Music Stands

[bcrsf27]

Hey All,

Calling upon the collective wisdom of TGP again. I'm about to buy a music stand. Not a big deal, but wondering what people like/don't like. Features? Brands/Models? General thoughts?

Thnx,

- bcr

[Clrtxf]

don't get a wire stand and get one that you don't have to tighten/loosen to move the head of the stand cause that get's really annoying

[TwinandTwang]

I like the Hamilton that comes with the nylon bag and comes apart so I can take it to gigs easily if I need it. The big one piece Manhasset is really awkward to take places.

[stevel]

Hey All,

Calling upon the collective wisdom of TGP again. I'm about to buy a music stand. Not a big deal, but wondering what people like/don't like. Features? Brands/Models? General thoughts?

Thnx,

- bcr

What are you playing?

The classical guitarists I know use a "double-wide" wire stand because it will handle a 2 page score laid out landscape or portrait (and will handle 3 pages portrait).

Wire stands are OK for cheap. I've had them for years. At a St. Patty's Day gig someone fell onto the stage and bent the leg on mine, and now it leans one way. But since you can swivel the top I just set it up so it leans away from me (more light shines on the music that way too).

But if you're outdoors, and need to do anything like clothespin/clip music to the stand, a decent breeez will keep tipping your stand over.

The Manhasset stands are big - they take up a lot of valuable trunk space too. The stnad will come off the shaft on the older style metal ones. The newer style ones are plastic - they're less likely to bend or come loose at the stand/post, or post/desk part, but they can be broken (of course the metal ones can be bent as well).

My vote is for "disposable" unless you're playing a gig where it can stay or you need extra weight (you can put a mic-stand weight on a Manhasset style).

Some of the wire ones are coming in colors - we used to sell scads of the white ones to churches.

If you want to really look cool, get yourself one of those clip-on LED stand lights :-)

Seriously - find one for 9.99 and if it breaks, buy another one. You won't be as upset of if it does break. I wouldn't dump 39.99 or 59.99 etc on a stand unless it had to be something that met some other requirement (and fortunately, I work at a place where I can borrow nicer ones if I need to).

Steve

[bcrsf27]

Thanks for the input gentlemen.

I'm going to be playing a number of different styles - including classical - and mostly (if not exclusively) in my little practice room/studio. So, I more interested in stability than portability. It always drives me nuts when the stand becomes top heavy and falls over when you breathe on it.

I'm looking at Manhassets and Hamiliton. If I ever need it for a gig, I'll look more toward wire/disposable models.

Thnx,

- bcr

[brad347]

I like Manhasset stands to keep around the house for rehearsals and whatnot.

I like K&M portable stands to keep in the car in case I show up somewhere and there are no stands and I need to read something.

[Jay Mitchell]

don't get a wire stand and get one that you don't have to tighten/loosen to move the head of the stand cause that get's really annoyingAgree with the first, have a caution to offer about the second. I've got one of those "don't have to tighten stands." It's a good one, too (Manhasset). I'm doing some gigs with a horn band, and the band's guitar book consists of several hundred charts in a 3-ring binder. The damn thing is so heavy that it pushes my stand to the lowest position when I set it on there. Fortunately I have the appropriate glasses prescription for reading at that distance (it happens when you get old :)). This is a stand that will hold its position with a Real Book and Real Book Volume II on the stand at the same time.

If you want a stand that will hold its position with a really heavy book on it, you may want to get one with an adjustable clamp.

[spacelord]

I use a ProLine conductor stand I picked up at GC last year. It may have cost $30-$40 but I haven't regretted the purchase. Its very solid, and I don't transport it though...its parked in the basement.

[derekd]

I like the Manhassets also, but have had this one in my teaching room for the past 5 years, and it has held up well with almost daily use, at quite a bit less $.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musicians-Gear-HeavyDuty-Folding-Music-Stand?sku=451035

[tone4days]

i use the one carvin sells
like it just fine - been bullet proof

[MjCartney]

I've been using a Manhasset Voyager, it's a portable/luggable version of their familiar band/studio stand. It's very sturdy, and collapses into 2 parts. The "desk" piece where you put the music remains as one piece and is the largest part of the stand.
When it's up, it seems as stable as their one-piece stands. When it's down, it sits flat in a bag on top of my amp, and I can stow music and other stuff in the bag too on top of the "desk" piece. Pretty cool IMHO.

[Sadhaka]

"Solid" stands are good if you need to be writing things on the score while practising.

[gtr777]

I have the jazz stand by rat stands. Expensive but really good and extremely portable. another cool thing about it is that the height adjustment goes all the way to the floor which is nice live when you need to cheat. the audience doesn't even notice it.

[gtr777]

http://www.ratstands.com/jazz.html

[Sunil]

I have the jazz stand by rat stands. Expensive but really good and extremely portable. another cool thing about it is that the height adjustment goes all the way to the floor which is nice live when you need to cheat. the audience doesn't even notice it.

How well does the Jazz Stand stay upright in outdoor settings with wind?

Thanks,

-- Sunil