Endpin Manufacturers and Distributors (in alphabetical order):

Alberti Designs offers an interesting tubular endpin with a tip that can rotated between a sharp carbide point and a rubber tip. It’s a great idea, and is attractively designed. Unfortunately, when I tried this endpin it made the bass register of my cello sound a bit hollow. The same thing happened when one of my students had one installed on her cello. She also complained that the endpin clamp slipped. Perhaps Alberti will offer a solid carbon fiber or thicker-walled tubing version in the future that might offer a more solid bass tone? Still, it’s a nice concept!  https://violintools.com/product/alberti-cello-endpins/

BassCapos.com (Rob Anzellotti) is a double bassist, and one of the most innovative and experienced bass component designers in the world. His bass extensions (made in his workshop in Köln, Germany) are the among the most widely used in professional orchestras, and his endpins are rapidly gaining popularity. A member of the Saddle Rider Research Collective, Rob primarily sells his “Rob Pin” which is a non-invasive method of playing with a Laborie-style angled position that doesn’t require drilling. His new 10 mm “one-size-fits-all” mount uses a half-collet fastening method that can be retrofitted to any bass without reaming using an inexpensive, open-source conical 3D printed sleeve. (A sleeve is included with the endpin kit.) http://BassCapos.com/ Also check out http://SaddleRider.com to see the “RobPin” re-envisioned for cello by his Saddle Rider Research Collective partner John Haines-Eitzen. It is an inexpensive and robust method for using Saddle Rider’s trademark “Vector Mount” with endpin angles like the Stallhammer, TekPin, or midway in-between. The RobPin is the most versatile and non-invasive method for retrofitting cellos and basses with an angled endpin. For more info, check out this blog post on the pros and cons of angled endpins

Ben Bastin is a boutique maker of endpins for double bass, offering a variety of wood types. Please contact the maker for prices. http://benbastin.co.uk/wooden-endpins/

Klaus Bender Endpin:  This endpin fastens with a plastic collet that is secured with an aluminum dial clamp.  Bender offers a variety of endpin materials for cello and double bass. It is a well-engineered product with a following, although some musicians complain that the plastic internal collet mechanism can slip, depending on endpin materials and slight endpin diameter manufacturing variations.  http://www.bender-endpin.com/

PLAYER’S NOTES:  The Bender mount is an alternative style that screws into an instrument’s end block hole.  To fasten the endpin rod in place, an aluminum “dial” handle just below the mount tightens a plastic collet nut like a wedge around the pin.  In my experience, the round pultruded hollow endpin is one of the better sounding carbon fiber endpins on the market. On my cello, it was “warm sounding with pleasant overtones,” as advertised.  That said, when I played on one in a new cello a couple of years ago, I had some pretty annoying problems with the collet nut slipping.  Eventually, I put a little rosin on the rod, and it held better.  This pin certainly threw my luthier for a loop when he tried to remove it, not knowing it was screwed into place! Some players and luthiers object to the non-traditional look and feel of the dial clamp as opposed to a thumbscrew, but it seems to be a well-engineered design. I’ve never met a bass player who uses one (perhaps because of the slipping problems I encountered?) Many professional cello and bass players these days are getting away from carbon fiber and returning to various steel blends, aluminum, or other metals for strength of tone and a focused bass register. It’s nice to see that Bender has branched out from carbon fiber and now offers other materials.

Bois d’Harmonie offers a carbon fiber endpin model in addition to carved wood historic-looking endpins with a shorter steel extendable section for height adjustments.  These are expensive, but well made at the workshop in Crest, France.  Inquire at their website for current pricing.  http://www.boisdharmonie.net/

Cellos 2 Go wins the prize for stocking the most expensive cello endpins:  Japanese Bell Alloy 8 mm ($400 without mount).  Cube Acoustics 8 mm. ($400 without mount, 10 mm diameter $425). Memminger hollow titanium endpin with tuning holes 10 mm ($195 without mount).  https://cellos2go.com/

Players Notes: The Memminger hollow titanium endpin is an interesting concept!  Resonance within a pin certainly affects its sound (just try different length endpins of the same material, or altering the resonating frequency of a pin by attaching small weights at different positions.). The Memminger takes this concept to the max by creating a resonant hollow body with sound holes. Saddle Rider Research Collective partner Kile Hill (a well-respected “next generation” luthier based in Oregon) also makes drilled endpins in a variety of materials. He has committed a great deal of research to the project, and offers precision crafted endpins in Titanium, Carbon Steel, and a variety of other metals. Check out Kile’s work on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kilehillcellos/

Well-known luthier Christopher Dungey has created his own model of endpin made with a “one-size-fits-all” cone mount which is cut to size.  It is made of black-anodized aluminum with an internal brass slug assembly that clamps a steel endpin. Made in the USA, this endpin is expensive but very well constructed.  https://bowedacoustics.com PLAYER’S NOTES: This is a lovely endpin, visually, and sounds very good. My only complaint is that the diameter is a shade smaller even than traditional 8 mm endpins. While shorter cellists might not mind this, taller or heavier cellists may find it overly flexible. I’ve had a couple of students who encountered problems with the excessive flex in these endpins.

Traditional line of “Gewa” medium-priced endpins that have been around for decades.  Two interesting screw on tips in their line:  Wolf floor protector (a rubber ball) and the  “Gewa cello endpin tip,” a steel screw on tip with a carbide insert set in at an angle.  Some cellists like these tips, but they don’t fit all endpins, so care should be taken when ordering.  https://gb.gewamusic.com/

Glasser NY:  If you can get around using an endpin made by the same brand that made the fiberglass bows you used in elementary school orchestra, Glassers are inexpensive carbon fiber endpins that offer a budget version of the Bender models described above.  I’m not familiar with the bass model, and assume it holds the weight of the bass well without slipping (?), but bassists should check that out before ordering. The cello model I tested required quite firm tightening to achieve a decent hold without slipping. (see the Bender player’s notes above) https://glasserbows.com/

Krentz String Works cello endpins:  Retails for approximately $400 with a silicon nitride rod with a brass end and carbide tip.   This elegant, but expensive, endpin was originally made with two thumbscrews – one for tone (effectively suspending the pin in rubber or composite material, if I understand correctly) and another to set the position.  Krentz no longer makes the “tone adjusting” version, and only offers the standard.  The claim to fame is the silicon nitride ceramic material for the rod — check out notes on this and other ceramics on our“endpin materials” page.  https://krentzstringworks.com/. One thing to keep in mind with ceramic endpins is that they can crack if drop on a hard floor or subjected to hard knocks. To protect against this tendency, the Krentz endpin is thicker than other endpins (in the neighborhood of 12 mm) and isn’t offered in a 22 or 24 inch size that many cellists prefer. It gets good reviews for sound, but can’t be compared directly with standard 10 mm endpins (as most are, these days) because of the non-standard mount. Update: The 2023 half-inch vector mount design by Saddle Rider works for standard half-inch endpin rods (12.7 mm) and holds metric 12 mm rods just as securely without buzzing or slipping. It offers the only way we know of to accurately and quickly compare 12 mm rods like Krentz’s Silicone Carbide with the standard half-inch diameter rods available in many materials. Saddle Rider also offers 1/2 inch cello endpin tips for players who want the extra stiffness 1/2 inch rods offer.

Manson Superspikes: Industrial looking endpin tips with spare screw-on tungsten carbide tip on the side of the endpin inserted into the instrument. The spare tip is a nice touch because carbide tips can’t be sharpened by hand if they ever become dull or chip. Player’s notes: Does a rubber tip protector come with these? (none is shown on the website) Also, check out notes on carbide tips on the “endpin materials” page.  http://www.superspikes.co.uk/index.html

New Harmony Endpins for cello and bass as close an “industry standard” as exists in the United States. They’re made from Delrin plastic and stainless steel in 3 sizes for cello and 2 sizes for double bass, with stock plastic thumbscrews from Elesa corporation which also supplies thumbscrews for some other endpin manufacturers. New Harmony offers mid-price endpins ranging from $125 to $150 depending on the model.  I find the 8 mm versions too flexible, and the tubular carbon fiber 10 mm versions also a little too spongy to recommend to my students.  The solid carbon fiber pins for both cello and bass are New Harmony’s most popular models, but players’ tastes have been trending back towards steel. In recent years, some bass players have complained about slippage in the 1/2 inch bass endpins. I believe this is because the internal aluminum bushing that grips the endpin has very little clearance around it. As the bushing wears, tightening the thumbscrew can push it against the edge of the mount, limiting gripping force on the endpin itself and allowing slippage. Filing down the bushing may solve the problem. That said, despite the recent complaints about manufacturing spec issues, I like the basic design. With some minor modifications, I’ve used it in numerous custom built adjustable saddle endpins with good success.  https://www.newharmonymusic.com/

Saddle Rider Music offers a broad range of high quality endpins and endpin mounts with unique features. The namesake “Saddle Rider” model has a patented extension that “rides” on the saddle of a cello or bass, allowing tone adjustments by varying the downward force of strings on the bridge by changing the saddle height. The adjustable saddle model can also be used in a traditional manner without the tone adjuster installed. Saddle height changes do not require loosening the string tension on the instrument. For traditional endpin users, Saddle Rider offers endpin assemblies with an inexpensive, open-source “one size fits all” universal installation cones which offer an excellent fit without reaming. In most cases, these endpins can be installed without the help of a luthier or expensive tools. Endpin assemblies are available in diameters from 10 - 16 mm with a trademark “vector” clamp that offers a more secure hold that other bushing mechanisms. The company also makes a bicycle quick release-style ultralight mount for 16 mm hardwood bass endpins. For players and businesses with their own design needs, Saddle Rider provides affordable custom-made prototypes as well as small batch mass-production using CNC, 3D printing, and casting techniques. Always at the cutting edge of design and features, Saddle Rider endpins have earned a reputation for precision manufacturing and excellent tone, and are used by professional players around the world. Saddle Rider also sells endpin making parts like surgical steel tips, endpin stock tubing and rods, vector and quick release mounts, and any other parts needed by musicians with a desire to make their own custom endpins. Sales by the commercial branch of Saddle Rider Music support the Saddle Rider Research Collective, an informal association of musical instrument component researchers and manufacturers that publishes innovative open source designs for the string playing community. For info, check out https://SaddleRiderMusic.com

Search “cello endpin” and check out the lovely Silver Echo Studio endpins on Esty.com They’re made of jewelry grade titanium, brass, and carbon fiber with carbide tips with alternative tip shapes.  It is unclear if a rubber tip cover is included for these endpins — based on the non-standard design, probably not.  Made in Canada, these endpin tips win first place in the beauty contest! They also come close to winning the “most expensive” prize at $300 for a pin with no mount.  I haven’t had the opportunity to try one, but have two design concerns: Do they extend out too far from an endpin mount for some cellos to fit in a standard case? Can they be sharpened without ruining the cosmetic appearance? The tip is carbide, but could still chip and can’t be replaced. Something to think about when buying a $300 endpin! https://esty.com

“Sound Spike” endpins are designed by Aaron White, a bass player in the Pittsburg Symphony. MSRP for the endpins are $125-150.  They come in standard sizes from 8 mm to .5 inch, depending on the model, and have a screw-on non-slip rubber ball tip.  The bass models are indexed so they never slip in a mount. Aaron has selected steel types that he particularly likes sonically, and offers high-quality pins with carbide tips.  He is an excellent professional bassist, and these pins come recommended by players. https://soundspikeendpins.com/

Stallhammer endpins for cello:  Carbon fiber or steel telescopic endpins that have angled “Rostropovich style” settings, and can also be used like a traditional straight endpin.  I owned one of these pins long ago before the alternative materials were offered.  It had its attributes, but parts frequently vibrated loose and rattled.  Hopefully, these problems have been fixed by now? At the beginning, Stallhammer endpins were adjustable to two angles, in addition to straight. In recent years, they changed the design to offer only 25 degrees and straight. For another approach on the angled endpin, check out SaddleRider.com’s “RobPin” which offers a very secure, buzz-proof method with multiple angle options.  https://www.semmystahlhammer.se/

TekPin: The TekPin was designed by cellist Emmanuel Feldman and is essentially a modification of the 50 year old Stallhammer design, but with a steeper angle and a wooden mount. The bent endpin concept dates back to Rostropovich, Tortelier, and, more recently, Christian Laborie in the double bass world. It shifts some of the weight of the instrument to the floor and away from the players body. For me, although the light feel of the instrument is nice, the swaying motion when angling the cello from side to side (to better reach the outer strings) is less comfortable than the clean pivot on the central axis of a traditional straight endpin. The angle of Feldman’s pin is quite extreme, and as a tall cellist, I encountered some unwanted forward and backward bouncing when leaning into loud passages. The slightly less severe angle of the Stallhammer design ameliorates this problem to some extent, or check out Saddle Rider’s inexpensive “RobPin” for cello which offers a simple way to use standard endpin mounts with the Stallhammer angle, the TekPin angle, or midway in between. https://www.tekpinusa.com/

Ulsa endpins offers traditional straight and classic bent style, like Tortellier and Rostropovich used to use.  Along with Weidler, below, Ulsa is another classic European brand that has been around for decades. ($65-300) https://www.ulsamusic.com/

Weidler is another traditional German brand offering hollow steel, well-engineered, medium-priced endpins with a rubber ball tip.

Distributors offering generic as well as name-brand endpins

Howard Core https://www.howardcore.com/

International Violin https://www.internationalviolin.com/

Johnson Strings http://JohnsonString.com

Metropolitan Music Co. http://metmusic.com

Quantum Bass Center http://QuantumBassCenter.com

Shar https://www.sharmusic.com/

Southwest Strings https://www.swstrings.com

Upton Bass (bass endpins only) https://uptonbass.com/