Stands that don’t break!

[NoirBass]

I’ve used a multitude of different stands for my bass on gigs over the years. Most recently the Hercules ones which as a design I like. However after say a year of gigging they always fall apart and I end up having to buy another one.

 

My question is: can anyone recommend a sturdy and reliable stand which can take a bit of abuse (probably about 100 gigs a year) without just breaking or do I just need to add it to my expenses as a disposable item like strings?

[Chienmortbb]

I use a K&M https://www.k-m.de/en/products/stands-and-accessories-for-instruments/fretted-instruments/17570-e-a-guitar-stand-duet-black-with-translucent-support-elements

 

it is really solid and has been used for several years. Still as good as new.

[lemmywinks]

Is it the gripping mechanism on your Hercules stands that's breaking? There's a few videos online which detail how to fix them.

 

I have one of the older Hercules stands which seems to be much more durable, had it knocking on 15 years now and still works as new. One of the arms stopped working but it was easy enough to fix this in a few minutes, been fine since.

Edited June 23, 2023 by lemmywinks

[NoirBass]

15 hours ago, lemmywinks said:

Is it the gripping mechanism on your Hercules stands that's breaking? There's a few videos online which detail how to fix them.

 

I have one of the older Hercules stands which seems to be much more durable, had it knocking on 15 years now and still works as new. One of the arms stopped working but it was easy enough to fix this in a few minutes, been fine since.

I’ve had 4 Hercules stands, 2 of the I still have - none of them still work. 
 

first 2 went all sticky on the rubber parts - just what I don’t want when I’m about to play.

 

On both the others the gripping mechanism broke. On one the thing that locks into the upright to set the height broke.

 

I eventually retired them after gaffering them together and bought this:

 

https://reverb.com/uk/p/ultimate-support-gs-1000-genesis-series-pro-guitar-stand?hfid=69461713&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20304708451&utm_content=campaignid=20304708451_adgroupid=_productpartitionid==merchantid=564211736_productid=69461713_keyword=_device=m_adposition=_matchtype=_creative=&gbraid=0AAAAADRxZYWcfnSQZpc5LRlCjqLQLwPCr&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqNqkBhDlARIsAFaxvwzU999Qw-CJhuGCd13vcehANWkk1gXr1WN_-qdi0IIlasXxN-jIOpMaAq57EALw_wcB

 

This had now had the gripping mechanism break and I need to get a new stand - Hence the post.

 

 

[NoirBass]

It seems there is a bit of a gap in the market here. I’d happily pay quite a lot of money for a robust stand that is gigworthy.

 

My kids have scooters that when a bit breaks or falls off you can simply order that part from the website. Guitar stand manufacturers could adopt this model. I’d buy one or three!

Edited June 24, 2023 by NoirBass

[Dan Dare]

I'm a K&M fan. I also have a couple of Quiklok mixer stands, which are solid and have lasted for years. If their bass/guitar stands are as well built, they'd be worth a look.

[BigRedX]

On 24/06/2023 at 11:33, NoirBass said:

My kids have scooters that when a bit breaks or falls off you can simply order that part from the website. Guitar stand manufacturers could adopt this model. I’d buy one or three!

 

IIRC you can buy spare parts for everything that K&M make.

[Owen]

K&M are the bomb. 

[Dan Dare]

4 hours ago, BigRedX said:

 

IIRC you can buy spare parts for everything that K&M make.

 

Yep. I have a Trigger's Broom K&M mic stand that is almost 50 years old. 

[BigRedX]

Regarding the plastic/rubber on Hercules stands going sticky (and eventually breaking), this is a manufacturing defect and Hercules should replace any stands that exhibit these symptoms with new versions that don't have this problem. They replaced 4 for me some years back. IIRC their UK distributor is Strings & Things so get in touch with them.

[NoirBass]

Ah, ok I’ll definitely look into that. Thanks 🙏

[MrProud]

https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/D_%26_A_Stands.html
 

i bought one of these (starfish active)around 2 years ago. 200ish gigs plus various studio sessions later and I reckon ill

get at least 10 years out of it

[NoirBass]

12 hours ago, MrProud said:

https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/D_%26_A_Stands.html
 

i bought one of these (starfish active)around 2 years ago. 200ish gigs plus various studio sessions later and I reckon ill

get at least 10 years out of it

I’d not seen these before. It looks ideal, lifetime guarantee too! Thanks for the heads up.

[crazycloud]

I've been using cheap steel A frame folding stands for years, as well as larger 7 instrument units for many years. Never had anything come out of them accidentally. The A frames are about 7 quid posted and last years.

 

 

 

[tauzero]

I generally use the Stagg (or related) cheap tripod stands when I use one, the ones with a pivoting bar to hold the neck rather than a big rubber band.

 

https://staggmusic.com/en/products/view/SGA100BK-tripod-guitar-stand/

[AndyFereday]

I've also used those little A-frame stands and never had one break. They're a bit like these ones: Millenium GS-2001 E – Thomann UK

 

Easy to carry and set up and not much that can break really. I've got one of the Thomann ones which is really nice but a bit more fragile, but I tend not to use that for gigs.

 

I think I even found one in a charity shop for a fiver. I've permanently got one in the back of the car! 

[Bassman68]

The only thing that bothers me about those A frame stands is that I predominantly play basses with off-set bodies, like Jazz basses & they don’t sit right? 
I do have a couple of these stands but they have the addition of a neck support, with arms that swing up & latch together…

Unfortunately no-one seems to make these anymore?

[Bigguy2017]

On 27/07/2023 at 09:38, Bassman68 said:

The only thing that bothers me about those A frame stands is that I predominantly play basses with off-set bodies, like Jazz basses & they don’t sit right? 
I do have a couple of these stands but they have the addition of a neck support, with arms that swing up & latch together…

Unfortunately no-one seems to make these anymore?

You can wiggle a bit of pipe insulation over the left-hand arm bit - this helps offset basses sit level

[tony_m]

Inspired by this thread (and a similar discussion over on The Other Place), I've just invested some of my recent gig money in a K&M Memphis Pro stand. Very smart bit of kit it is too, and works perfectly for both my Precision and my Jazz. Reckon I'll still be using my Amperstand leany-up / neck-cradle thing in the spacious, nicely-carpeted, less-than-dynamic environment of our rehearsal studio, but the K&M should be be just the thing on the cramped, less plush stages we regularly find ourselves on, and which are already cluttered with four guitars and a mandolin all on A-frame stands. 🫣

 

https://www.k-m.de/en/products/stands-and-accessories-for-instruments/fretted-instruments/17670-guitar-stand-memphis-pro-black?c=156