Another mandolin stand question

[Sue Rieter]

So I'm going to be involved in a performance where, in a medley of two pieces, I go from playing a djembe drum on one to mandolin on the other. I'll have about 4 bars of music to grab the mando and get ready to play, so I have to be able to grab it quickly whilst being very nervous about the whole performance . It's a smaller group that's part of a larger group, so we have to move to the front, so I can't really bring my case with me, plus the drum is bulky enough to shift.

I've decided I need a small folding stand for my mando. (I won't be using this at home due to cats.)

Anyway, last night I spent some time looking at old threads and stands and bookmarked half a dozen possibilities. Right now I am thinking about this Nordic Essentials stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R93D210...v_ov_lig_dp_it because I like the way it adjusts for different depths. (I tried my SOL with armrest in someone else's stand, and it didn't fit, it was too "thick" and wouldn't sit down on the legs. When I got my armrest, I had to go with a viola clamp, as the violin one was to small for my mandolin)

Here's my question: The listing cites "Silicone Rubber Pads for Instrument Protection". Do I need to worry about these damaging the finish of my instrument? That would be a knocker for this particular stand.

Thoughts?

[Mando Esq]

I’ve used a few different styles including the really small Fender micro acoustic stands and the Amazon Basics folding stands. They all work fine but have different levels of compactness v. stability.

My current favorite for travel use the Hercules EZ Pack folding stand.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ustic-electric

It’s very light and folds down small and flat. But it has good stability. The legs can be adjusted to be narrower for mandolins. The yellow tabs have light spring a fold down out of the way for wider instruments (or mandolins with tone-gards and arm rests.) it’s made out of a hard rubber. I haven’t had any finish damage or issues.

[gspiess]

I've had good luck with this budget model: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[NDO]

Sue, if space for transporting isn’t an overriding issue I find a hanging guitar stand (something like this https://www.musiciansfriend.com/acce...Guitar%20Stand) to be much more secure and stable, especially if there’s a cord plugged in the bottom of the instrument. I also like the fact that they adjust easily so a matching pair of stands lets me switch easily between the mandolin and an octave which I do frequently during a session. (Not brave enough to try it mid-song though!)

[MikeEdgerton]

I've been using an Ingles Violin stand for years. I like it because the instrument is locked into the stand and the pads are real rubber.

https://www.amazon.com/Ingles-Adjust...03024842&psc=1

To answer the question about the silicone rubber, only if you leave the instrument on the stand for extended periods of time like days in the heat.

[Beanzy]

Another vote for violin stand.

[Sue Rieter]

But, locked in the stand. Can one get it out of the stand and ready to play in four bars of music? (While having the anticipated bad stage fright)

No cord, btw, Don.

[MikeEdgerton]

But, locked in the stand. Can one get it out of the stand and ready to play in four bars of music? (While having the anticipated bad stage fright)

No cord, btw, Don.

You don't have to put the lock bar down if you're going to grab it suddenly.

Sure, the same hand you grab it with you slide up the bar with your thumb. What ever your comfortable with is best but as a guy that's seen a mandolin fall off a stand similar to yours and end up being kicked accidentally across a stage I'm particular.

[MikeEdgerton]

Let's talk about stage fright. You're not the first person to experience it and once you figure out that the people in the audience probably can't do what you are attempting to do and if you make a mistake the sun will still come up the next morning and your family will still love you you should be able to get past that. Good luck and remember, you're there to have fun so have fun.

I should also add that even if you live a long and fruitful life, and I hope you do, you will never catch up with me in the number of mistakes I've made on stage.

[Jim Garber]

I often play for dances and bring two fiddles (different tunings) and clamp the violin that I am not using onto a mic or sheet music stand. I find that better for me as long as the stand is stable and not to fall over. I fear that someone (or me) may kick over my unplayed instrument with a stand on the floor. I prefer something like this: https://www.amazon.com/String-Swing-.../dp/B005SUUSKE

I would never put my mandolin or fiddle on the floor: either hanging securely or in its case. Anyway, just my 2 cents.

[Doug Edwards]

[Steve Mead]

Sue, sounds like a fun project, best of luck to you. I have tried several stands including the hercules violin stand with the self locking feature but it did not work on my mandolins, most likely a difference between violin and mandolin headstock shapes. I finally settled on

http://herculesstands.com/internatio...ts/gs303b-(1)/

All of my mandolins fit in it, arm rest or not. BUT for this specific use the one Jim suggests that attaches to the music stand may be your best and most safe choice. Stages get busy and people get clumsy when nervous. I would want mine right in front of me where I can see it.

[Eric Platt]

Have been using these Cooper stands for a while. Can switch between regular mandolin, OM and even guitar. The wooden model is nice, but I take the ABS one when playing out.

https://www.amazon.com/Cooperstand-E...05FG34F2&psc=1

[Sue Rieter]

I'm going to have to ask the woman whose stand I tried if it is one of those violin ones. I think it was, as she is mainly a fiddler. The SOL would not sit down into the bracket at the bottom, as the body of the instrument was too deep (even without the armrest). Her mando was alot flatter than mine.

I looked a few that hang by the headstock but don't have a bracket at the bottom (the instrument just rests on the legs), but wasn't sure if it wouldn't be too wobbly, like a pendulum.

The one that clips to the stand sounds like a good idea except there won't be a stand. I think I'm just going to be playing backup, although there's an off chance I might be standing up to play a chorus with another (more experienced) mando player.

Some of those others that folks mentioned are also on my radar, thanks. I might have a chance to try a few out locally ahead of time.

Doug's is beautiful but doesn't look like it would be easy to schlep along with a big drum.

It's amazing how some things can be both super fun and super nerve wracking at the same time. Playing instruments in public and flying airplanes come to mind as examples

[UsuallyPickin]

Ingles for surety of materials and design. Cooper makes a good fold up stand but it does not latch. Sometimes you will want it to. R/

[keith.rogers]

I use this one at a local, small jam I go to. Works well enough, and folds up pretty well. It's actually deep enough for some parlor guitars, too!

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Proline...d-Mandolins.gc

[NDO]

Sue, mine just hang by the headstock as you described and I find them to be super secure. The only case where they’re not my favorite design is on an instrument that I mounted a D’Addario micro tuner that screws in to a tuning screw- it was still secure but I didn’t like the way it interfered with the hanger.

[Beanzy]

I looked a few that hang by the headstock but don't have a bracket at the bottom (the instrument just rests on the legs), but wasn't sure if it wouldn't be too wobbly, like a pendulum.

The one that clips to the stand sounds like a good idea except there won't be a stand. I think I'm just going to be playing backup, although there's an off chance I might be standing up to play a chorus with another (more experienced) mando player.

I've got a single and a double of the string swings & have used them for the mandolin & fiddle on my mic stand at gigs where instrument swaps were need between songs in sets. I don't feel comfortable doing that, even though we're a fairly disciplined bunch on stage. But they were the only practical solution for the stages where we were playing. I used lighting stand sandbags on the mic feet to help stop any keeling over if knocked
I don't like how the String Swing doesn't have any protection where the foam strips meet at the weld, so added self-amalgamating tape there, which dealt with that. I also hate how they allow the instrument to swing, especially on stage boards or raised blocks, so I put a BMX crossbar protection tube around the mic stand which meant they couldn't ding that. But overall I don't like having them where a knocked mic or music stand could cause the lot to go over. So they just get used when practicing at home now, apart from two summer stage gigs we do where we're completely in charge of the stages.

I try to use the Stagg fiddle stand if possible due to the stability & neck support and place it away from any other people or fall lines for music stands and guitars etc. But best for me is keeping them in the cases and have more time for instrument swaps.

[rickbella]

I've been using an Ingles Violin stand for years.

Me, too. They're secure, stable and adjustable.

[snakehead_a2z]

I’ve been using a fender mini guitar stand for my mandos. I had to remove and bend the cradle arms in toward the center, to support a mando. These are sturdy and inexpensive, and they pack in a very small space.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...set-mini-stand

[Berto Boy]

If I were ever to return to stage work with a mandolin, I would get a Hercules Uke stand that grabs the peghead. It's an easy one hand lift to pick up the instrument. Stands that only hold the instrument by the bottom of the body give me the heebee geebees, it's just too easy to knock the instrument off them. My flattop guitars are in the $3,000 to $5,000 range and Hercules is the only stand they'll ever be in.

[pops1]

The only time I will use an instrument stand is doing a concert in an opera house. Everywhere else it is in my case. When I do use one I use the Hercules. It is a guitar stand that works set to the lowest postion. I like the way it locks the headstock in place and only one hand to set and retrieve.

[NDO]

I played a show last night with my mandolin and octave so I hung both on hanging stands and switched about every third song or so. To minimize tangles I ran wireless on the mando and cabled on the octave. It worked really well.

[David Rambo]

Here's another vote for the Ingles Violin stand. I've used them for years, and so far, no issues.

[JeffD]

I'm going to have to ask the woman whose stand I tried if it is one of those violin ones. I think it was, as she is mainly a fiddler. The SOL would not sit down into the bracket at the bottom, as the body of the instrument was too deep (even without the armrest). Her mando was alot flatter than mine.

I looked a few that hang by the headstock but don't have a bracket at the bottom (the instrument just rests on the legs), but wasn't sure if it wouldn't be too wobbly, like a pendulum.

The one that clips to the stand sounds like a good idea except there won't be a stand. I think I'm just going to be playing backup, although there's an off chance I might be standing up to play a chorus with another (more experienced) mando player.

Some of those others that folks mentioned are also on my radar, thanks. I might have a chance to try a few out locally ahead of time.

Doug's is beautiful but doesn't look like it would be easy to schlep along with a big drum.

It's amazing how some things can be both super fun and super nerve wracking at the same time. Playing instruments in public and flying airplanes come to mind as examples

I have that Ingles and what you mention is the only only complaint I have with it. With my mandolin in there, the stand is a little top heavy, and in a crowded stage (mandolin orchestra situation) it is vulnerable to being bumped over. It has happened to me a couple of times. No damage (thank heavens) but twice more than I would ever want it to happen.

I have not tried those low riding grippy stands like you linked, so I don't know how bump vulnerable they are. I would assume, based on nothing at all, they are more stable.