End pin on my Collings MT2 O

**Barbara Shultz** · Apr-08-2009, 6:09pm

So, I got my new Collings, got a great new Bailey Strap, and now I find that my end pin practically just falls out of my mando. I'll be playing along, then look down to find that it's fallen out, and my strap is hooked to it, but not my mando! Luckily, I'm playing sitting down!

Like most end pins, I assume, this is just stuck in there... any suggestions as to what I can do to get it to STAY?

Barb

**Mike Bunting** · Apr-08-2009, 6:13pm

Just the tiniest dab of white glue holds mine but not enough that it will be hard to remove.

**Jack Roberts** · Apr-08-2009, 6:39pm

Call Collings and tell them about the problem. I am pretty confident they will make it right for you. They took care of a similar problem for me when I broke an end pin. A new one came right away.

**testore** · Apr-08-2009, 7:04pm

Just put a small strip of fine sandpaper on the shaft until it's snug.

**Chris Biorkman** · Apr-08-2009, 7:32pm

I used the glue trick on my old Phoenix. Worked perfectly.

**MikeEdgerton** · Apr-08-2009, 7:39pm

Here is one of many threads on the subject. No matter what you do you might try the Hans Brentrup method of securing the strap shown in this picture.

**Mike Bunting** · Apr-08-2009, 8:43pm

In the old MWN, I read of a cool method. Use a rawhide strap, yank the endpin and insert rawhide, pull it out of the F/Oval hole and tie a largre enough knot to prevent it going back out the endpin hole and voila! an attached strap. Never tried it but it sounds cool.

**mandroid** · Apr-08-2009, 10:30pm

Pin may have fit fine at the store/factory YMMV .. your moisture may vary

Others have made the tapered pin a bit bigger with bit of CA glue on the pin, Let It Dry, then put it in .
the idea is to add a skosh to the size of the pin, not glue it in .

maybe Collings will supply a slightly oversize one, another approach.. same goal..

**Ivan Kelsall** · Apr-09-2009, 1:02am

I used a tiny drop of nail hardener on the end pin of my Lebeda when that was falling out all the time.The hardener or indeed nail varnish,has no structural strength - it's just sticky,so it breaks easily if you turn it sharply. I've removed & re-fitted the end pin a couple of times since then & it does work fine,
Saska

**desaljs** · Apr-09-2009, 7:50am

Barb,

I half wrap or full wrap with masking tape will snug it in. No glue!

**Avi Ziv** · Apr-09-2009, 10:22am

When I bought my Flatiron A5-Artist new at Mandolin Brothers (back in the 1990s) it had a problem with the end pin falling out. I brought it back to MB and they determined that the hole was not drilled properly. Under warranty, they plugged and re-reamed the hole. The new end pin fit very well and still does with tiny seasonal changes. If you suspect anything, have it checked out by a luthier and discuss with Collings

**Lee** · Apr-09-2009, 11:59am

If you've ever thought about adding a pick-up, do it now and wire it to the new end-pin jack.

**lespaul_79** · Apr-09-2009, 12:12pm

Ok...

So I ordered my MT to my home in Colorado. Within a week the end piece popped out. I called Collings and they sent me a couple new ones. Very nice. Collings said it happened b/c of the humidity issues in Colorado.

I popped it in and wrapped plumbers tape around it to make it snug. Then I went to a BG jam and let someone else play it that is pro, deals with real expensive instuments, and he knew the peg was popping out, etc.

Well, I guess at one point he took both hands off, the peg popped out, and it dropped on concrete. Now there's a serious ugly bruise. It's on the back and the local acoustic luther said the damage was only cosmetic.

They recommended glue. And I said fine, do it.

It took me a while to get over it.... And now I'm one of those obnoxious guys that doesnt let people play my instruments.

However, my MT plays soooo good and loud. I love it. ANd the damage is on the back side.

It just sucks b/c in the next 5 years, when I sell it, I'll have to settle for $1300-1400, if I can find an affordable F that sounds as good.

Long story short, just take it to the acoustic luther in town and have them use whatever glue they recommmend. End of long story....

PS MT's rock....

**Paul F** · Apr-09-2009, 12:36pm

Try a layer of clear nail polish on the end pin, let it try. If this is not enough to make it snug, put on a second (or third) layer.

**Chris Keth** · Apr-09-2009, 1:23pm

What I'm curious about is why they still use friction fit endpins rather than screwing a pin into the endblock.

**Frank Russell** · Apr-09-2009, 1:52pm

Ditto on the clear nail polish. Let it dry almost entirely, and use a few coats. In addition to doing this, I almost always use the above-mentioned extra safety line tied off to the tailpiece. Doesn't look as cool, but then again, neither does your mandolin falling out of your hands. If looks are an issue, something small like string, a bit of leather shoelace or twine run from the end of the strap around your tailpiece can save your instrument and your pride if the nail polish or other fixes don't hold. I live in the desert, so extreme temperature variations and swelling/shrinking endpins are part of instrument ownership for me. I've inherited instruments that had endpins superglued in, and that makes for an interesting time when you need to change tailpieces. Good Luck, Frank

**woodwizard** · Apr-09-2009, 2:07pm

When mine came out once I just licked around it and stuck it back in there with a little twist. Sounds crazy but it hasn't came out again yet. My thinking was the wetness would raise the grain a tick to help hold. If it does come out again I'll probably try the little dab of glue or the nail polish trick. Han's method would be the safest no matter what. That is if you have that type of strap to do it with.

**CelticDude** · Apr-09-2009, 9:33pm

This is not encouraging! I have been saving for a while and am ready to get a new mando. I've narrowed it down to either a Collings MT or a luthier-made instrument. This is tilting me towards the luthier. OTOH I can go play the Collings, and will tomorrow (I have the day off). The MT is one nice sounding and looking instrument.

DWP

**Avi Ziv** · Apr-09-2009, 10:01pm

Originally Posted by CelticDude

This is not encouraging! ...[cut]....This is tilting me towards the luthier.
DWP

I would not let this affect a buying decision at all. Definitely not when we are talking about a Collings. I think they are excellent instruments in sound and build quality.

**CelticDude** · Apr-10-2009, 6:40pm

Originally Posted by improziv

I would not let this affect a buying decision at all. Definitely not when we are talking about a Collings. I think they are excellent instruments in sound and build quality.

Agreed. I played a few today (MT, MT2, and MT2 oval) and thought all were quite nice. If the shop owner and I had agreed on a price, I would now have a new mando.

DWP

**MikeEdgerton** · Apr-10-2009, 11:14pm

Originally Posted by PanaDP

What I'm curious about is why they still use friction fit endpins rather than screwing a pin into the endblock.

It's a nod to tradition, and that is all.

**Barbara Shultz** · Apr-10-2009, 11:35pm

Originally Posted by Jack Roberts

Call Collings and tell them about the problem. I am pretty confident they will make it right for you. They took care of a similar problem for me when I broke an end pin. A new one came right away.

Thanks for all the input. Right now, I just wrapped once around with transparant tape, and that was all it needed to be snug. I contacted customer service at Collings, and they are going to send me another one or so, to see if one will fit better.

The idea of threading through the tailpiece, as well, looks safe, but I don't think it would work with my setup...

Liked the idea of the nail polish...

Will keep you informed!

I am usually sitting down, anyway, not standing, and if I WERE standing, I'd make sure I was HOLDING my mandolin, not hanging it!

BArb

**8ch(pl)** · Apr-11-2009, 4:24am

I am sure you would have to go out and buy the nail polish.............

Another variation of not using it is to do the rawhide thong inside, but use a wooden bead instead of just a knot.

I upgraded my Mid Missouri to a Weber tailpiece and it came with a metal endpin that uses a rubber constrictor grommet. I had to drill out the endblock with a 1/2 inch drill.

Hope it works out for you, you have a fine collection of instruments Barbara.

Cheers from Nova Scotia