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Double Bass endpin rubber tips...

groooooove

groooooove

Supporting Member
Dec 17, 2008
9,044
6,888
Long Island, NY
#1
mine are getting hopelessly ripped up and old.

the bass i'm playing on has an endpin that has a rubber tip over a rubber tip, if that makes sense- and under that is a metal cyllendar that's screwed onto the threads of the endpin.

the meyal cyllendar measures 3/4". can i find rubber that will slip over that?

the threads on the end of my endpin measured 9mm across.... i've found 10mm and 8mm online... but no 9mm..

where can i find something to replace this?
 
#4
And have a look at you endpin to see if there is a sharp edge on it. If so rounding it off with a file will help not to blow through the rubber tip so quickly. Even with a metal washer in the cane tip a sharp edge can blow out through the side.
 
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#5
I can relate to this issue! My budget solution is to take a wine cork and stick the spike through that. You may have cut it a bit but it really works wonders and takes forever to wear down before you need a new one. Synthetic cork tends to last a bit longer but really both last a while. If you look at my pic I have on on my bass in it, I wrapped it in tape to mask it. It is a cheaper solution and you get to drink wine! It worked for me.
 
#6
Here's a little gizmo I fabricated - it is installed on the endpin to make maximum contact with the floor as the bass leans back ( I always stand). The contacting surface is spherical, covered with 2 layers of 1/8" rubber.
Most crutch-tips are configured to make full contact perpendicular (90 degrees) to the floor, and make only partial contact when the endpin is "tilted", as the bass leans back toward the player.
photo(27).JPG
 
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#7
Don Kasper said:
Here's a little gizmo I fabricated - it is installed on the endpin to make maximum contact with the floor as the bass leans back ( I always stand). The contacting surface is spherical, covered with 2 layers of 1/8" rubber.
Most crutch-tips are configured to make full contact perpendicular (90 degrees) to the floor, and make only partial contact when the endpin is "tilted", as the bass leans back toward the player.
View attachment 554781
Click to expand...
Looks like you've made a crude version of the New Harmony Endpin Ball! :cool: I love the little guys. They make the bass more stable no matter the angle you're playing at.

Available from: Invalid Link Removed
 
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#8
csrund said:
Search 'crutch tip,' or 'cane tip' on Amazon. You'll get a plethora of results.
Click to expand...

i have a crutch tip on my other bass and really hate it. it doesn't grip the floor, and doesn't quite fit the bass that well.

i was able to glue the ripped side of mine back together.. for now its fine... but there is still a hole on the bottom. may use the cork idea... or maybe find some rubber to add to the bottom for grip.

i can't believe they aren't readily available!

i'll have to have a second look at the crutch tip solution..

thanks guys
 
#9
Crutch tips grab the floor as well as anything else, other than a sharp metal endpin which also damages the floor. I use a wooden pin which is fitted with a 3/4" cane tip on one of my basses. Something that really helps it grip the floor is to round the end of the pin so the cane tip pivots a bit with the help of the metal washer which is integral to all the tips I've used. This system keeps the rubber tip well connected to the floor even when sitting. I have the Met Music #6425 (?) unit in my Kay and am using the stock 5/8" aluminum tube. It's fitted with a strange point and stick on rubber tip. I Super Glued a 1/2" cane tip onto the smaller rubber tip and it's working great. Yea, I know Chuck Traeger recommends a drumstick in that unit and I tried it but liked the metal tube better.
I set up basses for a living and am not a fan of the steel units on most basses. Finding the right notch and keeping the tips from unscrewing and rattling can be a hassle. They are what people want so that's what we use. Gimme a simple unit with a rubber tip any day.
 
#11
Jake deVilliers said:
Looks like you've made a crude version of the New Harmony Endpin Ball! :cool: I love the little guys. They make the bass more stable no matter the angle you're playing at.
Click to expand...

Using the Wolf ball I can't see ever going back to a cane tip. The one weak point is if you sit and hold the bass at a more relaxed angle it'll slip a little more easily. A cup or anchor strap solves this but it's one more thing to remember to carry. I'd sacrifice wear for performance if I could solve this with a grippier rubber compound. Is the Harmony any softer than the Wolf?
 
#12
Mr Ralph said:
Mc Master Carr catalog item # 2517T36 There are a number of different sizes and colors. You can get a lifetime supply for $10
Click to expand...

they had exactly the size i wanted- something like $11 for 25 reinforced tips. they don't take the only credit card i have, so i went on to amazon.

ended up ordering this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KH4E2A8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

looks almost exactly like the one that i was using.. so i guess it'll be alright.. and 6 of 'em for $11 shipped isint horrible- assuming they fit/work alright, that could last nearly a lifetime...

thanks guys.. will report back if i feel like i've got anything to add.
 
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#13
Jeff Bonny said:
Using the Wolf ball I can't see ever going back to a cane tip. The one weak point is if you sit and hold the bass at a more relaxed angle it'll slip a little more easily. A cup or anchor strap solves this but it's one more thing to remember to carry. I'd sacrifice wear for performance if I could solve this with a grippier rubber compound. Is the Harmony any softer than the Wolf?
Click to expand...
Hmm - I've never compared the two for that quality. I'll have to get them side by side and uh, fondle them!! :D
 
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#14
Jake deVilliers said:
Hmm - I've never compared the two for that quality. I'll have to get them side by side and uh, fondle them!! :D
Click to expand...


I agree with Jeff.
Playing around with the three screws is some what of a bother, but I just check them from time to time to keep them snug. The only thing I had to do that required some effort was that I had to alter my bass stand. The aluminum cup was too small for the Wolf ball. I simply removed it and replaced it with a larger copper pipe end cap that I dug out of my plumbing parts box in my barn. The ball now fits fine.
I've never had trouble with the Wolf ball on any surface. But. . . I never play sitting.
 
#20
Jay Corwin said:
I had the same problem on my Shen. Tried some hardware store fixes, and had poor results. Then I bought one of these and never looked back. Problem solved. You'll probably never need another.

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superendpin-rod.jpg
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This is what I have. It's been on for 5+ years. Works great on all kinds of floors. It does come loose every couple of years, and I have to scramble to find where it fell off, so, now that I say it, it'd be smart to buy two.
 

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