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Alto Endpin Assembly Set

I am please to offer a lightweight and compact endpin assembly set designed especially for the alto violin. The full set consists of :

* 1 carbon fiber rod, 18 inches (457 mm) long; .31 inches (8 mm) in diameter.
* 1 hardened steel tip, machined to a smooth and very sharp point.
* 1 Precision-machined end plug fitting with thumbscrew.
* 1 soft rubber collar.
* 1 soft tip cap (not shown)

Not having this assembly was such a pain that I decided to create my own and make it available to other octet luthiers. This assembly will save you hours of labor, and having something designed expressly to fit the alto rib height imparts a very professional appearance to your work. It also avoids the usual enormous hole that weakens the end block of your alto when trying to use a small cello fitting.

The end plug assembly is machined from solid aluminum rod, so it is very light in weight. The rear plug has the same taper as a standard cello peg reamer, so the plug can be installed by any reasonably well-equipped violin maker. It is designed to allow the use of either the modern standard cello peg reamer or the older models that are slightly shorter. A soft rubber collar is included to cushion the assembly and protect the varnish in case you or your client prefer a slight downward angle on the rod.

The carbon-fiber rod is very light and very strong. It has been sized to fully retract inside almost any alto violin body (as a practical matter, the length of the body cavity determines the length of the rod). Should it become necessary to sharpen the steel tip, it can be touched up easily on a grinding wheel. The diameter of the steel tip prevents the rod from sliding into the body, so it doesn't need bulky stop collars or pins. The entire rod slides out and can be stored separately, if needed. The assembly can also be used effectively on tenor violins.

complete set $50.00

endplug assembly without rod, tip, and cap $20.00

carbon fiber rod, steel tip, and rubber cap $34.00

Packing and shipping extra. I must charge tax for New York State residents. This item ships UPS ground or USPS Priority Mail.

You may order this item via email for now.

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Tailhangers (tailguts)

Tailhangers are a perennial problem with the NewFamily of violins. First, the standard lengths don't fit, and, second, some of the larger New Family instruments come in two models, one with deep ribs and one with shallow ribs. Each will require a different size tailhanger. The tailhangers on this page will fit the Spear third-generation models and the Hutchins shallow-rib designs. I do not offer a tailgut for the deep-rib models because no one I am aware of is building them any more. Please contact me if you need a custom size.

Modified alto tailhanger: $6.95

Modified tenor tailhanger: $6.95

Modified baritone tailhanger: $8.95

In the photo on the right, the taihanger on the left is one that comes from commercial supply houses sized for a 1/10-size cello. This one happens to be from Howard Core, but others are nearly identical. It is just long enough so that your alto tailpiece will be suspended midway between the bridge and the saddle where it will look prominently odd.

The tailhanger to the right is sized for an alto violin of either the Hutchins or Spear design alto and assumes a rib height of 38 to 40 mm. There is a generous length of thread to accommodate different alto designs and end plug diameters. Simply nip off any excess. The final length of the installed piece will be shorter than shown in the picture.

The nylon material of the "gut" is the heavier size normally supplied for all cellos. It is about 3.5 mm in diameter. Some of the Chinese types are considerably thinner, but still seem to work. I don't offer the Chinese product as custom-length items. Because different manufacturers work under different measurement standards, be aware that on some wooden tailpieces the holes bored to receive the tailhanger might have to be widened slightly.

Since I run a small shop, I buy commercial tailhangers and modify them for length, then I cut the threads by hand with a die. This accounts for the present price, but I think you'll find that the expense is more than offset by the time you save.

To order, contact me. Please inquire If you need a tailhanger in a special size.

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