how to choose cello endpin anchor

[Clwild]

Can any one recommend me which cello endpin anchor is the best to use? I have done some research and found different types of it, such as wooden one, anchor holder like black stripe etc. Not sure whether this little tool can affect the sound of cello. At the moment, I am using a simple black hole which slips very often if the floor has been polished.

[allthingspink]

Okay, sheer Sarah stupidity here... do you mean the little thingy you put on the floor that holds the endpin in place? I've always called that a rockstop. Anyhoo, if that is what you're talking about, I've used one in the past which is like a strap that goes under the leg of the chair and then you put your endpin in the end part. Or you could invest in a carbon fiber endpin, which is what I have. No need for an anchor/stop, it stabs right in the floor.

[DWT]

I think I've used every type/method in existance. I have a smal sticky black circle one, branded a Black Hole, by dycem. The viva cello is similar, but from what I've seen, not as good. I've found it can stick nicely on pretty much any surface, but isn't so great on a dirty/dusty floor. As soon as it gets dusty, it looses its stick until you wash it.

There are various ones with a wooden block with holes in connected to the chair via string or more wood. These certainly stay put pretty much perfectly, but I sometimes get a bit annoyed at the lack of freedom of placement.

My favorite method, depending on the floor, is just to bodge/make a hole. I had my spike custom made, and so it has a wonderfully sharp tip and can make a hole in pretty much any wooden floor. Of course, depending on circumstances, this isn't always appropriate. And it's rather bad for destroying carpets, too.

On the subject of just using spikes, you can get a little widget which attaches onto the end of your spike and provides a downwards angled point. I've never used one, and I would expect that it would be worse than just a sharp tip, but I don't know - and obviously some people seem to think it works.

[tiandao]

What I do is, first, get my endpin as sharp as I can. I take it to a knife sharpener and he does quite a good job. From there, i just stab it into whatever surface I need to play on. If I have trouble making it stay, I take my endpin out (to protect my cello) and try to find/make a (few) good hole to work with. As a back up measure, in case the floor is especially hard, I bring a thin yet strong mat/carpet with me. The front legs of the chair go on top of the end of the mat so it does not move. It is flawless, unless you forget it at the venue you last played at (done that a few times).

I don't like to use those rockstops as the location you can have your cello at is limited to that one spot for the playing session. I move my cello up, down, and around depending on the position I playing in, or if my back tenses up on me (which led me to develop an interesting technique to adjust the cello during long passages).

Anyway, go with a sharp endpin and a back-up carpet. It is the best things you can do. And no, the carpet will not mute the sound of the cello. It will still project just as well. Of course, don't get a thick shag rug, as that will definitely do some adverse things.

~Lucian

[cellotech]

The Black Hole is the best I've ever tried. You have to keep it and the floor clean however. Just rinse it off with some water and store it in a plastic baggie.

The Xeros strap also works.

Your best bet is a really sharp endpin. This will make your cello sound its best.

[Saffa]

What I prefer is simply having a very sharp endpin and poking it into the floor.
If I do need a rockstop, I like the kind that attaches to the chair. They feel more secure and less liable to slip.
If you DO want something that doesn't attach, go with the black hole.

Here is an interesting option. The artino rockstop is hollow and acts like a podium to help project the sound.
http://www.amazon.com/Artino-Cello-Endp ... B000Q6T6PI
Apparently it makes a big difference in some cellos but not all in others. I tried my teacher's with my cello but couldn't hear a difference. Just some food for thought.

[Vito]

i can't use a sharp endpin at home because it would ruin the wooden floor. I have a rubber stuff put on the endpin so it won't poke the floor. My "endpin anchor" is a strap that was originally for a bag. One end is tied to the chair, and you just put your endpin on the other end. It's cheap and very useful.

[zincoshine]

I played next to a guy once who actually took out a pocket knife to cut a hole in the stage for his endpin.

[allthingspink]

Hah, nice. I had a teacher 7 years ago who told me that if your rockstop anchor was slipping, get it wet (or put some spit on it) and it would stop slipping. It really works, but half the audience thought I was crazy at our last concert when I did this... haha.

[orchestracelloplayer]

I played next to a guy once who actually took out a pocket knife to cut a hole in the stage for his endpin.

That seems like something I would do but I only play in my school Orchestra so no pocket knifes to help. I do sharpen my own end pin before concerts with a really strong sander, it poked a hole in my shoe the day after the concert like butter soooooooooo yeah, REALLY SHARP! haha

[hmx]

Absolutely the best rockstop I have ever had is this:

http://www.sharmusic.com/Shop-Shar/Acce ... x-3-in.axd

I have a titanium capped endpin, so it's VERY sharp, and I dislike the rockstops with metal inserts that dull my tip. They tend to slide anyway. Those straps that fit to your chair tend to slide on me and you always have to adjust them. The only two ways I go are to use this rockstop here, or I dig the end pin directly into the floor (which doesn't work well in someone's home when you don't want to ruin their floors, and also works poorly on concrete). I have no idea what the reviewer on Shar was complaining about when they said the cello bounces off the rockstop. They must have a strange style of playing. Sure, if you bounce the cello up and down on it, yeah, it's rubber, the cello is a bit springy, but for me it's more of a shock absorber, and I've certainly never had it bounce out or anything weird like that. This item is good because it sticks to the floor well. I have not seen many rockstops stick as well as this, which is a soft rubber. Those crappy black ones with metal inserts slide everywhere. The only problem I've had with mine is that the one I have which is 7 years old finally wore through; my super-sharp titanium capped endpin finally bored a small hole through it. However, it's large enough that I just use another area of it. I doubt this will be much of an issue with other endpins. I have used one of these with my student cello (and a steel endpin) for longer than that, and it is just fine.

[orchestracelloplayer]

[quote="hmx"]Absolutely the best rockstop I have ever had is this:

I have no idea what the reviewer on Shar was complaining about when they said the cello bounces off the rockstop.


My guess for the cello bouncing off is that they used MASSIVE rubber tip protectors. I never use a tip protector, kinda gave up on them when I learned how to sharpen an endpin my self because I always wear a hole in the rubber tip in a few days.

[Tristram]

You can get rubber tips with plastic in them. I have one and I only use it when my sword tip of an endpin can't be used, like on tile or expensive wood floors.

Though I only play maybe an hour a day to practice, I've had it for over a month and there are no holes yet.

I found a page full of gadgets,
http://www.johnsonstring.com/cgi-bin/ac ... trument=CE

But I personally would go with tiandao's rug idea, more considerate to the person who owns the place, and seems less, cheesy.....