steel endpin has a pin in the inside end and I can't actually remove it, if I could, I'd probably cut some off of it to see what difference that would make, but I've been happy with the sound anyway, so not worried about it, just a bit surprized to notice the difference with just that little change
     
  9. Apr 19, 2012 #9
    DoubleMIDI

    DoubleMIDI

    Feb 28, 2010
    Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen
  10. Apr 20, 2012 #10
    nicechuck

    nicechuck

    Jul 9, 2007
    Thanks for the videos, quite interesting