Hanging basses on the wall

MilkyMcMilkMilk · #1 03-15-2011, 10:47 AM

I've decided i want to hang my 3 basses on a wall.
If i hang all 3 on studs they will be quite close together with a bit of a wide bare spot on one side of the wall.

These are walls made of drywall.
Have any of you ever hung your bass on the wall using drywall anchors rather than putting it in the stud? ooo putting it in the stud, anyway.
Did it work out ok?

the heaviest of my basses is approximately 11.5 pounds

and i'm going to be using a wall hanger like this

DRafalske · #2 03-15-2011, 10:51 AM

I would use very stout anchors, to the point of ridiculous overkill.
In fact, toggle bolts are what I'd use to anchor to the drywall.

warwick.hoy · #3 03-15-2011, 10:56 AM

I always used these succesfully.

Just make sure you get ones that are long enough to work with the hanger you use (I've used those as well as the ones with the metal plate base; both work fine I think the ones with the wooden bases are intend for acoustic guitars) and make sure you use the appropriate Drywall Molly (the anchor) for the thickness of the sheetrock.

Staredge · #4 03-15-2011, 10:58 AM

I use the anchors that come with the hangers I bought. One hanger happened to hit a stud, the other is in the drywall. They've been up for a few months....havent noticed any pulling. Drywall is pretty tough in some ways. As long as you're not overloading the weight rating of the hanger, you're probably ok.

jengebretson · #5 03-15-2011, 10:59 AM

these work really well

hover · #6 03-15-2011, 11:02 AM

I use the plastic screw-in wall anchors that come with the kits, and install intot he drywall. The design of the base plate footprint and the coupling of the anchors to it against the wall are intentional.

I put up 4 guitars along one wall, two along another, staggered, installed in this fashion, and they are all still hanging there, after 8 years.

Pre-drill for the point of the anchor, screw it in, snug it and it will compress to strengthen the spot, then install the base plate, and screw it down relative snug, don't torque it. Pop in the neck cradle and voila, done.

Jaco D · #7 03-15-2011, 11:03 AM

I have the exact same hanger as what you have there, though I have it screwed down on a wooden stud. Haven't had problems since. If i were to anchor that thing on drywall I'd go with toggle bolts as well (wouldn't even dare consider using those plastic thingies). What spacing do you have in mind between hangers? If you plan to install the hangers on one horizontal line on the wall, why not just anchor a wooden base plate to the wall using the studs as anchor points. The base plate will be as wide as you want to space the basses, and just mount the anchors on the base plate following your spacing taste.

Selta · #8 03-15-2011, 11:05 AM

Jaco D has the best idea if it works for you. Otherwise, I'd use toggles as well, not those cheeky plastic things.

hover · #9 03-15-2011, 11:13 AM

I guess I'm getting the feeling my real-world experience is being completely discounted. Oh well, what's new. When installed PROPERLY, there's nothing "cheeky" about those "plastic thingies".

To each their own.

shaft311 · #10 03-15-2011, 11:17 AM

I would not rely on compressed powder to support my $$$ basses.

Screw them into wood studs or risk the damage.

Muzoid · #11 03-15-2011, 11:21 AM

I wouldn't chance this at all....

I could care less who it worked for and for how long....that could just be luck, and you may not be so lucky.

Studs ONLY!....the one truly safe way.

jengebretson · #12 03-15-2011, 11:23 AM

Studs are by far the best, but if i had to trust an anchor without worries, it would be the toggle bolt. I have had no problems with those and have used them to hang extremely heavy and expensive items when using a stud was not possible. I have had troubles in the past with the screw in anchor and plastic expansion anchors. This comes from 20yrs of construction experience if that helps.

warwick.hoy · #13 03-15-2011, 11:23 AM

FWIW I've stopped hanging my bass on the wall. I think it's tacky and juvenile and takes up space for more appropriate art. You can claim that some basses are art,...in that case put it in a nice shadow box and properly hang it. I keep my bass in it's case.

Of course YMMV. I can see hanging your instruments up in a studio being a different story,...but,...meh.

Selta · #14 03-15-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

I guess I'm getting the feeling my real-world experience is being completely discounted. Oh well, what's new. When installed PROPERLY, there's nothing "cheeky" about those "plastic thingies".

To each their own.

I would not trust two of those plastic things to hold an 11 lb weight that is exerting a torque on the wall. I've seen far too many of them fail at simple things to trust my expensive instruments with them.

Muzoid · #15 03-15-2011, 11:47 AM

Remember...all it takes for any of the ideas (other than screwing into studs), is for you to get a failing one....one that somehow passed factory inspection.

The metal T ones?....well, I hung a plant from my ceiling with one of those....it lasted great for over a year....then I came home one day to a huge mess.

That mess could be your bass one day.

Selta · #16 03-15-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzoid

Remember...all it takes for any of the ideas (other than screwing into studs), is for you to get a failing one....one that somehow passed factory inspection.

The metal T ones?....well, I hung a plant from my ceiling with one of those....it lasted great for over a year....then I came home one day to a huge mess.

That mess could be your bass one day.

Sounds like either the ceiling got wet, or you over exerted the weight for a single toggle. Both of which can happen with the hanger, as well, but if you use two bigger ones and your drywall is in good shape, you'll be fine. Even screwing into a stud isn't 100%, as the head on the bolt can break off...

Muzoid · #17 03-15-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Sounds like either the ceiling got wet, or you over exerted the weight for a single toggle. Both of which can happen with the hanger, as well, but if you use two bigger ones and your drywall is in good shape, you'll be fine. Even screwing into a stud isn't 100%, as the head on the bolt can break off...

It was the hangar that failed.

The hole in the ceiling was perfectly fine....the screw stripped.

And it was just a small 6" pot...so even freshly watered, would not have hit 11lbs.

As for screwing into studs.....I would never just use 2 screws...my hangars have 6....the chance of all 'heads' 6 failing is virtually improbable....as well...I can actually hang off them...so 150lb test is good enough for me

(it was the one pictured in post #5)

MakiSupaStar · #18 03-15-2011, 11:59 AM

I like to keep my basses safe in a case or gig back when I'm not using them, on a stand when I am. I never leave a bass out overnight. It always goes back in its case or bag.

hdracer · #19 03-15-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jengebretson

these work really well

I use these in 5/8 drywall. Solid as a rock.

Muzoid · #20 03-15-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

I use these in 5/8 drywall. Solid as a rock.

That's the one that failed for my plant....and as I stated...it was the hardware that failed...not the drywall.