Should I get an A Frame or Regular Stand?

[dostoyevsky]

I've been using wall hangers up until now but have no more room left on my wall! My new ibanez needs a stand but I don't know whether to get an A frame or a larger one with a neck holder. Here are a couple of examples:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FOLDING-A-FRAME-GUITAR-STAND-FOR-ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC-BASS_W0QQitemZ220542599980QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item33595d032c"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FOLDING-A-FRAME-GUIT...=item33595d032c[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Universal-Guitar-Stand-Acoustic-Electric-Bass-Guitars_W0QQitemZ290390726865QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_MusicalInstr_Access_RL?hash=item439ca2d8d1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Universal-Guitar-Sta...=item439ca2d8d1[/url]

Can anyone tell me the pros and cos of each or which you'd recommend? My main concern is the bass falling over so I was thinking the larger stand but I'm not sure.

Thanks

[Hot Tub]

[url="http://www.herculesstands.co.uk/products/85317"]Hercules Guitar Stands[/url] - I have the GS414B (bought from [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Hercules_Stands.html"]Bass Direct[/url] in Warwick) and it's a superb piece of kit.

[dostoyevsky]

[quote name='Hot Tub' post='718537' date='Jan 19 2010, 11:01 PM'][url="http://www.herculesstands.co.uk/products/85317"]Hercules Guitar Stands[/url] - I have the GS414B (bought from [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Hercules_Stands.html"]Bass Direct[/url] in Warwick) and it's a superb piece of kit.

[/quote]

Ok thanks, but should I go for their A frame or the larger one?

[spinynorman]

The advantage of the Hercules stands with the neck support is, when you put the guitar/bass in the stand the neck support locks round it, so it can't fall out, unless the whole stand gets knocked over. When you lift the guitar out of the stand, the support releases automatically. This is really great in gigs for quick, safe changes between songs. They also do multi-guitar hanging stands (see GS422B on the BassDirect link), which are particularly good for odd shaped bodies, like a Thunderbird, which would fall out of an A-frame stand.

Another thing to be aware of is some cheaper stands have foam padding which can react badly with, for example, Gibson Nitro finishes. It can literally leave a hole in the finish.

If all you're doing is storing basses at home, why not get a rack? for example

[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/13099"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/13099[/url]

[dostoyevsky]

[quote name='spinynorman' post='719092' date='Jan 20 2010, 03:04 PM']The advantage of the Hercules stands with the neck support is, when you put the guitar/bass in the stand the neck support locks round it, so it can't fall out, unless the whole stand gets knocked over. When you lift the guitar out of the stand, the support releases automatically. This is really great in gigs for quick, safe changes between songs. They also do multi-guitar hanging stands (see GS422B on the BassDirect link), which are particularly good for odd shaped bodies, like a Thunderbird, which would fall out of an A-frame stand.

Another thing to be aware of is some cheaper stands have foam padding which can react badly with, for example, Gibson Nitro finishes. It can literally leave a hole in the finish.

If all you're doing is storing basses at home, why not get a rack? for example

[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/13099"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/13099[/url][/quote]

Thanks for the great advice. I went for the hercules single stand... I'll probably need more in the future but if I bought a multi one and kept seeing the empty spaces everyday, it would tempt me to buy more basses to fill them! Thanks again

[Cat Burrito]

I have 3 Hercules A frame stands & they more than suit me

[Doddy]

I use Ultimate stands

[url="http://www.ultimatesupport.com/category/Guitar_Stands__Genesis_Series"]http://www.ultimatesupport.com/category/Gu..._Genesis_Series[/url]

I found the Hercules to be easily 'knock-over-able'. The Ultimates are sturdier.

[spinynorman]

How do the Ultimates work for closing and releasing the neck support? It looks like you have to do it manually, whereas the Hercules is automatic. Only time I've had stability problems with Hercules it was because the legs weren't fully open (I use the 2x hanging stand, though).

[Doddy]

The Ultimates that I use don't have an automatic yoke,but I've never had any problems
over the last 5 or 6 years.
My automatic grabbing Hercules broke after 6 months,and doesn't grab anymore.

[bigjohn]

I've got an "Ultimate" stand that looks like this...



It's nice - and very collapsible. But 1) it doesn't fit anywhere in my kit so it never taken out (so what's the point of it being collapsible?) and 2) it's a pain for basses (like my P/J) where the jack is on the side... you have to unplug em to stand em up.

I'd love an a-frame or similar that fits in the compartment inside a hiscox case.

I always end up soundchecking and then putting my bass back in it's case - which isn't really ideal for tuning...

[allighatt0r]

I have one of these in my bass case:


It's great for my Washburn, but useless for my Thunderbird. But my Washburn is the main gigger at the moment

Surprisingly stable, but probably quite easily knocked over. I always keep my basses WELL out of harms way (behind my amp usually!) so the general drunken public can't get near the thing.

[Prosebass]

I'm contemplating getting a Zimmer Frame

[essexbasscat]

I've used a catch- o-matic over the last 15 yrs with no problems at all. Grips the guitar when you put it in and has a four prong base to prevent it falling over.

If I lost mine, I would search the planet for a new one. Never come across a better solution to date. Without exceptions.

Used to get them from the bass centre at Wapping. Not sure where now.

T

[gafbass02]

For gigging I a huge fan of the markbass ones that Velcro to the side of my cabs. Discrete, safe, handy and stable and cheap!