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Double Bass Endpin slipping

basss

basss

Supporting Member
Aug 27, 2001
3,543
1,306
NY
#1
I've had my bass for about 15 years and in the last 2 years the endpin has started to slip - the weight of the bass pushes the endpin into the bass while I'm playing. The endpin is a smooth steel shaft. The bolt that tightens into the endpin has a metal plug underneath it which presses into the endpin. I would rather not buy a new endpin if possible. I've tried scoring it with a metal file - this works for a short time and then it begins to slip again. Is there anything I can do to prevent slipage short of buying a new endpin?
 
#2
basss said:
I've had my bass for about 15 years and in the last 2 years the endpin has started to slip - the weight of the bass pushes the endpin into the bass while I'm playing. The endpin is a smooth steel shaft. The bolt that tightens into the endpin has a metal plug underneath it which presses into the endpin. I would rather not buy a new endpin if possible. I've tried scoring it with a metal file - this works for a short time and then it begins to slip again. Is there anything I can do to prevent slipage short of buying a new endpin?
Click to expand...

Sounds like the screw is stripped. It's happened to me before.
 
#3
I can tighten the screw against the endpin and it holds for a bit. The screw turns in the threads fine. I did have to re-tap the screw hole a while back but it seems to be functioning properly.
 
#4
I went to a hardware store and got a hardened set-screw bolt, installed it with a black plastic knob from the same store, and the identical problem was solved-- the original screw had been too soft, and could not hold. Didn't have to go with the plastic knob-- on another one I made a nice curly maple knob to take the bolt. The bolt has a sharp circular ridge on the end of it and digs in pretty well on the softer steel of the end-pin.

Chet Bishop
 
#6
It seems like the metal plug is the problem -- the indentation has to be at least as big as the end of that plug. It would be worth sliding the end pin out altogether and seeing how far that plug can actually be pushed in. If it is what's stuck for some reason, then no indentation will help.

A quick fix, as in "get me through the next gig," might be a small steel hose clamp and some bicycle inner tube rubber.
 

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