Best mandolin stand for the money

[ptmurphy]

I'm sure this has been discussed at some point, but I didn't see anything recent in a quick search. I'm thinking about upgrading my mandolin stand if I can find a suitable one that doesn't cost a fortune. What is the best stand for the money that an F-style will fit snugly on? I don't need it to be portable, just sturdy and with a low center of gravity.

My current one is a standard cheap tripod that was meant for a guitar but that I cut down to fit a mandolin. And yes, I'm aware of the risks of leaving a mandolin out of the case, but I assume those risks, at least until I have children who are mobile.

Thanks.

[Dave Hanson]

Konig and Meyer, good stands not very expensive.

Dave H

[Michael Wolf]

I´d also say K&M. This is my favorite stand: http://produkte.k-m.de/en/product?info=1235
This can take either Mandolin or Banjo or Guitar without further adjustment. So I always take only this one to the session.
It´s not expensive and it´s made in Germany, whereas the more complicated ones are made in China, if that makes a difference for you.

[John Flynn]

I seem to have SAS (Stand Acquisition Syndrome). I have bought about every kind of stand on the market. I play out every week and our group is in a cramped situation with people moving around, so I am always worried about my stands getting knocked over. I had a mandolin teacher once whose F-style headstock was broken off, on two different occasions, by someone knocking it off the stand on to a hard floor. I own two of the K&Ms, a violin/mandolin/uke model and the full-size model. Both are great, but I wouldn't recommend them for your situation.

In a situation where people might knock into the stand, I have come to not trust stands that don't support the head stock. For a situation like that, I would actually prefer a cut-down guitar stand like you have, which I used to use also back in the day. Somewhat better is a Meisel violin/uke stand, which they no longer make, but can be found on EBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3115417...chn=ps&lpid=82

My favorite for security, though, are the Hercules stands. I have their double guitar stand, that accommodates both my mandolin and OM, linked below:
http://www.herculesstands.com/guitars/GS422B.html
I like that the tripod is really substantial and the hangars "grip" the headstock. It would be hard to knock over or knock the instruments out of it. For single mandolin, I would look at the violin/viola model:
http://www.herculesstands.com/string/DS571BB.html
Or one of the single guitar models, if it will adjust down to accommodate a mandolin.
http://www.herculesstands.com/guitars/GS414B.html
Another thought I recommend is to get a wall hanger:
http://www.herculesstands.com/guitars/GSP38WB.html

[Mark Wilson]

Or one of the single guitar models, if it will adjust down to accommodate a mandolin.
http://www.herculesstands.com/guitars/GS414B.html
l]

I have two of these for guitars and they adjust down to mandolin very nice. I like the resting arm option tho - so the mandolin/guitar can't swing back and bump the metal standhttp://www.herculesstands.com/guitars/GS412B.html

[nickster60]

I have a Hercules also and use it for Bass,Guitar and Mandolin.

[UsuallyPickin]

This is a violin / mandolin stand . It is well made with solid materials and folds to a "packable" size and shape. R/

http://gregboyd.com/images/accessory...olaStand_1.jpg

[Russ Donahue]

I am also a fan of the K&M stand. First saw them at Bernunzios in Rochester, bought one and now have a handful around the house for when I want to put an instrument down and avoid the dreaded "couch crush."

[spufman]

I have Hercules and Ultimate stands. In my experience, the best bet is an Ultimate GS100 cut down about 4.5 inches. Still gets tall enough for guitar if needed, but not bass. Super sturdy for mandolin, plus it folds and transports easily when needed.

[djeffcoat]

Hercules violin stand works well for mandolins.

http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-DS571...s+violin+stand

[Stevo75]

I also like the Hurcules stand for mandolin

[MikeEdgerton]

My favorite is the Ingles violin stand. I don't raise the bow hook.

[MikeEdgerton]

This is a violin / mandolin stand . It is well made with solid materials and folds to a "packable" size and shape. R/

http://gregboyd.com/images/accessory...olaStand_1.jpg

That is the Ingles stand.

[MikeEdgerton]

Some past stand threads:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...andolin-stands

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...mandolin-stand

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...andolin-Stands

[jmagill]

If you want something pretty or elaborate, there are plenty of options, but if you want something tough and road-worthy that folds up compactly, it's tough to beat the Hamilton. I bought four of them 35 years ago when I was gigging full-time and I've still got 'em: they work great.

Mind you, one stand's rubber sleeve on the neck fork began to lose some chunks of rubber after the first 20 years, but I twisted it around so there was still good padding for the neck and it's all good.

[ptmurphy]

Thanks to everyone for the replies and links. I'm liking the looks and reviews on the Hercules and the Ingles stands. Going to give it more thought before I do anything. Still might just try building one myself.

[WW52]

All of the stands mentioned above will work well. I've got one of the a K&M models that I use for the mando occasionally and like it fine, but the stands I've primarily used at gigs for the past several decades is the Hamilton KB38 that jmagill mentioned. They're built solid --I use them for guitar, banjo and mandolin, and I've never had to replace one.

[nickster60]

I have both the Hercules and the Ingles prefer the Hurcules. The Ingles stand is a fine but it is very close to the floor and very easy to kick. Don't ask how I know this, it was a painful experience.

[Mickey King]

I love my Eddie Finn mando stand. The only problem is the foam padding at the top wears out quickly and has to be replaced with standard pile insulation available at hardware stores.

[bohemianbiker]

I have the Ingles stand, which I like a lot for my flatback, but not so much for the domra I'm borrowing (which is kinda like a bowl back mandolin). The body of the domra is too big to fit inside the curved prongs at the bottom of the stand. I'd like to find something like the Ingles (sturdy and with something that secures the neck), but which allows the bowl to fit inside the prongs.

The Hercules seems high to me. With the weight high like that, wouldn't it be easy to knock over? bb

[Dave Greenspoon]

I just picked up a Hamilton Grabbit for $12. Totally thrilled with it, and will likely grab another one soon for the study. I checked and saw that online they run less than $15. Totally adjustable height; set low Stealie sports a 14" scale and is comfortably secured at the right height. 3 pieces that needed no tools for easy assembly; nice wide base to the legs; strong and secure frame; great locking feature.

[eadg145]

Hercules violin stand works well for mandolins.

http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-DS571...s+violin+stand

I have the Hercules violin stand, and it it * almost * perfect. Very stable, folds small, and comes with a carry bag. However, I have found that the spacing for the locking hanger mechanism is ever-so-slightly too narrow. This makes it a two-handed operation requiring great care to operate, and as a result I never use it. I keep meaning to sell it, either here or locally. I'm sure a fiddler would be absolutely thrilled with it. But it's a no-go for mandolin.

[Ray(T)]

I've always been suspicious of stands upon which you "place" an instrument as a sideways swipe can knock them off. Consequently, I prefer the Hercules stands from which you "hang" an instrument and the weight of the instrument locks it on.

I have one of their tripple stands for use on stage and find that this can be adjusted to take a mandolin, an octave and a drednaught guitar at the same time.

[onassis]

I have the Hercules violin stand, and it it * almost * perfect. Very stable, folds small, and comes with a carry bag. However, I have found that the spacing for the locking hanger mechanism is ever-so-slightly too narrow. This makes it a two-handed operation requiring great care to operate, and as a result I never use it. I keep meaning to sell it, either here or locally. I'm sure a fiddler would be absolutely thrilled with it. But it's a no-go for mandolin.

This has been my experience with the Hercules violin stand. I've gotten to the point where I just don't trust stands anyway. If I'm not holding the mandolin, it's just as fast for me to stick it back in the case as it is to mess with a stand.

[Tobin]

My favorite is the Ingles violin stand. I don't raise the bow hook.

I use the Ingles stand too. The bow hook is useful for looping the strap over so it doesn't lay on the floor.

This stand does everything I need a stand to do. It holds the instrument securely while I'm not playing it, and is not at risk of tipping over. It keeps it low to the floor for stability. It will hold any of my mandolins or mandolas or fiddles and is easily folded up to store out of the way if I don't need it.