tips for guitar stand for a "training studio"

[catyak]

I'm almost done setting up my practice area and have some questions on guitar stands.

The stands are not for long term storage since I store the guitars in cases after I'm done practicing. I don't have kids or pets and tend not to drink before practicing so the stands don't need to be Ft. Knox secure.

I want something convenient so that when my friends come over, they can just grab a chair and have access to the stand (or stands).

I've seen two types.

1. The first is a tripod with an extension. You'd set the body of the guitar in the base and lean the neck in a U-joint.
2. The second looks kind of like a bicycle rack. Two lower bars with large hoops connecting them. You set the guitar on the bars and lean it against a hoop.

Are there other types out there? Are there advantages to any particular type? Is there a brand that I should be focusing on?

[relwof]

How many instruments to you want to keep out and available? For rooms dedicated to music, I've been pretty happy with wall-hangers instead of stands. Especially this one:



which I use like so:

[relwof]

Haven't used the "bicycle style" multi-instrument stands, but for single tripods I've been happy with the Hercules GS414B and Ultimate Support GS-100 stands. Personally, for solid-body instruments I like these more than the traditional style with the two lower supports sticking out to hold the bottom of the guitar. I prefer the Hercules at home - it seems a bit more solid, but the GS-100 is easier to carry to gigs (lighter and fold up very compact).

[Frankjohnson]

I have something like this .....older.....bought it used - not sure where it originated - but this is a place you can get them now....


Fred's Music Shop - Fred Bernardo owner. The inFredible Online Music Dealer


Not sure if that is what you meant or not. Its stable, small - easy to carry and use and not a bad price.

[PJSShearer]

I use the Warwick Rockstand 3 way bicycle rack onstage 'cos it takes up a lot less floor space than 3 tripods do - they also make a 5 way, a 7 and a 9 way as well. On stage, I find it makes switching instruments easier as when you put one down, the one you want next is right next to it.

However, if you want your instruments on display and space isn't an issue, then individual tripods is probably the way to go.

[catyak]

Originally Posted by relwolf

For rooms dedicated to music, I've been pretty happy with wall-hangers instead of stands.

That would keep them out of the way. My practice room doubles as our library, so every wall in the room is a bookshelf. I'm not sure there's space for the hooks.

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

However, if you want your instruments on display and space isn't an issue, then individual tripods is probably the way to go.

Originally Posted by relwolf

single tripods I've been happy with the Hercules GS414B and Ultimate Support GS-100 stands.

I'm just looking for something to keep them handy while playing. And can fold up and be put out of the way when I'm done.

[catyak]

Originally Posted by Frankjohnson

I have something like this .....older.....

Not sure if that is what you meant or not. Its stable, small - easy to carry and use and not a bad price.

That's what I meant by the "bicycle rack."

How high off the floor does it keep the guitar? I ask because the Ric's jack has the cable coming out from the bottom so it would need enough room or I'd have to unplug before putting it in the rack.

[relwof]

Originally Posted by catyak

How high off the floor does it keep the guitar? I ask because the Ric's jack has the cable coming out from the bottom so it would need enough room or I'd have to unplug before putting it in the rack.

That's one of the main benefits of tripods like the ones I mentioned - no lower arms/supports sticking underneath the bass to interfere with cables (or worse, put stress on your jack if you leave it plugged in while on the stand).

And the GS-100 is about as sweet as it gets for folding up nice when you want it out of the way.

[My name is Mudd]

I use Fretrest stands, but I only have two basses to worry about. If/when I get a third, I'll probably go to something like the Ultimate triple stand.

And IMO FWIW YMMV etc, but I'd recommend unplugging the cable in any case...one less thing to possibly trip over, and it turns the preamp off in active basses, thus saving the battery.

[PJSShearer]

This is what I meant by a bicycle rack:

Warwick Rockstand Multiple Guitar Stand For 9 Electric/Bass Guitars | DV247

I always found that with the tripod type I was forever catching straps and cables on the lower cradle and taking the stand with me when picking up my Bass.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by relwof

How many instruments to you want to keep out and available? For rooms dedicated to music, I've been pretty happy with wall-hangers instead of stands. Especially this one:


which I use like so:

I hate this guy already. Wall of funk. Thanks!

[relwof]

Originally Posted by Thor

I hate this guy already. Wall of funk. Thanks!

If it makes you feel any better, technically that's not my wall (it's in the house we're renting). And three of those basses still need some TLC before they're 100%. But I just put in the Hercules hangers and they're working great, and that was rather relevant to the OTP's question. (I wasn't just showing off.. well, maybe a little but there are many TBrs around here with more, so I guess we can hate them together!!! )

[My name is Mudd]

What's the Alembic'ish one in the corner?

[relwof]

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

What's the Alembic'ish one in the corner?

Yep, that's an Alembic, although not in the greatest shape. It was pretty rough twenty years ago when I traded a Tascam Syncaset (8 track cassette recorder) for it, and it still needs some TLC (more than any of the others). One pickup was dead, but the worst problem is a rather crude defretting job - that along with major issues around some of the inlays make it a rather challenging instrument to play (buzz-o-rama). Until recently, I hadn't made any serious efforts to get into playing fretless, which made that thing even more intimidating. But I've got plans to clean up the fretboard and get her singing again, maybe later this year. Hopefully there's some magic left in the ol' girl yet!

[Thor]

Originally Posted by relwof

If it makes you feel any better, technically that's not my wall (it's in the house we're renting). And three of those basses still need some TLC before they're 100%. But I just put in the Hercules hangers and they're working great, and that was rather relevant to the OTP's question. (I wasn't just showing off.. well, maybe a little but there are many TBrs around here with more, so I guess we can hate them together!!! )

Just kidding, of course. You have some nice gear and likely well worth the TLC.

[JTE]

The Ultimate GS-100 (second picture in relwof's post #3 above). Handy because you can set it next to the chairs, and versatile because it'll hold just about any body shape safely and securely. Only problem is a headless instrument. I don't like the "bicycle stand" ones because they take up a lot of room and only work with instruments that are pretty symetrical around the bottom. If someone brings say an Explorer over, it won't sit in there well. I don't like the "grabber" mechanism on the other one in relwof's link because, like power windows in a car, it's one more thing to break or jam.

John

[Deathblade Eric]

I've got two K & M Wave stands:



Lightweight, fold flat, fit in a gigbag & more than strong enough for the task. Not overly expensive either.

P.

[relwof]

Originally Posted by JTE

The Ultimate GS-100 (second picture in relwof's post #3 above). Handy because you can set it next to the chairs, and versatile because it'll hold just about any body shape safely and securely. Only problem is a headless instrument.

Headless would certainly be a problem. The one other downside to the GS-100 is that while they're pretty stable, it's not incredibly hard to knock them over. Part of this is the stance, part of it is the light weight. Personally I find that a very reasonable tradeoff for a stand I need to carry around, but I wanted something a little beefier for a "stay at home" stand, which is why I went with the Hercules there.

Originally Posted by JTE

I don't like the "grabber" mechanism on the other one in relwof's link because, like power windows in a car, it's one more thing to break or jam.

True, although it also adds some extra protection. Unless they end up being very fragile, I'll deal with the possibility of that breaking if it reduces the possibility of dropping a bass on the floor. Seems like a pretty tough mechanism, although I haven't used them long enough to notice any long term durability issues. And while they fit well with everything I've tried, they do get a little snug on a wide (i.e. 6 string) neck.