Custom Wall Hanger

basskababble · #1 05-07-2008, 03:09 PM

Has anyone tried this? I personally detest the price of wall hangers at GC and even on Ebay. With $20 I can do much better/sturdy...

So far:

I bought a tool hanger from Home Depot. It is a bit wide but very sturdy... aprox $4...

That's really all I would need. I am going to go out now for some pipe lining (foam or rubber) to put on the hook to both make it thinner and protect the headstock.

I'm thinking of using the bottom hook as a safety rope for when i'm really not going to pic up the bass for a while.

Is there anyone out there with advice? In my head I want to make a little shelf with soft black lining for under the bass. I don't like having the full weight on the neck (it's heavy) and because Guitar Center does it and threads say it's fine, I really don't like the idea.

I'll document with pictures... here's #1:

nsmar4211 · #2 05-07-2008, 03:52 PM

I use the tool hangers for my bass. Only prob I've run into is is that they aren't meant for the way a bass hangs. I found one solution, screw them onto a wooden block and the screw the block into the wall, that way the stress is on 4 points into the wall instead of two.

The "tornado" brand (orange ends) pulled out of the stud even though I put it up per directions... whereas the generic one attached to a block has no problems. I do have the resting points covered in regular cloth because I wasn't sure if the foam was "finish safe" for my guitars...

RedemptionBass · #3 05-07-2008, 05:11 PM

[/quote]

I hate to be a thread derailer, but I have to ask....

What is up with your nut? You know, the extra gaps?

Enquiring minds want to know.

basskababble · #4 05-07-2008, 05:12 PM

Grassyass Smar... You made me want to do find the corner squares for crown molding... but that'll have to wait.

I bought pipe lining ($5 for about a foot) from the plumbing section:

Opens at one end and sticks to itself ...

got these (about $4 for two) for holding the bottom of the bass:

They also work REALLY well for the neck part... better than the tool hanger. They are thinner.

planning to either do one side at a time:

or just do the whole thing in pipe lining:

I think i'll use option 1 for the headstock section and option two for the body section.

So far i'm $30 in the hole. I have the materials to make 4 guitar hangers if i were to do it the way the ones from GC do (i.e. jut headstock support)

basskababble · #5 05-07-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedemptionBass

I hate to be a thread derailer, but I have to ask....

What is up with your nut? You know, the extra gaps?

Enquiring minds want to know.[/quote]

IDK... is that not normal for a MM stingray?

fenderphil · #6 05-07-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedemptionBass

I hate to be a thread derailer, but I have to ask....

What is up with your nut? You know, the extra gaps?

Enquiring minds want to know.

i do believe that is referred to as a 'compensated' nut.

meaning the fulcrum of the string at the nut is compensated to improve the intonation of the bass

The Golden Boy · #7 05-07-2008, 06:22 PM

Good luck!

IIRC, I bought the String Swing hangers for around $10 a pop, and used 'em for years with no problems.

As far as hanging guitars by the necks- check out guys that display large, pricey instrument collections- those are hanging on the walls. Dave Rogers at Dave's Guitar in LaCrosse has a room full of guitars, each is worth about the same as a nice house in a nice neighborhood- all hanging by their necks.

basskababble · #8 05-07-2008, 06:30 PM

IIRC (If I Remember Correctly?)

... String swings online are Total Cost: $18.90 after shipping... At GC I guess they're $13...

That's less work... but the way these are working out, IF I use the hanger that comes in a two pack and line it myself they're working out to about $5-$7 each...

The hangers that look like all the others are $8 a pop... The ones that are thinner and IMO work better are at $4 for two but they absolutely require lining...

Oh, and as I said, everyone does it. Still, I'd rather not. In the end i'll probably do it with my less expensive basses and i'm sure it'll be fine, i'd personally just feel better not doing it with my MM... nowhere near the price of a house... maybe a really really cheap car though

I could also maybe do this:

basskababble · #9 05-07-2008, 09:12 PM

Awesome. That's the kind of advice I was looking for. You've convinced me to line the lining with a black/brown/yellow paisley bandana.

TrooperFarva · #10 05-07-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basskababble

I don't like having the full weight on the neck (it's heavy) and because Guitar Center does it and threads say it's fine, I really don't like the idea.

The strings on the bass pull down on the headstock with hundreds of pounds of force. Pulling back up on the headstock with another 8-10 pounds, due to hanging the bass by it's neck, isn't going to have any adverse affects at all.

The only dangers with hanging a bass like that are the hanger falling down, or the hanger itself chaffing the bass. I know there was a problem not long ago relating to the material that Guitar Center used on their wall hangers, and how it rubbed away some of the finish on some Les Pauls necks. But as long as the hanger is well secured, and the padding is soft and doesn't cause problems for the finish (pretty common with nitro finishes), there's no danger at all in hanging a bass like that.

basskababble · #11 05-07-2008, 11:32 PM

Thanks... makes sense... I really have/will hang some guitars and basses that way... but i'd prefer if my thread didn't turn into a discussion on whether hanging or standing is better for the bass... I know custom wall hangers aren't a topic of extreme interest here, and arguing points is more rewarding for some users, but i could really just use prectical advice on building the thing, with the bottoms stand to help with the weight... because that's kind of the way i'd like to go about doing it...

t's like telling all those luthiers that that fancy cruve Dr. Seuss horn isn't necessary and won't have any effect on the sound, but on a much more budgeted and stubornly-not-going to hang it up by the headstock way.

actually interesting about the GC tidbit though... ( edit: I actually do appreciate your concern and am tired/frustrated about other issues so may have barked a little more than intended)

I do have a question:
Would it be better to use one long piece of wood for say three or four wall hangers, or the crown molding corner for each hanger? as mentioned before the danger is of the whole thing falling to the ground (therein the backup plan of a lower support) but if the whole 2x4 comes loose then 3-4 basses faceplant whereas only one had to... Other hand, it could offer more support byt reaching a few more studs... ( I'm acually drilling into a thick exterior cement wall... not sure i'd hit studs for about 12 inches.)

TrooperFarva · #12 05-08-2008, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basskababble

Thanks... makes sense... I really have/will hang some guitars and basses that way... but i'd prefer if my thread didn't turn into a discussion on whether hanging or standing is better for the bass... I know custom wall hangers aren't a topic of extreme interest here, and arguing points is more rewarding for some users, but i could really just use prectical advice on building the thing, with the bottoms stand to help with the weight... because that's kind of the way i'd like to go about doing it...

t's like telling all those luthiers that that fancy cruve Dr. Seuss horn isn't necessary and won't have any effect on the sound, but on a much more budgeted and stubornly-not-going to hang it up by the headstock way.

actually interesting about the GC tidbit though... ( edit: I actually do appreciate your concern and am tired/frustrated about other issues so may have barked a little more than intended)

I do have a question:
Would it be better to use one long piece of wood for say three or four wall hangers, or the crown molding corner for each hanger? as mentioned before the danger is of the whole thing falling to the ground (therein the backup plan of a lower support) but if the whole 2x4 comes loose then 3-4 basses faceplant whereas only one had to... Other hand, it could offer more support byt reaching a few more studs... ( I'm acually drilling into a thick exterior cement wall... not sure i'd hit studs for about 12 inches.)

I'm not trying to start a debate, I'm just pointing out that when properly done, there's no danger in hanging basses like that. Myself, I have a Warwick stand that I put all my basses on. It just sits on the floor, and 4 of my basses sit on it. Whatever bass I'm 'into' at the time I put on it's own floor stand, which is easier to get to.

I understand why you want to put a bottom plate on the hanger, but there's a few problems with that, and I'm not sure you're seeing them just yet. The wall hanger holds the bass around the nut, more or less. The distance between the nut and the bottom strap nut isn't the same on every bass. So if you build this hanger to fit your Stingray, and later on, you purchase a P Bass, it likely won't fit. And then if you get a jazz bass, which has an asymmetrical lower body, you'll definitely run into problems. You'd need an adjustable base, which would either be too complex, or put far too many holes in your wall.

As for using an individual base, or a common base, since you're drilling into a concrete wall, it's just personal preference, do you want all your basses in one spot, or around the room. You can get special concrete anchors, you drill a hole, hammer them in, and then screw them. They have a metal exterior that expands and grips the concrete. Use those and you'll be fine.

The Golden Boy · #13 05-08-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrooperFarva

I know there was a problem not long ago relating to the material that Guitar Center used on their wall hangers, and how it rubbed away some of the finish on some Les Pauls necks.

It's not a matter of rubbing, it's a matter of the rubber interacting with the lacquer. Some rubbers will "melt" nitrocellulose lacquer. If it's a poly finish, you have less to worry about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by basskababble

I do have a question:
Would it be better to use one long piece of wood for say three or four wall hangers, or the crown molding corner for each hanger? as mentioned before the danger is of the whole thing falling to the ground (therein the backup plan of a lower support) but if the whole 2x4 comes loose then 3-4 basses faceplant whereas only one had to... Other hand, it could offer more support byt reaching a few more studs... ( I'm acually drilling into a thick exterior cement wall... not sure i'd hit studs for about 12 inches.)

You're talking about mounting the hangers onto 1 2x4 and then mounting the 2x4 into the wall? That sounds like a good idea- into cement? I don't know about that.

Our house has one corner of the basement that's sort of finished. That's my "rock room." There's furring strips on the wall, and some very 70s looking paneling on there. It's not acceptable to me to mount the hangers into the furring strips (1x1) and impossible to mount into the paneling. My only thought is to hang chain from the ceiling studs to a 2x4 and mount the hangers on there. I haven't gotten around to doing it, or even looking to see if it's possible- but that's my idea.

TrooperFarva · #14 05-08-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

It's not a matter of rubbing, it's a matter of the rubber interacting with the lacquer. Some rubbers will "melt" nitrocellulose lacquer. If it's a poly finish, you have less to worry about.

No, the guitar center problem was due to rubbing, the material that they used was either really abrasive, or worn away, so the necks were getting scratched up.

It is a common problem with Nitro finishes and hangers, I mentioned it in an earlier post, but that wasn't the case this time.

The Golden Boy · #15 05-09-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrooperFarva

No, the guitar center problem was due to rubbing, the material that they used was either really abrasive, or worn away, so the necks were getting scratched up.

It is a common problem with Nitro finishes and hangers, I mentioned it in an earlier post, but that wasn't the case this time.

It figures, they don't want those guitars to fall off the hangers, just coat the rubber with 100 grit sand paper.

TrooperFarva · #16 05-09-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

It figures, they don't want those guitars to fall off the hangers, just coat the rubber with 100 grit sand paper.

Yeah, basically. I'm kinda surprised too, I never thought Guitar Center would do something stupid.

basskababble · #17 07-22-2008, 09:38 PM

In spite of the tremendous amount of interest in the subject, i'm proud of the outcome and felt like sharing...

I made two. I found the headboards at Salvation army for $20 for the pair. the wood came from my back yard and the home depot hangars were aprox.$5 for two of the ones with no coating and aprox. $6 for a single one with black coating.