Paul Tseng ICS Staff Administrator Posts: 1394 (6/20/01 6:47:12 pm) Reply Endpin holders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hate them and for about 20 years have managed to avoid using them. But my last concert, at a Museum with Marble floors proved to be most challenging. I hadn't anticipated this problem. They had a ridiculous solution. My chair was set atop a large (very large) piece of white poster board (about 1/4 inch thick) and My endpin was to stay in the little hole it poked through...most uncomfortable and distressing. I decided that I have have to have some kind of endpin holder to use. Any recommendations? The Xeros strap apparatus looks interesting but I'm not sure it will be long enough as I have the endpin very far from me (even with a bent endpin). I might just get a regular black donut (don't drool, KK fans). I realize that they can slip, but I learned that if I place a doubles sided strip of duct tape on the bottom, it won't move at all. At least I can position it where ever it needs to be. Any thoughts? Paul Tseng My Website Alexander's Photo Albums Free Cello Music! Betsy C Registered User Posts: 367 (6/20/01 8:08:10 pm) Reply Re: Endpin holders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Paul. I have used the Xeros and it works very well. It can be extended quite a bit. I have a favorite cello stool that I sit upon now (no more chair legs, it has a round, flat base) so it can't be used too well with the Xeros. I swear by the "Stoppin" by Super Sensitive. It is rubbery and very pliable. It is clear, and has knobby bumps on the top side, and a smooth bottom. It sticks to my hardwood floors at home really well. If the Stoppin AND the surface under it are both relatively clean, then the performance is optimal. Hope that helps! P.S. I still want to satisfyingly stab my endpin into the wood floor, but I know that my husband would object just a little. We had a good laugh about it. I told him I'd like to 'thunk' it into the floor-just once! I'm not going to belabor the point with him either, he is more than understanding about things cello! Edited by: Betsy C at: 6/20/01 8:10:44 pm Tracie Price Registered User Posts: 530 (6/20/01 9:19:47 pm) Reply I hate 'em too -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've had to use the shoulder strap from my cello case to hold my endpin on occasion, it works fine. heehee. I did get one of those little oreo looking ones from Ellen last summer and have used it a few times, I forgot the brand name. They are really small and the little rope thingies wind up inside it for neat packing away. YOu can also use it without the rope thingies in some situations. The Xeros ones have a metal endpin holder, don't they? Doesn't that dull your endpin? lblake Registered User Posts: 386 (6/20/01 9:47:47 pm) Reply Re: Endpin holders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul, I have the same trouble - with the endpin pretty far out. I have one holder attached to a strap that doesn't really reach, and I find I have to sit way back in my chair for it to work. Also, I find that since the chair leg is on a side, and I want my endpin in the middle in front of me, it keeps wanting to slip sideways. I also have tried the stoppin, which is extremely grippy, but at the angle where my endpin is, it still likes to skip away from me. With the bent endpin, though, you might be pointed down enough. If you're going to try a free-standing one, I'd definitely try the stoppin. I like the grippiness of it, and I also very much like the bumpy rubber top, as opposed to a metal dish. On the metal dish kind, I also found my endpin not fitting quite right into it, and slipping out.... again because of the angle, and the slippery metal. Also, on Marble, the suction possibility built into the shape of the stoppin just might work. Good luck! DWThomas Registered User Posts: 357 (6/20/01 10:29:02 pm) Reply Sorta Clunky but... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Haven't I seen people using a sort of "T" square made of 1 x 3 pine or the like? You put the top of the T behind the two front legs of the chair then let the long part stick out away from you. Probably about a $4 project from Home Depot, etc. Carrying it around would be way less convenient than those little donuts with the strings, of course. (Could make it a take-apart item with a couple of bolts and wingnuts.) But you could sure stab it with that satisfying "thunk!" Dave Steve Drake Registered User Posts: 367 (6/20/01 11:28:23 pm) Reply Community Supporter Re: Endpin holders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The best donut thingie out there is a thing called the "Black Hole", made in England, which as far as I know is only available in the US from Music City Strings. It's a hard rubber thing that almost attaches itself to floors, depending on the surface. I sometimes have to pry mine off the floor. I think the url is www.musiccitystrings.com, but if this doesn't work, a search should find them. Many of us in the Nashville Symphony use them - Music City Strings was originally located here. BTW, the key with these things, and others of it's ilk is keeping it clean - I regularly wash mine with water, and keep it in a plastic ziplock bag between use. It lasts a lot longer this way. And using a bent endpin can alleviate slippage, as I'm sure you're aware, Paul. I also carry a length of speaker cable (from a 1984 Ford Tempo) for use in situations where the black hole won't suffice - tie one end around the base of your chair, and be creative about several other knots, and you're in business. I've got a story about this cable, but it's not for here. My MP3's My Cello Homepage rocel Registered User Posts: 16 (6/21/01 8:15:49 am) Reply Re: Black holes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I totally second that! Especially for marble floors, they are fantastic. Just make sure you carry something to clean the bit of floor you put it on cos it also has a habit of sticking to dust. They are an absolute life saver though. AzN Cellist Registered User Posts: 5 (6/21/01 8:29:09 am) Reply Re: Endpin holders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's a previous thread that may help. pub1.ezboard.com/fcellofuninstrumentsandequipment.showMessage?topicID=534.topic Daniel bridge Registered User Posts: 130 (6/21/01 9:48:51 am) Reply Re: Endpin holders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This may not be what you're looking for but . . . As I posted recently, I just saw the Ahn Trio. The cellist had a small (and quite nice) rug. It was about 2 feet by 3 feet. Her feet and the legs of the chair kept the rug from moving and her end pin in the rug kept the cello from moving. (At least I couldn't see any other attachment of the rug to the chair.) From what I am told, the end pin touching the hard surface of the performance space floor has something to do with the acoustics. However, I must say, I had no problem hearing this cellist from my seat in row "Q". P.S. The rug went well with her vinyl leopard skin print pants in a funky, clashy kind of way. Laura Wichers Moderator Posts: 1013 (6/21/01 10:55:03 am) Reply Re: Endpin holders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estien makes a GREAT endpin holder/strap. It's basically a small round wood piece with a hole halfway through for your endpin, attached to the chair leg with an adjustable nylon strap. When the weight of your cello is on the wood piece, the nylon cannot move. And the biggest plus: Those chairs with no individual legs are no longer a problem! It comes with an extra nylon strap that goes around whatever base the chair has and then attaches to the existing strap and wood piece. Shar carries them for about $15, Worth Every Penny. Laura Andrew Victor Registered User Posts: 344 (6/21/01 11:30:50 am) Reply "Black Hole" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I purchased my "Black Hole" from Ifshin Violins a couple of years ago. It is at it's best on really hard, slick surfaces. If it has a tendency to slip it is because of dust on the surfaces and a little water (or soap and water - available in any lavatory) will make it cling to the floor like glue - I find I have to pry it up. It is small enough to carry on stage in your pocket - or in the bag around my cello's neck, that also protects the cello back from jacket buttons etc. To protect people's carpets (for those who worry about that), I use just about the lowest priced disc-stop or similar name, semi-hard rubber disk with a metal cup at the center. I have added a rubberized backing to keep it from slipping on carpets - no more strings and belts around chair legs for me. Andy 42 Registered User Posts: 188 (6/21/01 11:35:18 am) Reply Re: Black holes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- just another vote for te black hole...... it's almos unbeliveable how well they stick. Just make sure you put it right where you want it, because it is nearly impossible to slide it to where you need it.... you have to pick it up and move it. I very rarely use it though (usualy on marble, or wood that people dont want holes in), owing to my VERY sharp endpin (thank you david Bice) me4cello Registered User Posts: 117 (6/21/01 1:51:00 pm) Reply end pin holders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have a strip of black rubber matting about 3ft 6ins by about 5ins, it has fine ridges on the top, I just slip one end under the chair leg, it never slips and you can put the spike in wherever you want, my spike is really blunt but it still holds it just fine. It rolls/folds up to travel in music pocket of my Bam case. Perfect! Sasha A M Registered User Posts: 54 (6/21/01 3:22:42 pm) Reply everyone envies my "cellino" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hello! i have a really good holder, called "cellino". it is plastic, cello shaped, and has some patent system inside to prevent the strings slipping. it has black nylon string that can be wrapped around the holder so it fits neatly to ones pocket. the string can be hooked to any kind of chair leg/legs - even tube leg chairs. underside has rubber on it to prevent sideways slipping. after i purchased it from my ex-teacher i havent had any problems. and other cellists envy it because o f the really cool cello shape! i think it was manufactured in england. perhaps it can be found in the net? sasha Sasha A M Registered User Posts: 55 (6/21/01 4:01:03 pm) Reply i found it for you -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hi! you can see cellino at www.cello-world.de under accessories/floor protecrion i remembered wrong, it is a german invention. sasha Christopher Chan Registered User Posts: 130 (6/22/01 1:11:13 pm) Reply Re: Endpin holders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xeros is cheap and does the job (i use a long/bent endpin as well), but if you want something that is very cool looking and very compact (it literally fits in your pocket) you can get the Iojo. I bought mine from Ellen at cellos2go. www.cellos2go.com/iojo.htm Alex Registered User Posts: 17 (6/22/01 2:05:45 pm) Reply Re: Endpin holders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Black holes are certainly the way forward! But my teacher swears by this big piece of black rubbery plastic with ridges on it (like a car mat). They don't look very nice though. However, she's quite mad. Victor Sazer Registered User Posts: 92 (6/22/01 6:12:37 pm) Reply Endpin on marble -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You might carry a bit of duct tape or even masking tape for marble emergencies. It sticks to a slick floor and you can overlap enough layers to provide a stable pad for the point of your endpin. oldmancello Registered User Posts: 10 (6/22/01 10:13:41 pm) Reply endpin holder -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My solution- a piece of carpet with stiff backing (just get a sample from a carpet sales outlet, color is your choice, for free, a berber works well) size about 3 by 8 inches, back it with that soft rubbery stuff used for backing carpets, cut a slot into one end und use an adjustable nylon strap, about 3/4 inch wide (you can also use a decorative cord through 2 holes at the end of the carpet piece). I have tried other holders and like this the best. Herbert DoDahlberg Moderator Posts: 95 (6/23/01 5:19:31 am) Reply Black holes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can get them from Ellen at cellos2go, thanks to me she carries them. Dorie Bob Blais Registered User Posts: 70 (6/24/01 9:44:49 pm) Reply Old Belt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I use a belt. I wrap it around the left leg of the chair, and stick my endpin into the leather. If you have a dull endpin, just put it into one of the holes. Very cheap, and you can get them ion many colors! Bob