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Double Bass Wooden endpin falls out? help?

SirFunk

SirFunk

May 24, 2001
275
5
41
Topeka, KS
www.jeffutter.com
#1
Hey all.

I just got my bass drilled for a Rabbath style angled endpin. For the most part I'm loving it. However, the pin (solid wood) falls out every time I pick my bass up. I'm guessing this is not supposed to happen?

If the taper of the pin matches the hole you would think it would have a little friction to hold it in while lifting. I have noticed (by sticking my finger in the hole) that there is a rough spot-perhaps 3/4 the way down. I am wondering if this is preventing the pin from going all the way in and thus not making proper contact?

The luthier who drilled it for me had put 'craft paper' in the hole and recommended I left the pin in for a day to work the paper into the socket (which I did). I did not have this problem before I removed the excess paper. Perhaps I just need to add more paper and work it in. If this is the case does anyone know what 'craft paper' is? It seemed like wax paper, is it the same thing?

Any suggestions on how to remedy this without taking the 8hr trip to the luthier who drilled it in the first place?

Thanks for any help,
Jeff
 
#6
kraft paper is the heavy brown wrapping paper that is used also to make corrugated cardboard. it also is possible to get waxed kraft paper. if there is additional taper sticking out of the end pin hole , and the pin is bottoming out, removing a bit from the top of the taper will tighten up the pin. if the pin is not bottoming out, there must be something stopping the pin from seating fully.
 
#7
Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, the pin is not bottoming out. What i've noticed though is this: There seems to be a 'socket' made of kraft paper just inside the hole. Not quite sure how it is made - perhaps just by lining the hole and applying pressure with the pin?

The paper extends perhaps 1.5 or so inches into the hole. It seems that where the kraft paper ends the paper is uneven and kinda bulges up. I think this is what the pin is hitting when i insert it. I was worried it was uneven-ness in the wood and thus the entire weight of the bass would be resting on a little bit of wood in the end block - fortunately I don't think this is the case. I'm not really sure what to do about the problem now.

Any ideas short of taking the time/money to drive back to KC?
 
#9
RCWilliams said:
Call Aiden and ask him what he suggests. just for the heck of it take a strip of kraft paper ( cut a hunk from a paper bag ) and roll it around the taper a couple times, see if it will then fit snugly. if it does, then something is stopping the the pin from fully engaging the the full surface of the hole.
Click to expand...

Actually got it figured out. It seems that a ridge had developed at the top-edge of the kraft-paper 'tube'. The pin was hitting this and not seating properly. I took to it with a chain-saw file (masked with masking tape to make sure I only filed down the kraft paper). After some careful working the pin seats firmly with a twist.

Aiden went out of his way to meet me early and get the job done quick so I could get back to Lincoln for a rehearsal. I really appreciate his work. Everything is A-OK with the pin - Just gotta get used to it now.

Thanks everyone.
 

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