Double Bass Loose Endpin Screw

[Reyalpabut]

The thumbscrew that holds in the endpin on my Engelhardt keeps coming loose. It's not coming out so far that the endpin slips, but I don't like the "clunk" sound I get when I move the bass.

Does anyone have any tips for keeping the screw snug? I've searched the forums and the only thing I found was someone who used a plastic bolt instead of the metal thumbscrew.

 

[toman]

I don't think there's much you can do, since the root of the problem is just a cheaply made unit. I suppose you could drill it out, re-thread and find a new scew to get a better fit, but for all that work, just get a new, better end pin. Lame end pins are about the most annoying thing ever.

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Go to your local hardware store, one large enough where they have an aisle with all those little boxes of nuts, bolts, and odd parts.

In with the odd parts you should find plastic knobs with bolts sticking out (at least my local Ace and TrueValue does). Grab one with the 1/4x20 bolt, usually around $3.

Use that instead of the stock thumbscrew. Assuming that the steel receiver's threads are not crossed, you'll have better torque so you can tighten the pin better. I did that about 30 years ago, still have the same knob.