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Double Bass What kind of endpin tip do I need?

Aarix

Aarix

May 19, 2006
491
8
Cary, NC
#1
I just got a new (used) Eastman VB-95 and the original rubber endpin tip/stopper is missing, so I only have the metal spike. It looks like this:
PXL_20250104_003203125.jpg


As far as I can tell the brass wheel & spike doesn't unscrew, even with a fair amount of torque from a vice-grip. It looks like it could be soldered on.

The main shaft is 10mm but the tip is only 6.65mm in diameter and quite short (16mm total, 7mm before the cone point starts).

What type of endpin tip/stopper can I put on this that doesn't destroy floors? Or do I just need a new endpin all together? Thanks!
 
#3
You can order rubber endpin tips from a number of double bass sources. Your 6.65mm might be hard to match, but a call to the source would tell you if you're ordering the right thing.

If you want the exact part I'd suggest checking out Gollihur Music's endpin selection. As mentioned, I'd also recommend calling them before placing the order to make sure you can get the size that you need.

If all you can find is 10mm, you may just want to wrap your sharp point with duct tape to fit properly in that tip.

I've found it more handy to just use a crutch tip. They are available in a number of sizes and most of them contain a metal washer inside that the sharp tip of an endpin seats into very nicely, in the process protecting the rubber from getting perforated by the sharp point as it is used.
 
#6
I kind of thought that the collar looked threaded on and wondered if it was held on with loctite, but I never tried taking a blow torch or heat gun to it, which would loosen the loctite. I used the duct tape and crutch foot solution for a long time on another bass, but prefer the screw on stoppers for 10mm end pins. I never the tried the trekking pole tip. That's a pretty good idea.
 
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#11
I got these 10mm end tips on Amazon Amazon.com
You could just cut off the sharp end with a hacksaw and put the rubber tip on. They are working very well so far. Also, just for an experiment, I bought 10mm carbon fiber rod and just replaced the whole thing. I don't know if it actually changed the way the bass plays, but it is a lot lighter. The carbon fiber is easy to saw if you want to cut off the length you don't need. There aren't any notches in the rod, so it is possible it could slip, but it hasn't been a problem on my bass. I also have an Eastman. Amazon.com
 
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#12
Rubber doorstop.png

My bass pin wore right through the original rubber. I purchased a rubber door stop similar to the one pictured above. I put a bolt through it, tightened a nut and washer onto it and mounted it my drill press and rounded off all the edges with a coarse grade sandpaper. When finished I drilled it for the pin but 0.5 mm smaller diameter than the pin so that it would get a good grip.

The result is that I now have more of a ball of rubber on the pin, any wear will be distributed over a much longer circumference and there's a lot of rubber between the pin tip and the point of contact with the floor.
 
#14
I've got a similar endpin. I like this endpin-tip:
gollihurmusic.com

Super Endpin ball attachment for Upright Bass (tip, cover)

This little endpin ball replaces the wimpy rubber cap that your endpin spike is poking through. Aside from being more durable, it also will help avoid having your endpin skid across smooth surfaces.
gollihurmusic.com gollihurmusic.com

This model is a lot more durable than most tips. You attach it to the spike below the collar. (Note the picture with the measurements to check.)
 
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#16
The sharp spike tip isn't helpful where I play. I certainly wouldn't want it to leave holes in a nice hardwood floor, or to break tiles, or to even damage linoleum.

To me, the only thing it's good for is being firmly seated in the inner metal washer in a crutch tip. That is a benefit, but I could cut just the spike off and do just as well.

I've read of orchestral situations where the spike is used, it is possible on an elevated wooden theater floor that tone transfers better with the spike, creating a room-wide resonance. But I don't know how people would prevent rattling of other things on the floor, and I don't know how they deal with the spike damage.
 
#17
A few years ago I was a member of an amateur chamber music society, where people would perform each month at members' hosues. Quite a number of the members had nice large houses with music rooms and Steinway pianos where a couple dozen people could sit and listen. At one of these performances, in a beautiful mid-century modern house on acreage, with a music room with lovely hardwood floors - well, you can guess where this is going...

Yep, the cellist took her sharp spike and just JAMMED it right into the pristine floor - then it wasn't quite right, so she stuck it in a couple more places till she had it where she wanted it! I could watch the guy that owned the house turn bright red, but being as how it was a social event he didn't pick her up and bodily throw her and the instrument down a flight of stairs out into the snow, like I would have wanted to.

I never saw her again at any of those gatherings.
 
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#18
turf3 said:
A few years ago I was a member of an amateur chamber music society, where people would perform each month at members' hosues. Quite a number of the members had nice large houses with music rooms and Steinway pianos where a couple dozen people could sit and listen. At one of these performances, in a beautiful mid-century modern house on acreage, with a music room with lovely hardwood floors - well, you can guess where this is going...

Yep, the cellist took her sharp spike and just JAMMED it right into the pristine floor - then it wasn't quite right, so she stuck it in a couple more places till she had it where she wanted it! I could watch the guy that owned the house turn bright red, but being as how it was a social event he didn't pick her up and bodily throw her and the instrument down a flight of stairs out into the snow, like I would have wanted to.

I never saw her again at any of those gatherings.
Click to expand...
Haha, I was reminded of cellists doing exactly that same thing in my college music department. Never seen anyone do it to someone's home, though.
 
#20
My favorite tips are the New Harmony or Saddle Rider ball-shaped ones. I can't remember the last time I found a floor they weren't sticky enough for me, although I have played occasionally on marble floors where neither a ball or spike would help.

Most stages have soft wood that you can stick a spike into, and I think that's probably okay. I sometimes travel with a rectangular rug that I can put down. It's held in place by my chair and then a spike or ball will hold on it. You could also use a Xeros or similar, although my chair's legs aren't really well suited for the Xeros.
 

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