I recently converted to the NS endpin from the tripod stand. There are pros and cons to the switch and I'd like to offer my personal experience for your consideration, as well as some musings on strings and setup, and the desire for a neck heel on the NS.
First, I must confess that I have used quite a few EUBs in the past - Yamaha Silent Basses, BSX Allegros and an Eminence RN4. The NS was my third or fourth EUB and I played the same bass semi-professionally for ~three years - at least two-three gigs each week for ~three years. I even sold my NS, then bought it back (thank's Larry for taking care of her during my insanity phase...) and am playing it now (again). When I was playing my NS regularly, I was not doubling much, so the convience of the stand was someswhat lost, though appreciated.
Long rant short - the tripod was convenient, worked well, coupled with the stage well, was easy to adjust my monitor mix, etc. - but I missed being able to feel the vibrations in my hips/chest as I played my acoustic. Many will just say, "play your acoustic and sell the EUB", but Colorado winters just aren't made for transporting basses. Besides, I've played this NS in Japan, Hawaii and Germany and after 9.11, transporting an acoustic just ain't fun.
So... a few months ago, I ordered the endpin and attachment kit from Bob ((gollihurmusic.com) - thanks Bob and Mark!). The kit arrived and in a few moments, I had what I had sought from all of my EUBs - movement, freedom and outstanding sound in a relatively durable package that would withstand the Colorado winters.
The endpin plastic piece could use some re-engineering, as could the endpin rubber piece - the rubber piece leaves residue on carpet after it is worn a bit. Replaced the rubber foot with a higher quality one from Thomas Fetterman - Tornado, I believe. Now that one give too much grip on carpet, but I digress.
The stomach rest works "okay", but if you are a little robust in the middle, you may have some concerns - I'm a 40" waist and it fits great. Larger may have concerns if you know what I mean, though smaller waists should be fine.
So, now I have a bass that "moves" with me and stays with me as much as my acoustic upright bass does, but withstands the harsh Colorado winter far better than my acoustic does.
The fit and finish of the NS stand is top notch, but again the endpin rest (rubber foot rest) is kind of dorky if you are move the stand much - think about a redesign/zipties, hot glue, rubber bands or another system to keep from losing it or leaving it behind after a gig. Also with the new Tornado crutch tip, the foot rest is a little small. I've yet to design a better solution, but will let you know when I have one.
Personally, I use a white paint pen to mark where I extend the stand to - just to make setup faster and consistent. I also tried to reorient the stand so the endpin foot rests on the rear of the tripod leg. It works and I will probably design some system that uses that setup if I am unable to create a better solution for the foot thingie.
Next on the bass will be the Neck Heel (also available from Gollihurmusic.com), ordered but I haven't received mine yet. Once I determine the final location of the neck heel, I will deface the NS yet again by installing two brass inserts and screws to ensure a firm and non-rotatable (is that a word?) neck heel that mimics the feel of my acoustic upright.
Between the neck heel and the endpin stand, I have a durable, portable and great sounding EUB that you'll have to pry out of my dead lifeless hands to take it. Read that is that it really is that good and I won't be switching soon.
Lastly and/or FWIW, I've finally settled on strings that sound pretty darn close to the Dominants on my acoustic upright and I can claim that I've gone through an expensive rite of passage determining what strings sound like my upright. My "G" is a Pirastro Obligato, "D" and "A" is a Spirocore Mittel and the "E" is a Spirocore Stark. Strings are set fairly high, but not as high as my acoustic -so around 12mm on the "E" and around 7mm on the "G" - as measured from the top of the string to the fingerboard with a steel ruler. My bridge is not set straight and the "E" side is further away from the fingerboard than the "G" string.
Well, that's about it for now. I'm still waiting on the neck heel, but the endpin and current string combination stays.
I'd be interested in hearing other's musings on the endpin and the neck heel. Of course, YMMV in this whole thing. If I lived in a more mild climate, I may have chosen differently, but for me and for now, I'm set.
Cheers!
