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Double Bass Endpin idea: what's that knob called?

josiah goldfish

josiah goldfish

Guest
Jan 10, 2012
1,339
289
E.Sussex UK
#1
Ok, so I'm making an EUB, and I need an endpin. My dad suggested using a steel tube and a collar clamp like on a music stand (the ones with the screw on the neck, you twist it to undo it and adjust the height). However, I don't know what these are called, whether they're strong enough to support my bass, and where I can get one. Any ideas? I was thinking about buying a music stand and making a longer shaft to replace the one on it, but the diameter will be the same as the shaft and I don't know whether a tube this diameter will be strong enough.
Please help!
Thanks in advance
Joe
 
#6
I get it. Like other people have pointed out, you'll need a very sturdy pin. There are many, many ways to affix it to the instrument. it doesn't have to go up inside the body. A block of wood with a hole for the pin and another for a set screw and your good to go. Just mount the block on the back.
 
#8
MostlyBass said:
Why not just buy an endpin? They come with the collar, shaft, and screw... Go to LemurMusic.com
and search 'endpin'
Click to expand...

I can't get the actual pin 28" long. Endpins have a notched shaft, and a tension screw wont work with a plain tube, so it has to work like a clamp. I've decided I'm gonna buy a heavy-duty music lectern and cut the thicker shaft a couple inches long. Then i'll buy a steel rod to fit inside it (replacing the other one) and put a rubber foot on it. The thicker tube will fit inside the body (with the clamp just outside the body) and the tube will slide in and out of it.
 
#10
MostlyBass said:
Have you searched for carbon fiber end pins? They generally use a clamp style and you can get rather lengthy ones. Perhaps check out Upton Bass Shop.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I had a look and they're expensive. My latest strengthening idea is to glue a dowel inside a steel tube the right diameter. Hopefully that might make it stronger :D
 
#15
you could fabricate a wooden end pin using a 3/4" or 1" dowel from the hardware store then attach a rubber cane tip to it. It would be strong and long enough and you can move around the stage as much as you want. Since it is wood you might get an added benefit of a dampening effect - if you read up about various end pin materials many UB players prefer wood. To attach it to you EUB you can take nice plywood and drill the appropriate sized hole through a block then cut this in half leaving you with two blocks of wood with the same radius as your end pin. The end pin will slide between the blocks. Use two t-nuts as adjusters, glue the block with the t-nuts to the back of the bass.
 
#16
powerbass said:
you could fabricate a wooden end pin using a 3/4" or 1" dowel from the hardware store then attach a rubber cane tip to it. It would be strong and long enough and you can move around the stage as much as you want. Since it is wood you might get an added benefit of a dampening effect - if you read up about various end pin materials many UB players prefer wood. To attach it to you EUB you can take nice plywood and drill the appropriate sized hole through a block then cut this in half leaving you with two blocks of wood with the same radius as your end pin. The end pin will slide between the blocks. Use two t-nuts as adjusters, glue the block with the t-nuts to the back of the bass.
Click to expand...

I'd really like the endpin to be in the bass (don't ask me why, because I honestly don't know) and I don't see the difference between a steel endpin with a dowel inside it and a plain wood one. Surely steel would be stronger?
Thanks for the suggestion though :D
 
#17
josiah goldfish said:
I'd really like the endpin to be in the bass (don't ask me why, because I honestly don't know) and I don't see the difference between a steel endpin with a dowel inside it and a plain wood one. Surely steel would be stronger?
Thanks for the suggestion though :D
Click to expand...

Up inside the bass has it's own set of challenges. Mounting it on the exterior of the back is much easier, construction-wise - but both are perfectly viable if you have the shop skills.

Regarding wood vs. metal - as powerbass says, wood has a damping effect - it warms up the tone. A large wooden peg will be as functionally sturdy as a skinny metal one. I think it's a matter of aesthetics more than anything else. A skinny metal pin (while it may be prone to bending) will not be as obvious as a thick wooden dowel.

BTW and FWIW, I can move plenty with my EUB on it's stand. Just because it's on a stand doesn't mean you can't lean it. You just need to position the feet of the stand in a way that allows it to lean in a direction that feels natural to you when you play.

It also eliminates the need for an end pin. Having the instrument sturdily supported able to stand alone really opens up options on stage should you want to be able to move from EUB to BG or any other instrument.

All that said, fabricating an end-pin, collar and screw system is pretty rudimentary stuff. Draw it up and use your imagination. You'll probably come up with a few new options that haven't been mentioned here. Otherwise, there is plenty of precedent for how to install an end-pin out there. Search it up and pick the method that works best for you.
 
#18
tZer said:
Up inside the bass has it's own set of challenges. Mounting it on the exterior of the back is much easier, construction-wise - but both are perfectly viable if you have the shop skills.

Regarding wood vs. metal - as powerbass says, wood has a damping effect - it warms up the tone. A large wooden peg will be as functionally sturdy as a skinny metal one. I think it's a matter of aesthetics more than anything else. A skinny metal pin (while it may be prone to bending) will not be as obvious as a thick wooden dowel.

BTW and FWIW, I can move plenty with my EUB on it's stand. Just because it's on a stand doesn't mean you can't lean it. You just need to position the feet of the stand in a way that allows it to lean in a direction that feels natural to you when you play.

It also eliminates the need for an end pin. Having the instrument sturdily supported able to stand alone really opens up options on stage should you want to be able to move from EUB to BG or any other instrument.

All that said, fabricating an end-pin, collar and screw system is pretty rudimentary stuff. Draw it up and use your imagination. You'll probably come up with a few new options that haven't been mentioned here. Otherwise, there is plenty of precedent for how to install an end-pin out there. Search it up and pick the method that works best for you.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna drill in as far as I can with a drill bit, then rout the rest and fill the gap with a wooden strip (like the skunk stripe on a fender truss rod). Then I'm gonna put a top on the whole thing. This means I can make it hollow an should make wiring the electronics easier. :)
Also, why not do the metal enpin the same diameter as the wooden idea? Then fill it with a slightly thinner dowel? Personally, I quite like the music stand idea. Unless I find unfixable problems with this idea I think I'll go with it. Thanks for your help though :D
Btw, I don't like the stand idea for 2 reasons (actually it's probably more, but I can only think of 2 ATM. I'll probably start doing the whole 'Spanish-inquisition' thing later, but oh well)
1) I don't like the look of stands on DB shaped basses
2) I don't want to have to carry around a separate stand
Thanks though :D
 
#19
josiah goldfish said:
I'm gonna drill in as far as I can with a drill bit, then rout the rest and fill the gap with a wooden strip (like the skunk stripe on a fender truss rod). Then I'm gonna put a top on the whole thing. This means I can make it hollow an should make wiring the electronics easier. :)
Also, why not do the metal enpin the same diameter as the wooden idea? Then fill it with a slightly thinner dowel? Personally, I quite like the music stand idea. Unless I find unfixable problems with this idea I think I'll go with it. Thanks for your help though :D
Btw, I don't like the stand idea for 2 reasons (actually it's probably more, but I can only think of 2 ATM. I'll probably start doing the whole 'Spanish-inquisition' thing later, but oh well)
1) I don't like the look of stands on DB shaped basses
2) I don't want to have to carry around a separate stand
Thanks though :D
Click to expand...

As I said, there are many ways to skin this cat. If you really are opposed to a stand, there is no reason for you to use one.

Could you post your EUB design plans? That would be a big help.

I think your idea for installing the pin is fine - just make sure you don't have any 'thru-body' issues that might conflict with your pin placement. My EUB happens to be a five string and my strings go through the body. An internal end-pin could have to be offset (to dodge my A string). Not horrible - but not ideal.

Regarding carrying extra stuff; I didn't want to transport my instrument without a good case so I built one that not only accommodates my EUB, but all the necessary hardware as well. It's no bigger than a typical full-size electric piano case and I added casters to the long end.

I'd also suggest that you not reinvent the wheel here. If you're needs are common (it sounds like they are) then use the most common solution and don't over think it. You also don't want to talk yourself out of better solutions especially if you are still somewhat unclear about how, what and why you are going to go about this.

Think practically about using and EUB in performance. Will you be laying it down on it's back or side between sets or will you carry an additional, non-affixed stand to prop it up on? Laying the thing on the ground is OK, I suppose - but I would certainly rather it be on a stand. If you are going to carry that extra piece of gear with you, you might as well consider the stand-mounted concept. You don't have to mount it when you play - but again, it sure is nice to have the option to have it stand-mountable for a huge variety of really good, very practical reasons.

Also - if the EUB is not on a stand and you are only using an end-pin, how are you supporting the instrument otherwise? Are you going to install a very sturdy belly-bar? Is the body itself going to be the same general size at the upper bout as a standard UB so you can use your body to steady it as you play? Otherwise your going to have to 'hold it up' while you play which is very hard to do if you also want to be able to stop notes without causing carpel tunnel.

Just food for thought. Good luck!
 
#20
tZer said:
As I said, there are many ways to skin this cat. If you really are opposed to a stand, there is no reason for you to use one.

Could you post your EUB design plans? That would be a big help.

I think your idea for installing the pin is fine - just make sure you don't have any 'thru-body' issues that might conflict with your pin placement. My EUB happens to be a five string and my strings go through the body. An internal end-pin could have to be offset (to dodge my A string). Not horrible - but not ideal.

Regarding carrying extra stuff; I didn't want to transport my instrument without a good case so I built one that not only accommodates my EUB, but all the necessary hardware as well. It's no bigger than a typical full-size electric piano case and I added casters to the long end.

I'd also suggest that you not reinvent the wheel here. If you're needs are common (it sounds like they are) then use the most common solution and don't over think it. You also don't want to talk yourself out of better solutions especially if you are still somewhat unclear about how, what and why you are going to go about this.

Think practically about using and EUB in performance. Will you be laying it down on it's back or side between sets or will you carry an additional, non-affixed stand to prop it up on? Laying the thing on the ground is OK, I suppose - but I would certainly rather it be on a stand. If you are going to carry that extra piece of gear with you, you might as well consider the stand-mounted concept. You don't have to mount it when you play - but again, it sure is nice to have the option to have it stand-mountable for a huge variety of really good, very practical reasons.

Also - if the EUB is not on a stand and you are only using an end-pin, how are you supporting the instrument otherwise? Are you going to install a very sturdy belly-bar? Is the body itself going to be the same general size at the upper bout as a standard UB so you can use your body to steady it as you play? Otherwise your going to have to 'hold it up' while you play which is very hard to do if you also want to be able to stop notes without causing carpel tunnel.

Just food for thought. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I've got plans (not neat plans, just concept sketches) for a belly brace.
I'm still thinking about the endpin, I think I'll have to look at what others have done.
Anyone have any ideas of where I can buy strong steel pipe (in the uk or delivered from somewhere in Europe)?
Cheers
Joe
 

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