Author Topic: Guitar Stands...Questions...Warnings (Read 150 times)

jalevinemd · « **on:** April 08, 2007, 08:37:03 AM »

I use the Ultimate Support stands for all of my guitars not hanging on the wall. For all but 2, I use the GS-100 which has no arms to cradle the bottom of the guitar. The other 2 (Ric 360, '52 Tele RI) I have on GS-200's, which have arms to cradle the bottom of the guitar, absorbing nearly the entire weight. These are also the 2 guitars that I almost never play. They sit in the stands. Well, the safe for all finishes plush, black velvet leeched into the finish of the Tele, making 4 big black marks and it turned the white binding on the 360 a subtle shade of yellow-white where it made contact. The company had me send photos etc...I'm waiting to hear back. Has anyone had similar experiences? Now I'm worried about the others on the GS-100's, although the GS-100 supports most of the weight of the guitar by the neck/headstock. I'm also repositioning them if they haven't been played for awhile, to avoid the constant pressure-point effect that must have happened with the GS-200's. They make no warnings, though, about moving the instruments periodically to avaoid problems like this. Anyone have any recommendations for a stand that won't harm a guitars finish if is not being played much?

Regards,

Jonathan

chuck · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2007, 09:52:30 AM »

Jonathan.
Neophrene pipe insulation works well for me.Its cheap,avaliable at most hardware stores,comes in many sizes.
Chuck.

Chucks pearl of wisdom for April.
Tracers work both ways.

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2007, 10:03:49 AM »

Jonathan:

I use both of the stands you mention. The one with the lower supports is my favorite all time stand and I've never had a problem like you describe - but I don't leave guitars in any of them for extended periods. As far as the hanging version, while I think they are O.K., Hercules makes a great one. The cradle locks closed when a guitar is placed in it. It doesn't grab the guitar when you remove it (as the Ulimate tends to) and the material the bottom rests on feels like the stuff they make wet suits out of - not velvet.

Here's a pic of a wood and cork stand I use for a couple of guitars on display in the living room (the collection rotates). I got this at Guitar Center for about $30. Great for the living room, but I wouldn't use it at a gig. Also, it works best for acoustics and wider body electrics. Small/narrow body electrics tend to slip right through it.

Bill, tgo

(Message edited by lbpesq on April 08, 2007)

jalevinemd · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2007, 11:52:58 AM »

Thanks guys.

flaxattack · « **Reply #4 on:** April 09, 2007, 06:39:23 AM »

i have seen some of the rubber ones turn a whitish powdery finish on them. i stopped using those
been using this one from sam ash

senmen · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2007, 06:50:43 AM »

Jonathan,
I totally can agree to Bill tgo.
I only use Hercules stands as they are really the best.
Here the instruments are hanged at their headstock and the weight of the instrument closes the claws so that the bass/guitar is most secure in there. The instrument itself only leans towards to points on the lower legs or a mid rest which give the instrument only a holding point at the back of the body. And the material Hercules uses is sort of a foam rather than rubber or something. I haven?t had any bad experiences with my Hercules stands. I have several normal one instrument stands at home while having a three instrument round stand for the rehearsal room or on stage. Also I use a Hercules mic stand.

Oliver (Spyderman)

bsee · « **Reply #6 on:** April 09, 2007, 06:55:31 AM »

Hercules stands are pretty solid, but I haven't had one long term to see how it lasts. I'm not sure that I would trust any stand for long-term storage, though. The rubber parts always seems to dry out and break down eventually. It never seems like the inside of a case causes damage, so maybe someone ought to cover the contact points of a stand with that material?

kmh364 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 09, 2007, 08:04:10 AM »

Jon,

I use the Ultimate 200, but not for extended periods. Cotton tee-shirt mat'l wrapped around the velvet arms should eliminate the finish degradation. I didn't like the 100 because I don't like supporting my axes from the neck/headstock and those permanent hanger marks under the headstock really (especially on lacquer finishes) really irk me.

While I'm sure you don't wanna hear it, my guitar guy has me sh*t scared about storing my guitars anywhere but in their cases with humidifiers for the winter so the fret ends don't pop and the finishes stay stable. A bonus (besides the lack of airborn dust/dirt) is that finishes yellow and/or fade much less when not constantly exposed to light, especially UV from nat'l sunlight.

I only use the stands for temporary storage and always return my guitars to their respective cases. Don't forget to give 'em a good wipe before you put 'em back. The finishes and plating will stay nicer for much longer that way.

Sorry for the doom 'n gloom.

FWIW, I'm picking up a '77 Guild Artist Award (nee Johnny Smith Model) archtop jazzbox today that is near mint. Proper care and storage in the OHSC case (also in awesome shape) has resulted in gold plating and a lacquer finish (with very little yellowing)in immaculate condition...and it has been fairly regularly played!

Cheers,

Kevin

southpaw · « **Reply #8 on:** April 09, 2007, 09:32:45 AM »

Quick Lok stands from Italy are great. The material that contacts the guitar/bass has no long term effect (I have had basses in these stands for months at a time). A solid stand that hold any guitar, acoustic or bass. The only problem with Quick Lok is the American distributor is a bit disorganized but it is worth it.

southpaw · « **Reply #9 on:** April 09, 2007, 09:47:18 AM »

A small correction... It is Quik Lok (no c in either word). Here is a link. I use the GS471 which hold 7 guitars and has locking wheels. I can not speak for the wall hangers, only the floor stands.
http://www.quiklok.com/catalog/?p=p_8&sName=Guitar-Stands