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Double Bass Endpin slipping

Michael Glynn

Michael Glynn

Feb 25, 2004
749
475
49
Seattle
#1
I have one of those endpins that has the hollow metal tube with no grooves. The shaft is held in place by friction somehow. There is a screw that presses against some kind of pad inside the collar. Recently it has started slipping. I have checked the screw and it doesn't seem to be damaged or stripped. Unfortunately, the shaft also has a pin through the end inside the bass that prevents me from removing it entirely, so I can't inspect the pad that directly contacts the shaft.

Anyway, I have some chopsticks cut to the right size that I wedge next to the shaft for now, but I was wondering if there is any quick and easy fix for this problem. Barring that, what endpins are people using these days?
 

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#4
Thanks for the replies folks. I already tried filing the tip of the screw a little, in case that was the problem, but it had no effect. I'll be interested to see Ed's fix. On the other hand, part of me is thinking that maybe it's just time for a new endpin. In the meantime, my chopsticks will provide yet another reason for my fellow bassists to mock my instrument, along with the misaligned neck, wafer-thin fingerboard, etc... it sure sounds great, though!
 
#5
Michael Glynn said:
There is a screw that presses against some kind of pad inside the collar.
Click to expand...
Yes, and sharpening the end of the screw obviously will have no effect. You need to pull the socket, remove the rod, and rough up the part of the pad that contacts the rod (and maybe the rod itself) with medium grade sandpaper. A more permanent solution would be to replace the entire assembly, but sanding the pad should work well enough.
 
#9
Greg Clinkingbeard said:
This unit has a small piece of brass between the thumbscrew and tube which applies pressure and protects the tube from damage. The one I have grips very well and I can't imagine it slipping. No idea why you are having problems.
Click to expand...
I had the same reaction.

Maybe there's too much friction in the mechanism and it feels stiff to your fingers before its actually tight. Take out the thumbscrew and put a tiny drop of oil on the end of the threads. Please report back! :thumbsup:
 
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#12
The filing down of the end I did was because the tip was a little smushed and widened and I thought that perhaps it was catching somewhere before making good contact with the plate. I filed a bit off of the sides where it widened out, but didn't sharpen the tip, as that shouldn't be necessary for this kind of pin. Didn't seem to have any effect in any case. I already tried roughening the rod with sandpaper, but that didn't seem to help. I can't figure out how to get the rod out without taking the whole endpin assembly out.

Just took Jake's suggestion and put a bit of oil on the screw. It seem to be working! It still feels a little off, but it seems to stay up on its own now. Thanks!
 
#13
if you want to remove that pin - unless you use the endpin all the way out - pull it out all the way till it stops, hacksaw off flush with the ebony/brass, file the end smooth then poke the endpin back inside.

you will have to retrieve the last 3" of Endpin through the Ff holes, but that isn't rocket surgery.
 
#14
Matthew Tucker said:
if you want to remove that pin - unless you use the endpin all the way out - pull it out all the way till it stops, hacksaw off flush with the ebony/brass, file the end smooth then poke the endpin back inside.

you will have to retrieve the last 3" of Endpin through the Ff holes, but that isn't rocket surgery.
Click to expand...
Why wouldn't you just remove the endpin assembly and take the rivet out of the pin?
 
#16
Well, after a brief reprieve where it worked great, the endpin is up to its old tricks again. I was able to remove the shaft and I put a hose clamp with a thick rubber washer on it to hold the pin at the correct height.

Just for kicks I also got a big drumstick, cut it to the right size and filed it down to fit snugly. I have to say that I am now a convert to the idea that different endpins can have a huge impact on sound. The drumstick seemed to muffle the attack and make the overall sound more diffuse, not to mention a little quieter overall. I played a couple of trio shows this weekend without an amp, and I was using the drumstick for our rehearsal. The drummer, who for space and setup reasons had to be across the piano from me, was having a little trouble hearing in louder sections. When I switched to the other endpin, he started looking over to see if I was using an amp. He said that the difference was night and day.
 
#17
If you have a bastard file at home, you could just rough it up that way. File some notches into the pin.

Another option is that if you know someone with a drill press, you could drill some dimples into the rod at the height you want it.

A new endpin w/ detents is probably going to be the easiest and surefire solution. Might give you an excuse also to get one of those fancy wooden pins with the CF dowel in the middle.

I would judge too much with a drumstick on your bass whether it's good or bad. It too would require that it be on the bass for months to settle in.
 
#18
Huy Nguyen said:
If you have a bastard file at home, you could just rough it up that way. File some notches into the pin.

Another option is that if you know someone with a drill press, you could drill some dimples into the rod at the height you want it.

A new endpin w/ detents is probably going to be the easiest and surefire solution. Might give you an excuse also to get one of those fancy wooden pins with the CF dowel in the middle.

I would judge too much with a drumstick on your bass whether it's good or bad. It too would require that it be on the bass for months to settle in.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I tried roughing it up already and that didn't seem to make a difference. Then after trying various other solutions I succeeded in A) stripping the screw, and B) losing the little brass pressure plate inside. So I think I'm at the point where I just need a new endpin!

You could be right about the drumstick. On the other hand, I can't really afford to wait that long with bad sound in the hope that it settles. Or perhaps I should try a Regal Tip instead of Vic Firth...
 
#19
If that's the case then another option you may want to try is that the screw itself may not be getting enough tension on the pin itself. Possibly that it's loosening while you play? I would consider running over toe Loew's or somewhere that has a good selection of hardware and find a screw that has a handle that fits the same threads. It could be a really cheap fix if you can find it the right screw.

My local Loews has far more screws and things of that nature than Home Despot does.
 

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