Easy, effective fix for loose end pin

[JHey!]

I have a new Eastman E10ss that I’m thrilled with but have one minor problem. The end pin hole is wide, and the end pin is also wide (maybe not wide enough) but cylindrical and not tapered (or at least not much). On my other guitars, the end pins are a bit narrower and tapered so that they fit pretty firmly with a press of the thumb. On the Eastman, it doesn’t fit firmly and comes out frequently. It’s not a major issue because it stays put okay while I’m standing and playing, but I’d rather have it fit a bit more firmly so that it won’t come out and cause me to drop the guitar or lose the pin. It does fall out whenever I set the guitar on the stand.

I don’t really want to use glue. I’m thinking something like a thin double-sided tape cut to fit and wrap around the base of the end pin where it will contact with the end pin hole when fully inserted - just enough to make it stay put but not so much that I can’t easily pull it out. Or even electrical tape, just enough to add a bit more volume to the end pin so it fits firmly.

Do you have any recommendations or warnings? Thanks!

[bsman]

[Mirosh]

Is the taper the same on the pin and the hole? I'd get that adjusted first.

I would try electrical heat-shrink tubing on the pin. Then give it a good test - does it stick on firmly, not twist or slide off?

(Someone else here probably has experience with this problem - I do not.)

[JayBee1404]

Do you give it a twist when you insert it into the hole? It definitely looks tapered, and a firm push with a twisting motion usually secures a slightly loose pin. If that’s insufficient to hold the pin in the hole, then a wind of thin tape - e.g. painter’s or electrical tape - should do the trick. AFAIK, there is no downside to doing it this way.

I know you say you don’t want to glue it, but a tiny drop of woodworking glue (e.g. Titebond) on the shaft of the pin should also secure it and, should you ever need to remove it, the glue-bond can be broken by using pliers padded with a piece of leather to carefully twist the pin.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

[JHey!]

Even giving it a twist doesn’t get it to stay. It’s just that the hole is too big for the pin, taper or not. I think I’ll try some electrical tape and see how that works.

[Victory Pete]

I have had similar situations where I would lightly and evenly coat the inside of the hole with glue and allow it to dry. If it is too tight you can then sand or file it to fit.

[JKMartin]

From the Master, Frank Ford at Gryphon Strings:

Loose End Pin

He builds up a layer (or layers) of CA, then uses a proper luthier's reamer (not cheap, available from StewMac, LMII, Philadelphia Luthier) with the correct taper for the end pin. Other reamers will tear out the end piece.

[Neil K Walk]

Why is this so complicated? If it’s black, wrap it in electrical tape. Nobody’s gonna see it.

[Russ C]

If the tapers match ok I’d put CA glue on the pin - easy, no risk to the guitar and still repeatable or sandable ‘ til it fits like you want.

[JHey!]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[40bpm]

This time of year when the furnace runs a lot, low humidity can cause shrinkage of wood and make end-pins loose. Check the humidity.