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Double Bass Norton Custom's Endpin

#21
Alexi David said:
So, has anyone installed one of these endpin? I'm interested in getting one
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I installed one of Brent's carbon fibre endpins in one of my basses several months ago. I had an initial concern about the thickness of the socket wall where the tailpiece wire attaches, but so far there have been zero problems with either the carbon fibre rod or the precision machined aluminum socket. However, I would still suggest that Brent make the next batch with a little thicker wall just to keep worry warts like me happy. I would imagine that this will happen when he goes to bigger stock for the next batch. Brent included the bushing discussed earlier with this endpin and it replaced an old Gotz endpin with no problems.

One other thing that might influence some buyers is that the rod lacks screw threads on the tip which eliminates the use of the screw-on rubber tips that have become standard on most higher end endpins. This aside, the workmanship of the unit is excellent.

IMO, you would have to spend twice as much to get a carbon fibre endpin that is substantially better than the one Brent Norton is making.
 
#23
So I bought one of Brent's endpins about a month ago and got it installed this morning. It was quick and easy for my luth to do. Subjectively, I think the results are similar to wha BLACKFLAT was experiencing - more volume/openess. The thing I'm unsure about is that the power on my E my have lessened, or maybe it's just the other 3 strings are louder now. Overall the bass seems to resonate alot more - I can feel it vibrate on every note unlike before. Perhaps the old endpin muffled the bass a bit and made the sound more even across the strings. It definitely feels less muffled now. It also sounds a tad brighter but that could be due to the strings being fairly new (like 3 week old Doms) and needing to settle down again.

I definitely like the locking collar. The screw seemed really cheesy. This seems more secure. I'm gonna experiment with replacing the carbon fiber rod with a 1/2" drumstick just for kicks at some point. More later.
 
#27
Alexi David said:
OK, it's installed. I found that it takes a strong hand to tighten...but I have a problem. The Gaines wheel slides around. And I've tightened it as far as I can with my hands.
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Ya, I noticed the tightening problem with the collar. Just bring a wrench with you. ;) I use an onyx wheel and had the fortune of another TBer who sold me a shank that fits it just right. Maybe you don't have the exact shank size?

Come to think of it, I know the shank fits, but I haven't tried actually putting the wheel on. Hopefully it won't be too hard to tension the collar. Otherwise I like it so far.

BTW: I'm gonna try the drumstick replacement for the endpin rod sometime soon. Hopefully the wood will make it easier to tension since it's not so smooth. I'll let you know if anything comes from it. Maybe the carbon fiber rod just needs some light sanding?
 
#29
Hey Alexi -

Got your email - sorry to hear the endpin is giving you trouble. The thing that I immediately suspect is that the collet (the internal slotted steel component that "hugs" the carbon fiber rod) is seated incorrectly:

If you take the black hex nut off, the collet must be seated into the NUT first, NOT into the aluminum endpin plug, when reassembling. If it is inserted into the plug first, you will not get proper gripping force and you run the risk of damaging the collet.

Perhaps your luthier took it apart to have a look, then installed the collet improperly. Start there and see what happens... When the collet is seated properly, a firm hand-tightening is all that's required to secure the rod. Let me know, and check your email as well.
 
#30
For what it is worth, I have not had any problem what so ever with slipping or trouble tightening the Norton CF endpin by hand. IMO if you have to use a wrench to tighten it, something is wrong. It would probably be a good idea to double check the collet seating when ever you remove the carbon fibre rod to insert the bass wheel and visa versa.
 
#32
Email exchange between us...

Brent Norton <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Alexi -

I designed the endpin as a stand-alone unit; that is, I never considered its use with a wheel. The fact that you can twist the carbon fiber rod in the socket is unusual and shouldn't be so. I honestly don't know if it would correct the issue with the Gaines, but I could send you a new collet and nut to try. Otherwise, yes, you are welcome to return the endpin so long as it is like-new condition. I'll refund the purchase price less shipping.

Let me know what you'd like to do.

Thanks -

Brent Norton
Norton Customs
Quality Custom & Stock Double Basses

Hi - thanks for the prompt reply. The endpin can twist when I use a lot of strength, which should be logical being that the rod and collet have shiny slick surfaces. When you put in the Gaines shaft though, the large size of the wheel makes it twist easily because the pivot point is farther away. Thanks for the offer of a refund, but I have almost no money right now - which means I have no money to get a new endpin, pay the luthier to install it, and possibly buy a different size Gaines shaft. By the time I can do this, your endpin will probably not be in newish condition anymore. I'll just cut my losses, and wait till I can do the above. Thanks for your help though.

Alexi

---------------------------
So I at least, would not recommend this endpin with a Gaines wheel with a 1/2" shaft.
I'd like to add that Brent's customer service is tops in my book. Too bad he's closing down shop...
 
#33
Alexi David said:
. The endpin can twist when I use a lot of strength, which should be logical being that the rod and collet have shiny slick surfaces. When you put in the Gaines shaft though, the large size of the wheel makes it twist easily because the pivot point is farther away....
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Alexi,
I just tried twisting my carbon fibre endpin. My Carbon fibre endpin is also shiny and slick, but I couldn't get it to move even when using all of my strength. May I suggest that you take up Brent's offer for a new collet and nut and use the original set with your wheel and the new ones for the Carbon Fibre endpin.
 
#34
Bob Branstetter said:
Alexi,
I just tried twisting my carbon fibre endpin. My Carbon fibre endpin is also shiny and slick, but I couldn't get it to move even when using all of my strength. May I suggest that you take up Brent's offer for a new collet and nut and use the original set with your wheel and the new ones for the Carbon Fibre endpin.
Click to expand...

Thank You Bob - maybe I should - so yours doesn't twist..........fine, I'll ask for the collet/nut.....
 
#35
Mine doesn't twist either unless I didn't put enough hand torque on the collar. Heck, I've tried forcing the rod into the body by pushing down on the bass when I'm holding it up. The only way I can get it to go down is if I put most of my body weight on it. It should hold pretty good.

Oh yeah, I finally used it with my Onyx wheel tonight, and didn't have any problems. Yes it will be easier to twist the wheel because you get more leverage, but if you torque the collar enough, it's not going to be that easy to twist it.

I dig the end pin. Made my bass sound like 35% better and more open. I finally had someone else play my bass and I was very happy with how it's sounding now. :hyper:
 
#37
Alexi David said:
Thanks. I'll try replacing the collet/nut and see if it helps with the wheel. Glad to hear it works on your Onyx. Yes it doesn't twist easily, but it has happened in the street, and I could hurt someone, myself, or the bass - this is NYC!
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I thought your complaint was about the carbon fibre rod slipping/twisting. It seems to me that if you use the new collet and nut with the wheel, you are likely to end up with 2 collets and nuts that won't work properly with the rod.
 
#38
Bob Branstetter said:
I thought your complaint was about the carbon fibre rod slipping/twisting. It seems to me that if you use the new collet and nut with the wheel, you are likely to end up with 2 collets and nuts that won't work properly with the rod.
Click to expand...

The twist is not a problem when using the endpin. Only when using the gaines. Brent is shipping me the new parts because he'd like to see if they'll work with the wheel.
 

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