Mandolin Stand

[DHopkins]

I'm lookin' for a different stand to hold the mandolin on stage. I've been through a half a dozen or so but I'm not real happy with any of them.

I need something that easily folded up or collapsed for storage and transport between gigs. Most of the ones I've seen are too light and the mando easily tips them over because there's virtually no weight in the base. It's got to have enough covering or padding to protect the instrument. Within reason, money is not a problem but I don't want it diamond encrusted and solid gold. I'm more interested in function than looks.

Any ideas?

[randygwatkins]

I'm lookin' for a different stand to hold the mandolin on stage. I've been through a half a dozen or so but I'm not real happy with any of them.

I need something that easily folded up or collapsed for storage and transport between gigs. Most of the ones I've seen are too light and the mando easily tips them over because there's virtually no weight in the base. It's got to have enough covering or padding to protect the instrument. Within reason, money is not a problem but I don't want it diamond encrusted and solid gold. I'm more interested in function than looks.

Any ideas?

I really like the Ingles stand, it's solid and stable, folds nicely and locks the instrument in well...here's one place to get it for a reasonable price:

http://www.amazon.com/Ingles-Adjustable-Violin-Viola-Stand/dp/B0009RHAT8

[Chunky But Funky]

This Ingles Violin has been discussed / recommended here in the past. I chose another option (hoping for better "knock-over" protection) utilizing the clamp on style String Swing holder with weighted base mic stands.

http://elderly.com/search/elderly?terms=ingles+violin&x=0&y=0

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/CC04UK.htm

Hope it helps!

Doug

[GreenMTBoy]

I like the Hercules Guitar stands,they make a Violin /Mandolin stand
http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-DS571BB-Travlite-Violin-VIOLA/dp/B0035FZMTQ
Have you looked at them ?
Tom

[dhbailey]

I've got the Peak ST-30 which I like a lot. It's very stable, folds up very compact, comes with a carrying bag. What I like is that the supports the mandolin rests on are adjustable, so I was able to make one a bit wider and one a bit narrower to accommodate my Epiphone mandolin with arm-rest and tone-gard.

I like it so much I'm going to buy the violin version so that I can keep my fiddle handy since my mandolin work has renewed my interest in fiddle also.

[Larry S Sherman]

I like the Hercules guitar stands (work fine for my mandolins) and the Ingles is also really good.

I'm going to try Cooperstands (http://www.cooperstand.com/).

Larry

[Tim2723]

A vote for the Hamilton KB-30. It folds up as compactly as any stand can while still being solid and stable. Usually solid and stable are the antithesis of light and portable, but the KB-30 is conveniently portable yet surprisingly stable.

[JeffD]

I really like the Proline Fretrest (http://www.guitarcenter.com/FretRest-by-Proline-FRMS1-Mandolin-Uke-Stand-106073083-i1562066.gc),

The three legs spread pretty wide so its very stable, and the instrument is hanging from the neck, not cradled from the bottom, so it can't be easily tipped out or over. The lower "T" bar is a padded bump rest, it carries no weight but stabilizes any swinging.

All in all a very simple, very effective design.

[Jim Garber]

One of these days I will buy one of these Cooperstands (http://www.cooperstand.com/buypro-mini.html). I like the compactness and the way it folds up. It seems to be pretty stable. I have a friend who has one.

I dunno: those metal stands make me nervous. I am always afraid they will tip over. Then again: when at a break at a gig, I always put my instruments away in their cases. I am just pretty paranoid.

[EdSherry]

Another vote for the Hamilton KB-30.

[Jim Garber]

I'm going to try Cooperstands (http://www.cooperstand.com/).


Elderly (http://elderly.com/accessories/items/COOP-MINI.htm) has them probably for the best price. Right now they also have 10% off for them and buy a set of strings or so and you get free shipping.

[wsugai]

Do you mean the KB-38? There is no KB-30 showing on the Hamilton website. I own several KB-38 stands and the best thing about them is the weight and stability -- hard to tip them over.


A vote for the Hamilton KB-30. It folds up as compactly as any stand can while still being solid and stable. Usually solid and stable are the antithesis of light and portable, but the KB-30 is conveniently portable yet surprisingly stable.

[bohemianbiker]

I have the Ingles, and like it a lot. bb

[DHopkins]

Thanks everyone and I appreciate the links to make it easier to find and look at them. I've got a wide choice and I appreciate it.

[mtucker]

I'm lookin' for a different stand to hold the mandolin on stage. I'm more interested in function than looks.
Any ideas?
I like The ingles for a stage stand or better yet, a heavier duty all-purpose one.

BTW, the Cooperstand, would definitely not be the one for stage, un-steady and balance problems, on a table top it is okay, the mandolin is somewhat top heavy in it. It folds and looks kool though...

[Tim2723]

Do you mean the KB-38? There is no KB-30 showing on the Hamilton website. I own several KB-38 stands and the best thing about them is the weight and stability -- hard to tip them over.

Yes, thanks for the correction. The KB-38 it is. I'm, sure Ed meant that too and was just mislead by my typo. Great stands.

[Ray(T)]

I use the Hercules tripple stand - http://www.herculesstands.com/guitars/GS432B.html

It has sufficient adjustment to be able to support a couple of mandolins and a drednought sized guitar at the same time and they make much the same thing capable of taking one, two and six instruments. The only improvement I would like is to be able to swivel the thing round when changeing instruments.

[Jim Garber]

I like The ingles for a stage stand or better yet, a heavier duty all-purpose one.

BTW, the Cooperstand, would definitely not be the one for stage, un-steady and balance problems, on a table top it is okay, the mandolin is somewhat top heavy in it. It folds and looks kool though...

I do see your point. For most of the gigs I do these days, I play one instrument. On breaks I put it in the case. If I were on stage and switching, like I used to do many years ago. I might want a solid sturdy stand like the Ingles. Then again I think I still would be nervous that someone could knock it over. I think in the old days I would put my guitar and mandocello on a guitar stand but keep the mandolin and fiddle in its case.

BTW I talked myself into buying the Cooperstand. I always wanted one and with the Elderly's low price plus the 10% off, it was time.

[Polecat]

I use the hercules GS402 (http://www.herculesstands.com/guitars/GS402BB.html) for gigs. It's designed for electric guitars/basses with a longer neck and higher centre of gravity than a mandolin, and feels about as safe as any other, plus it packs up really small. No matter what stand you choose to use, you are always taking a risk, and putting your instrument back in the case is obviously the safest option; in my opinion, however, a stage with nothing on it but amps and PA creates a different vibe than if there are instruments standing on it waiting for the players, and that can be important. In a bar or cafe, the mandolin goes in its case between sets.

[Jon Hall]

I have two Hercules guitar stands: one is a single that I use in my teaching room for both mandolin and guitar and a three instrument stand I use on stage. They are very stable and with the locking saddle the instrument won't fall from the stand unless the stand is knocked over.

[mandroid]

there are clamp on violin holders if you use a Mic on a stand , maybe they would be useful
to attach to them ..

Up Higher ..

[mandroid]

One of these days I will buy one of these Cooperstands (http://www.cooperstand.com/buypro-mini.html). I like the compactness and the way it folds up. It seems to be pretty stable. I have a friend who has one.

I dunno: those metal stands make me nervous. I am always afraid they will tip over. Then again: when at a break at a gig, I always put my instruments away in their cases. I am just pretty paranoid.

one of those on a table top perhaps .. the low stand on the floor getting kicked

by someone not watching where they are going is a thing that gives me 'the willies'

but I like the fold into itself feature of the design ...

reminded of the Transformers 3rd movie, being seen on cable TV now ..


looking around the site there is a glow in the dark plastic one , of note..

http://www.cooperstand.com/buyproglow.html

[Andy Alexander]

I think the Ingles stands are great. They work for fiddle, mandolin, and a resonator banjo fits perfectly in them. On stage the swing strings on a stable mic stand are best if you are going to be changing instruments. By hanging the instruments higher, you don't have to bend over to change instruments. My son often performs with both fiddle and mandolin on the same song. He can switch instruments and still keep his mouth on the mic.

[Jim Garber]

I don't even know why I wanted one of those Cooperstands -- I guess I, too, like the Transformer-like contraption, but I agree that it prob isn't too practical for a gig situation unless there was a shelf or table out of the way of traffic.

[Timbofood]

I'm a back in the case guy too. I am lazy about having too much stuff on stage and carrying too much in and out, possibility of forgetting things becomes too easy.

[eastman_315]

I use a Hercules GS 303B TraveLite Folk A-Frame Stand:

http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-GS303B-FOLK-INST-Stand/dp/B001V7M7RK/ref=sr_1_7?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1395503117&sr=1-7&keywords=mandolin+stands

117120
Not a great picture of the stand, but here is mine holding an Eastman MD-315.

Its very solid, really not light weight, at all, and it folds nicely for travel. I bought mine at TMS but it looks like they don't stock them any more. Well padded & adjustable to any mando.

Frank

[djeffcoat]

I bought this after seeing Ricky Scaggs use them. Adjusts for guitar or mandolin. Hamilton KB-38.

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Hanging-Guitar-Stand-Black/dp/B001L8IJDU/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1395608241&sr=1-2&keywords=kb-38

[Phil Goodson]

[QUOTE=djeffcoat;1271439]I bought this after seeing Ricky Scaggs use them. Adjusts for guitar or mandolin. Hamilton KB-38.

I've got 4 of them. Used them for 25 years. Work great!

[wsugai]

I should add that I own and use several stands. In general, if my mando is resting on a table top, then I use a small violin/mandolin standing-upright type of stand because they are compact and the chances of the mando getting kicked over is very low. If I'm on stage, where chaos generally rules during performance, then I use the hanging KB-38.

[mandroid]

carrying too much in and out, possibility of forgetting things becomes too easy.

have returned the folding stand (Fender) to my friend after forgotten at a Jam , more than Once.

[kkmm]

I'm a back in the case guy too
Me too. I do not trust people (in the band) walking around my tiny instrument. They already have a hard time avoiding the cables.

[dhbailey]

Speaking with my woodwind/brass repair technician's hat on -- instrument stands are one of my best friends. ;-) I can't tell you how many repairs I have to make on instruments which were on stands on a gig and which got knocked over.

Seriously, though, I think the use of an instrument stand would depend on the type of gig and the crowded nature of the performing space. Sometimes you have no choice but to use a stand since you play one instrument in one song (or sometimes on one chorus) and then have to change instruments quickly for the next song (or chorus) and there just isn't time to put the instrument back in the case.

But if you're only using one instrument on a particular gig, there's no reason for a stand. The safest place for instruments, as I tell my students and most of my repair clients, is in your hands or in the case with the case latched! I can't tell you how many instrument repairs I've had to make on instruments which were safely in the case but the owner had forgotten to latch the case immediately and then when they went to grab the case they had forgotten that they hadn't latched it and the instrument went flying.

[pheffernan]

I can't tell you how many instrument repairs I've had to make on instruments which were safely in the case but the owner had forgotten to latch the case immediately and then when they went to grab the case they had forgotten that they hadn't latched it and the instrument went flying.

That's exactly what happened with my Redline Traveler, albeit with a gig bag unzipped. :( It has just returned from the repairman, where the top crack was glued, reinforced, and sprayed with another coat of nitrocellulose lacquer. I won't be making that mistake again.

[Larry S Sherman]

I don't even know why I wanted one of those Cooperstands -- I guess I, too, like the Transformer-like contraption, but I agree that it prob isn't too practical for a gig situation unless there was a shelf or table out of the way of traffic.

The Cooperstands are perfect for safe situations such as in a display case. Very low-profile, elegant, and ingeniously designed. I got mine last week.

Larry

[Jim Garber]

I got mine a few days ago and followed the directions(!) on how to open it. It is amazingly small but I would not use it at a gig unless there was an out-of-the-way table or shelf to put it on. Very elegant but when I start playing more than one instruments at a gig, I will always put it back in the case with the latches closed (BITCWTLC). :)

[jimando]

another vote for Hamilton KB-38, been using one about 15 years, no thought of wanting something different or better

[Barry Wilson]

I use a yorkville triple as I always have more than just my mando along
http://www.long-mcquade.com/products/4115/Guitars/Accessories/Yorkville_Sound/Triple_Guitar_Stand_with_Guards_in_Black.htm

[DHopkins]

I settled on the Proline Fretrest. I got it from Amazon at a decent price. (No stores in this area carry suitable stands nor were they really crazy about ordering one.) It has arrived and I think I made a good deal. It's designed so that I can let it rest on the fold-down arm or I can hang it so that it leans against the partially folded down arm. It's stable and collapsible for easy transport. I'd give it a 10 out of 10 in terms quality, usability and price.

[JaminTravis]

I got a Hercules Electric Guitar stand a while back when it was Musician's Friend's "Stupid Deal of the Day" for like 12 bucks or something. I ended up selling my strat shortly after that, and I just kept the stand folded up in my closet, waiting for it to be needed. When I got my first mandolin in January, I found that it actually works quite nicely. I think they make one specifically for mandolin, too.

[Steve G]

I use K & M stands for both mandolin and guitar. They fold up nice and have good finish protection. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/km-heli-acoustic-guitar-cello-and-french-horn-a-frame-stand

[Ben Cooper]

I use a Hercules GS 303B TraveLite Folk A-Frame Stand:

http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-GS303B-FOLK-INST-Stand/dp/B001V7M7RK/ref=sr_1_7?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1395503117&sr=1-7&keywords=mandolin+stands

117120

Not a great picture of the stand, but here is mine holding an Eastman MD-315.

Its very solid, really not light weight, at all, and it folds nicely for travel. I bought mine at TMS but it looks like they don't stock them any more. Well padded & adjustable to any mando.

Frank

Yup, thats the one I have. I really like it! Of course I put my instrument in the case when taking breaks.

[John Flynn]

I use K & M stands for both mandolin and guitar. They fold up nice and have good finish protection. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/km-heli-acoustic-guitar-cello-and-french-horn-a-frame-stand
I like K&M also. I have used the stand you linked for my octave for years. I just bought their similar looking, but smaller, violin stand for my regular mandolin. It is definitely a step up from the Meisel I was using.

http://www.amazon.com/15520-Violin-Viola-Stand-Cork/dp/B0045B5TCY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1397385438&sr=8-8&keywords=k%26m+violin+stand

[allenhopkins]

...I put my instrument in the case when taking breaks.

I tried doing that when taking my break in Cumberland Gap, but the mandolin sounded muffled, and I had a hard time fretting it out of first position.

Now I only put it in the case when I'm not playing it.

Or did I misunderstand…?

[Tim2723]

Oh, Allen. :whistling: