Double Bass Endpin advice when not playing

[Abrahampost]

Searches have yet to give me an answer for this question. Is it bad in any way to leave the endpin of the bass set at my desired playing level when not playing? My bass lives in the corner of my living room in its soft case when I am not playing and up until now I have been putting the endpin all the way in while being stored, but recently I have wondered if there is any need to?

Do I risk a failure in the endpin in anyway that would cause damage to the bass?

Thanks!

 

[james condino]

If you keep it out of the case with the endpin out, you'll play the bass a lot more.

Condino.com
Kaybassrepair.com

 

[robobass]

If you keep it out of the case with the endpin out, you'll play the bass a lot more.

Condino.com
Kaybassrepair.com

I never bagged my basses when keeping them standing in corners, but now I've got small children...

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

^^^^

 

[james condino]

i have small children too; the last thing I want to teach them is to keep your bass locked up in a case....

 

[Matthijs]

That's what insurance is for. (and I think it is the only thing my instrument insurance actually does pay for, all the risks associated with actually playing outside of my home are excluded)

I'm sure it's a steady source of income for you luthier types, it is for mine. Things also do not change when kids grow, their potential for destruction grows with them.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Nomnomnom...

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Keeping the bass out of the cover can definitely increase your playing/practice. My cat learned me that by scratching the cover. Luckily she does not scratch the bass...

 

[bejoyous]

Keeping the endpin out all the time will actually do less wear on the housing and screw.

I agree with James about keeping it out of the case, too. If you see it there, all ready to play, you will be more likely to start playing a few notes and it might turn into more. (Hmm, I should follow my own advice.)

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I keep my pin all the way in except during arco practice.

Leaving the pin out may cause less wear and tear to the collar, but it definitely raises the bass' center of gravity and makes it less stable if you store it leaned into a corner like I do.

Leaving the pin out 24/7 also runs the risk of the set screw failing, as happened to me once, and the force of 20 pounds of bass dropping six inches or more and causing damage to the ribs and/or bottom block.

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

An uncovered bass on a stand, in the presence of a toddler, can easily fall over and hurt both the bass and the toddler. Trust me, I know. :-(

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Man, that sucks. Sorry to hear that. To be clear, the basses are kept in the back room of my house, which is blocked by a baby gate.

 

[radioface]

I keep the end pin out and don't give it a second thought. On my EUB, I leave the end pin in so that the bass can fit in it's case.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

If you have grooves in the endpin and you take a lot of care the the screw is always fastened in the groove, you can leave the endpin out.
Without grooves I probably won't do that, but that depends a bit on construction of the endpin assembly.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

The endpin I had that failed was the stock item on a Strunal. It was grooved.

 

[SVT4001]

It was groovy.

I fixed it for you!

BTW: I mean to say that the endpin itself was groovy, not the fact that if failed.

 

[james condino]

There are plenty of ways to keep your bass out of the case and still be secure and pose no risk to family or pets. The main idea that I was trying to get across is that a bass in the corner inside the case is nailing the coffin shut in terms of playing it and one that is out and accessable is sexy and enticing and every time I walk by I play it!

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Keeping the endpin out (ie, the bass in correct playing height), can also aid in getting more playing done. Besides, it certainly must be a poor construction if it cannot withstand standing untouched at playing level...

 

[awp]

I'd love to keep the end pin out but I share my bass with my twelve year old son who is about 7" shorter than me. I play much more often than him but I'd rather the inconvenience for me rather than discourage him from playing it.

Cheers
Warren