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Double Bass Need New Endpin Rod

Ike Harris

Ike Harris

May 16, 2001
857
13
75
Nashville TN
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#1
Well, I lost my original rod to my Kolstein endpin assembly the other night, so I'm using this opportunity to explore some of the newer options out there now to improve the sound of my bass and maybe add a new look to set it apart, possibly with a Pecanic tailpiece thrown in to the mix, replacing the heavy ebony compensator. So far, I'm leaning toward KC's wooden number with the carbon fiber insert and steel point. Has anyone gotten this? I'm curious if it's improved your sound to much of a degree. I've checked out TB's Johnny Atomic's unusual and attractive wooden endpins with the nice grains and such, so we're in touch about these. Over at Contrabass in the UK, they have a good looking carbon replacement rod there that would fit my bass perfectly. A little pricey at 60 British pounds w/8 lbs shipping but might be worth it. I don't think the titanium is the way to go for me, it's supposed to brighten/focus the sound and is very expensive. I just want to get more of what the bass already sounds like and like the idea of being able to use a sharp point with a really good screw-on tip. Any comments will be helpful.

thanks,

Ike
 
#2
I have installed Brent Norton's Carbon Fibre and aluminium endpins into two basses and they both showed improved tone - more width and depth, more openness.

There's a guy in Alberta making interesting endpins with Carbon fibre rods: one of these days I'll order one and test it out. It uses a bicycle skewer to tighten the pin, leaving you free to choose any length, similar to the Norton.

Link Removed
 
#4
He did. I bought the last ones he had and begged him to make more. They are strong, light, resonant, rattle-free and easy to adjust; in short, the perfect end pin.

The magnet looks to be in the end pin cover. You could always discard that part and fit a regular rubber tip. Just thinking.....

I've been intrigued by the KC Strings pin, too. Maybe if I wrote them on Long & McQuade letterhead they'd send me a sample. :)
 
#9
I make no claims about tonal changes of my endpins. I make them for two reasons

1) if your set screw comes loose onstage, it won't colapse up into the bass.

2) they look pretty :smug:

I've recently changed from polished stainless steel insert to polished aluminum. The set screw bites much better into the aluminum.

Here's a youtube video of a recent one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpU5Z80PsRY




Thanks
Johnny
 
#10
Ike Harris said:
...So far, I'm leaning toward KC's wooden number with the carbon fiber insert and steel point. Has anyone gotten this? I'm curious if it's improved your sound to much of a degree. Any comments will be helpful. thanks, Ike
Click to expand...

Ike,

I've had a carbon fiber bass end pin for over a year. It may add some volume, you'll have to try. I got mine from Invalid Link Removed and I've had no problems with it at all. I even installed the plug myself, carefully filing it down to fit the size of the old wooden plug. I also got a Pecanic tailpiece and use a synthetic tailpiece string. The one thing I would say for sure is my bass is a bit lighter to carry than with my old setup with steel endpin, steel tailpiece wire, ebony tailpiece, etc.

Bill
 
#11
Jake deVilliers said:
I've been intrigued by the KC Strings pin, too. Maybe if I wrote them on Long & McQuade letterhead they'd send me a sample. :)
Click to expand...

I must be asleep at the switch, I missed this one... perhaps you should... we've started putting ground on our pins as we noticed a differrence in the sound on some expiromental cello peg legs I've been working with.

The stranges things can make a difference.
 

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