Double Bass The great DIY endpin project

[Brilee]

The video below convinced me to give this a try. Last night I went on Ebay and ordered:
mild steel tube
6061 aluminum rod
7075 aluminum rod
solid carbon fiber rod

I already have a titanium rod. I use a fairly short endpin (about 4-5" sticking out), so I didn't have to buy a lot to have plenty for do-overs and variations. OK, I'm off to the hardware store for a fresh hacksaw and grinding wheel. Woohoo!

 

[robobass]

I have been working with John. I had been using a solid stainless 10mm pin. When he told me how much he prefers the carbon steel tube I gave it a try. I made one up with his threaded tip and ball using 10mm x 1mm wall thickness. Even the kids noticed a huge difference. Thea said that she could feel the vibrations in her feet!

 

[Brilee]

@robobass Have you seen his video where he rings the rods like chimes? It's amazing how dead the solid stainless sounds. I am also replacing a standard stainless 10mm rod. It took me a minute to find a "mild steel" 10mm outer diameter with 2mm walls like he was using, but am eager to try it out!

 

[Brilee]

I have been working with John. I had been using a solid stainless 10mm pin. When he told me how much he prefers the carbon steel tube I gave it a try. I made one up with his threaded tip and ball using 10mm x 1mm wall thickness. Even the kids noticed a huge difference. Thea said that she could feel the vibrations in her feet!

Does the 1mm wall thickness feel strong holding up the bass?

 

[robobass]

1mm is fine if you aren't too tall I suppose. I extend it about 7" and it feels totally solid. 12" might be pushing it.

 

[Brilee]

1mm is fine if you aren't too tall I suppose. I extend it about 7" and it feels totally solid. 12" might be pushing it.

Thanks, I am tall, sit low and only pull out about 4-5". I have ordered both 1mm and 2mm wall. I ordered some things from Saddle Rider and John actually phoned me yesterday and was extremely helpful. He thought 10mm endpins might be a little flimsy for a bass but we have been using them for decades and I'm not about to switch to a fat endpin at this point. Especially when the endpin is so short.

 

[robobass]

John is a cellist, so isn't completely familiar with what bassists need. Great designer though. Yes. I think that 1mm wall should be fine for up to 9". There might also be a tonal advantage from using a thinner wall. Please report your results!

 

[Brilee]

That's what I'm thinking, too Robobass. I will definitely report back.

 

[Earl]

Be careful cutting the carbon one, you do not want to inhale that dust. Also, the carbon needs to be used with a collar endpin. The one with the screw will cause it to break.

 

[JBarz]

Be careful cutting the carbon one, you do not want to inhale that dust. Also, the carbon needs to be used with a collar endpin. The one with the screw will cause it to break.

I might me mistaken, but I think that’s only hollow CF. The new CF Ergonpin I got on my hybrid uses solid CF rod, no collar. It works well, but damned if I don’t want to start experimenting with replacing the steel endpin on my ply bass now… it never ends…

 

[Brilee]

I have ordered a solid CF rod. Also, I will use this clever idea to make a non-damaging solution for adjusting the endpin length. DIY carbon endpin (< 20$)

Yesterday I successfully smoothed out the rough end of the titanium rod I bought using a drill and grindstone like in the Youtube video above. I have enough rod to cut it in half and make two titanium ones today while I wait for my aluminums, steel tubes, and carbon to arrive. I love this stuff.

 

[robobass]

I am planning to offer woven CF tube, 10mm x 1mm, but also bought some solid CF just for fun. What would be the advantage? All I can see is that it might be stiffer and safer for very tall players. I have yet to compare the sound of either the CF tube or solid against the cold rolled steel tube.

 

[Hasty]

Interested to see what you all come up with.

I just received a 10mm x 500mm Titanium rod. My plan was to make two endpins, one solid titanium and the other a wooden pin with a short titanium insert (since I'll have plenty left over). Just trying to decide what wood I want to use and what the overall diameter/taper will be for the wooden pin.

 

[Jaygetsreal]

Innovative and fun thread. Look forward to the results

 

[james condino]

What would be the advantage?

Variance in mass, stiffness, speed of sound, coupling, tone....and then 50 different customers complaining about 50 different responses on 50 different basses!

 

[Brilee]

Innovative and fun thread. Look forward to the results

I'm going to have to start a spreadsheet! I'm doing aluminum tube and rod, titanium rod, steel tube, solid carbon fiber, a couple different wall thicknesses on the tubes. All will be tested with a Saddle Rider tip and rubber ball tip cover.

 

[james condino]

All of this is readily accessible with John Hay's Begin Pin double bass endpin. He offers almost 20 different materials and a great quick release design.

 

[Hasty]

Titanium bar stock arrived. Looks great. I also started on the wooden end pin today. I decided to try Olive wood... mainly because I have two 1.5x12 pieces of turning stock on my wood shelf. I was going to do walnut, but didn't feel like driving across town. I also have some Bocote, but it's 1.25x12 and I don't anticipate a huge difference between bocote and olive wood in the end results so I'd rather start with the larger diameter stock.

I've got the wood started, but I'm trying to decide on upper circumference and what I'm going to use as a collar. I've got some stainless kicking around in the shop and that would probably match the titanium better than brass.

Anyone who's made wooden endpins have experience with different collar materials? Also, what dimensions have you used for your taper? The wooden pin will be slightly less than 10 inches (haven't done exact measurements yet).

 

[Hasty]

I decided on a pleasing taper and finished up the Olivewood endpin yesterday. Waiting on a rubber ball end to arrive from Saddlerider Music. Initial test fit was good. Once I get everything completed I'll give it a thorough testing in different playing environments.

Gratuitous pics below:

 

[Mark_T]

View attachment 4707645

I like how that bass hangs from the ceiling.