My Dycem Black Hole rockstop did not play well with my rubber-tipped endpin on my Wyss Montagnana. The rubber tip was too big, causing it to shift around while I played. My solution was to swap out the rubber-tipped endpin for the 2’ threaded 5/16” metal rod from ACE Hardware I bought earlier in February.
The threaded metal rod fit nicely in the Dycem Black Hole, but had problems of its own. It felt too flimsy at times; as I was playing, oftentimes I could feel it bending. It also had the accidental possibility of falling into the cello itself when being retracted. (To prevent that from happening, I tied a string near the tip.)
My solution was to remove the rubber tip completely. Earlier attempts with normal scissors / household knives failed, hence the need to ask my dad for a woodworking saw. However, Dad had his own opinions. He refused to let me borrow his saw, but promised to help me sand down the rubber tip using his electric sander.
The sanding didn’t take long; afterwards, the rubber tip looked triangular. I gave the new rubber tip a 30min test run with the Dycem. Initial impressions are good, but I’m not going to speak too fast.
Anyway, if this new rubber tip still doesn’t stay put, I’m going to switch over to an adjustable belt. The old one I used during my CYS days is nowhere to be found, but new belts only cost ~$10 these days. I did consider switching over to a carbon fiber endpin, but discouragement from Google cellists scared me away. (They claim a carbon fiber endpin darkens the sound of an instrument.)
