Double Bass End pin rubber cap

[Slaphound]

The rubber cap on my end pin keeps loosening. I was going to put some Teflon tape over the threads to keep it tight but I wanted to see what others thought. The end pin looks fine but the bottom of the rubber is chipped away a bit and I guess it’s worn some over the last 7 years.

 

[Don Hergert]

Is this the screw-on rubber cap over a sharp endpin type of assembly?

If so, the rubber tip will probably wear and break away eventually, leaving the sharp endpin end exposed. There are a number of heavier-duty covers that a person can install over this endpin assembly. The most available and probably the easiest is a crutch or cane tip, available in a variety of inside diameter sizes from most corner pharmacies.

Other alternatives are a number of very nice dedicated endpin accessories available from DB suppliers, for example, with Gollihur Music's enpin accessory page (NFI).

 

[vanderbrook]

If the problem is that it's unscrewing -- as mine was -- my solution was some blue Loctite threadlocker. Available at your nearest hardware or auto parts store. (Don't use the red stuff!)

 

[Slaphound]

Ill consider the lock-tite Blue. No red. Thx. It is the kind that is a sharp end pin. There is the thread, a threaded collar and the rubber screw on end cap. Like a crutch end. Thanks for the information. I thought about getting another end pin cap found on Gollihur. Even the ball end looks cool but I'll try the lock-tite first. I tried the teflon tape but It requires a lot of tape and I didn't put enough. I did put on nearly enough and it was snug but it has since loosened again. Again. Thanks.

 

[robobass]

Is the threaded sleeve inside the rubber metal or plastic? The metal ones tend to not hold. The plastic ones do better since the plastic threads compress slightly when tightened. A good source can be found here:
https://saddleridermusic.com/shop/
Blue Loctite should be fine though.

 

[gerry grable]

Ill consider the lock-tite Blue. No red. Thx. It is the kind that is a sharp end pin. There is the thread, a threaded collar and the rubber screw on end cap. Like a crutch end. Thanks for the information. I thought about getting another end pin cap found on Gollihur. Even the ball end looks cool but I'll try the lock-tite first. I tried the teflon tape but It requires a lot of tape and I didn't put enough. I did put on nearly enough and it was snug but it has since loosened again. Again. Thanks.

I've played a long time and I've used all the old crutch tips, but once I tried the rubber screw on ball, I never went back. The ones I bought cost only $11. It seems counter intuitive, but the ball has never slippped for me on any surface. The only caveats that I can think of is that it adds length to the end pin. It just doesn't slip on like a crutch tip. And it probably won't work on the old dowel like wooden pins which I always called pegs.

 

[Ben Esparza]

I used a lock washer and flat washer (M10). I figured if that configuration holds my Chevy small block exhaust manifold in place, it should do the trick for a screw-on, rubber endpin crutch tip.

 

[g-dude]

I've played a long time and I've used all the old crutch tips, but once I tried the rubber screw on ball, I never went back. The ones I bought cost only $11. It seems counter intuitive, but the ball has never slippped for me on any surface. The only caveats that I can think of is that it adds length to the end pin. It just doesn't slip on like a crutch tip. And it probably won't work on the old dowel like wooden pins which I always called pegs.

My bass has the ball on the end. Seems to be a better design at the end of the day because you have infinite angles to choose from.

 

[Inky13]

I was having similar issues. My local luthier put a wood end on with a crutch tip. Still not super great as it was sliding around on a wood floor the other night but cheaper than a new endpin.
I’m going to look for a softer tip.

 

[gerry grable]

I used a lock washer and flat washer (M10). I figured if that configuration holds my Chevy small block exhaust manifold in place, it should do the trick for a screw-on, rubber endpin crutch tip.

I just give the tip a turn if it needs it every time I pull out the end pin. I've never had a problem while playing.

 

[gerry grable]

View attachment 4458654 I was having similar issues. My local luthier put a wood end on with a crutch tip. Still not super great as it was sliding around on a wood floor the other night but cheaper than a new endpin.
I’m going to look for a softer tip.

For some physical reason the ridge around the crutch tip is more prone to slippage than the curved surface of a rubber ball. Weren't they once called Wolf tips? I don't remember.

 

[Ed S]

There are different types of crutch tips. The lighter color ones seem to be less flexible and more prone to slippage. I've been using black rubber ones with no difficulty.

My biggest problem was wearing through the tips, as I often play outside on pavement. And the pointed tip would wear through from the inside. I slip a combination of washers/nuts inside the rubber tip to prevent the tip from poking through, and I just slip the tip off and use the pointed tip on concrete.

I've got a ball on my new, nicer bass. Seems to work fine, but I've been more circumspect in where I've brought that bass.

 

[Luigir]

I'm using a simple rubber cap for chairs and it works pretty well.

12PCS Table Chair Rubber Leg Tips Caps Floor Protectors for Furniture Legs | Wish

 

[gerry grable]

I'm using a simple rubber cap for chairs and it works pretty well.

12PCS Table Chair Rubber Leg Tips Caps Floor Protectors for Furniture Legs | Wish

You have an end pin on that Fender?

 

[Michael Eisenman]

For some physical reason the ridge around the crutch tip is more prone to slippage than the curved surface of a rubber ball. Weren't they once called Wolf tips? I don't remember.

Yep, Wolf:
Super Endpin ball attachment for Upright Bass (tip, cover)

 

[Ed S]

Curiously, at last Sat's jam, I was sitting down w/ my bass w/ the ball tip, and noticed it was slipping on the tile floor. Seemed mostly when I was holding it at a shallow angle rather than more upright.

Oh well - I'll usually bring the other bass w/ the crutch/cane/walker tip to those jams, and will stand mostly. Don't want my nice bass to get banged up.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

When I was sitting in orchestra, I used a Xeros Endpin Anchor:
Xeros 1007XB Double Bass Endpin Anchor

Note that the images for cello and bass are reversed on the Sweetwater page. The bass model is the one with the V-shaped stop block.

 

[Inky13]

For some physical reason the ridge around the crutch tip is more prone to slippage than the curved surface of a rubber ball. Weren't they once called Wolf tips? I don't remember.

Agreed. I’m thinking that as the bass is tilted, only some of the tip will touch the floor. A ball will always have the same surface area on the floor. A large crutch tip will only have so much impacting the ground vs. a smaller, rounder tip.
I wonder if those pivoting cane ends would work on DB.

 

[LouisF]

I tried one of the pivoting cane tips once - the answer is no, they don't work.

 

[Slaphound]

So. Is it necessary to change the end pin when the rubber tip is changed. I’m looking at the ball type and I don’t know if that is all I need to get. The Rubber tip is also deteriorating on my end pin.