Best stand and strap-locks?

[csm672]

If this is in the wrong forum please feel free to move it. I just bought my firet bass and am looking for some accessories. I'd like a stand. I have seen about 30 different ones around town and would like a recomendation for the better built ones. I don't want to have to buy another one in a year and don't want my bass falling off some unstable tube. I also have an old woven strap from the '60's that I love, but the holes on the end are getting enlarged enough to not be very secure. Would strap-locks allow me to use my strap? If so, what brand do you think is the best? Thanks in advance!

[Valerus]

Look into Hercules stands.

And for strap locks, yes you can use your own strap (unless it's one of those dimarzio ones, don't bother).

I have "Zeppellin" straplocks and they RULE.
http://www.samash.com/webapp/wcs/sto...2_10002_437274

Check them out!!

[ShowKing]

in my experience the hercules stands left a black mark on the neck so i switched to a K&M triangle guitar stand and its perfect and easily portable.

dunlop straplocks are very popular but i havent used straplocks before so i cant comment on my own experience

[Jefenator]

Stand-wise, Ultimate makes good stuff IME. Hamilton is cool too - just make sure to tighten the base clutch down real good if you get that model.

For strap locks, let me be the first of many to chime in with the Grolsch beer bottle lid seal:



IMHO "real" strap locks are a PITA. I like to leave the strap on the bass when I put it in the gig bag but the strap locks I've had (Schaller & Dunlop) don't really permit that (premature wear on gig bag and/or the straplok).

Between the 2, I'd prefer the Dunlop system slightly. I like the ball bearing pivot and the large strap buttons that can function just fine in a conventional capacity.

The Schaller strap lock is more robust, but the buttons are tiny - not usable w/o the lock, which can get lost if the nut comes loose.

[bassybill]

+1 for Hercules stands. I haven't seen anything better.

My own preference is for Schaller strap locks, but most systems from the well known guys work fine.

[OshKoshJoash]

Ultimate GS100 + Dunlop dual design strap locks.

perfect.

[dave64o]

I have a few of the Ultimate's and they're perfectly fine but when I bought my last bass I got a Hercules stand. I really like that one a lot.

The rubber rings from the Grolsch bottles do work very well as strap locks. I've also noticed that putting my basses in their cases with the straps on makes it hard to close the cases. With the strap locks it's easy to get the strap off and back on without having to worry about the Grolsch ring and the leather at the end of the strap wearing out. Just my personal preference.

[Philbiker]

Konig & Meyer stands are my favorite by a long shot.

Funny, at the international Talkbass GTG they were giving away a lot of baseball caps, the one I got was for "K&M Stands", I should have soundly endorsed them at that time, stood up and pronounced to everyone - "Hey these stands are the best, come check out the one I have holding up my Tacoma!".

Note: They will not work with the offset body of a Jazz bass.

[dave64o]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

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Note: They will not work with the offset body of a Jazz bass.

That's the reason I bought the Ultimates and that Hercules. I still have two Jazzes and I used to have a third so I bought stands that have no braces underneath the body and instead hold the bass by the headstock. I do have other basses, though, so I might check out Konig & Meyer stands.

[baba]

Hercules for stand. Straplocks - whateva.

[Infernal Affair]

Originally Posted by Jefenator

IMHO "real" strap locks are a PITA. I like to leave the strap on the bass when I put it in the gig bag but the strap locks I've had (Schaller & Dunlop) don't really permit that (premature wear on gig bag and/or the straplok).

I'm the opposite. I like to take the straps off my basses every time they go in a case or bag mainly because I have a hard time getting them in the case/bag. So something that allows me to put on and remove the strap quickly like the Dunlop design is great.

For those that aren't like me the Grolsch rubber thingies are just the ticket.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Funny, at the international Talkbass GTG they were giving away a lot of baseball caps, the one I got was for "K&M Stands"...

You got one of those caps? Damn you, I travelled 3000 miles to get to that event and got nothing except a hangover!

[csm672]

Wow, thanks for all the answers! So I guess I need to check out the Hercules and K&M stands. As far as the straplocks go, if I understand right the Dunlops will allow another strap to work on my bass without the locks on it? That could be a plus. I can't leave my strap on when I put my bass in the case or it wont fit in properly and close all the way. I just don't want to wallow out the holes in my strap any further than they already are. I guy I play with suggested strap locks to solve this problem. I think I can go to the store with some idea of what I need now. THANKS ALOT for all the input! You folks are great!

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by csm672

As far as the straplocks go, if I understand right the Dunlops will allow another strap to work on my bass without the locks on it?

Both the Shallers and the Dunlops will allow this.