Some years ago, I bought (by mistake) a “super high tech” spike with Titan screw, special carbon rod with, according to the blurb “optimal vibration and transmission characteristics” and so on.. The recommended retail price came to a breath taking €600, and that is before I have undressed the cello to fit it, and put it all back together again. I have asked all cello customers, including those with expensive Italian Celli, and no one is remotely prepared to pay €600 for a spike. If anyone comes to me and wants to try different end-pins, they will be sent to a colleague of mine who I don’t particularly like very much