How To Set Up A Guitar Stand

In the start, we all make the same mistake…

You assume that all guitar stands are the same.  So you buy the start one you run into.

Or worse still, yous store effectually, and buy the cheapest one you can detect.

And virtually every one of u.s.a. has at least one guitar bearing a scar from that mistake.

Because as we all discover eventually…a expert guitar stand is one of the wisest investments you lot tin brand.

Not only does it go along your guitar safe from impairment…

It also keeps that expensive condenser mic, and any other nearby equipment safe also.

The only problem is…when shopping for a stand up, information technology'southward not always obvious how to split the good ones from the bad.

So for today'south post, I'll explicate all the central differences in this comprehensive guide comparing the seven well-nigh popular types of guitar stands .

Permit'south begin.  Beginning upwardly…

1. A-Frame Stands

The simplest and cheapest of all floor stands…

A-Frame stands often get a bad rap because they appear unstable at get-go glance.

Simply in reality…

They're far more than stable than they expect, and they're a corking mode to store your guitar, peculiarly in areas with limited infinite.

The greatest advantage of this design is:

When fully collapsed, they're often small enough to exist packed away in your guitar bag.  And this portability makes them ideal for gigging, or whatever kind of travel.

The biggest flaw with this pattern is:

If your guitar gets bumped, it will probable fall over, as in that location is no neck cradle to secure information technology.  Therefore, I do not recommend A-frame stands for typical abode use, especially if you lot accept pets or kids.

However…if it's for your individual "man cave" though…it will probably work only fine.

Here are the top models I recommend:

• Musician's Gear A-Frame – (Amazon)
• Fender Mini Acoustic – (Amazon)
• On Stage Flip-It – (Amazon/B&H)b

Upwards next….

2. Tubular Stands

Normally known as tripod stands…

Tubular stands are somehow the nearly popular, ANDmost hated of all designs.

They're popular, mainly considering they're cheap and piece of workacceptably in a wide-variety of situations.

For beginners, they're the " default first stand " that most sources recommend.

Compared to A-frame stands, they take an added cervix cradle, which provides better stability (co-ordinate to some).

The merchandise-off is that they're not nearly as portable, and crave some degree of assembly.

Now here'southward why some people (myself included) dislike them:

Cheaper tubular stands tin can be awkward and unstable, easily tripped-over, and most people who own one have had their share of accidents over the years.

And so I suppose…the only existent way to know if y'all like them, is to endeavour 1 out for yourself.

Here are top ii models I recommend:

• On stage XCG4 – (Amazon/B&H)
• Musicians Gear Tubular – (Amazon)

Upwardly adjacent….

3. Wall Hanging Stands

If the majority of your guitar playing is confined to one small room…

Like your music room, living room, or bedroom…

Y'all might find a wall-hanging stand up to be your ideal pick.

And hither's why:

1. It doesn't waste matter floor space – because its mounted on the wall, where actress infinite is plentiful.
2. Information technology keeps your guitar safe from danger – considering information technology stays clear of pes traffic, pets, and children.
3. Information technology looks cool – considering it adds a decorative (and functional) piece of art to your otherwise boring room.

Of course, wall-hanging stands have their flaws also…

• Setup can be tricky – because improper mounting tin event in a weak connection, which could eventually cause your guitar to autumn off the wall.
• Warping and cracking are a hazard  – because close-proximity to the wall increases temperature and humidity fluctuations in seasonal climates.
• Wall collisions are a chance  –  because some guitars will swing freely when used with certain neck cradles.  (you lot tin can avert this run a risk by using a wall bumper.)

Also…if yous're using these stands in a recording studio, beware that a complimentary-floating acoustic guitar may easily absorb sympathetic vibrations and add unwanted resonances to the room.

Ultimately though…if none of these potential issues are an issue in your case, a wall-hanging stand up may be exactly what you're looking for.

Here are the top models I recommend:

• String Swing Wood – (Amazon/B&H)
• Pinnacle Phase Wood – (Amazon)
• Top Stage Adjustable – (Amazon)

Upwards next….

4. Premium Stands

According to many sources, Hercules and Ultimate are the two best guitar stand manufacturers…period.

And while they aren't an official "category" of guitar stands…

Their line-up of "premium" stands are undoubtedly the best that money can buy.

Despite beingness much larger than an A-frame stand, they're able to fold-up just as easily and meaty.

Rather than using the traditional ii-pronged cradle of a tripod stand…

They instead back up the weight of the guitar with a cervix cradle similar to that of a wall-hanging stand. And the lower body rests up confronting the padding on the front legs.

In virtually every regard, this is the best design past far for BOTH stage and studio.  So if yous have the money to spend, information technology's an obvious pick.

The top two models I recommend are:

• Hercules GS415B – (Amazon/B&H/Thomann)
• Ultimate GS100 – (Amazon)

Up next…

 5. Multi-Guitar Stands

If you own more than one guitar…

You lot'll probably find a multi-guitar stand up  to be more practical than many individual ones.

The obvious advantage here is that information technology saves yous a ton of floor space by condensing more guitars into a smaller area.

This could be particularly useful for smaller practice rooms and tight stage setups.

Nevertheless… some people (including myself) don't care for this style of stand, because information technology's bad-mannered to take hold of the rear guitar, peculiarly if it's positioned up against a wall, or worse withal, in the corner of the room.

That existence said, many other players dear this design, so if seems like a adept fit for y'all, here are the models I recommend:

• Musician's Gear Triple – (Amazon)
• OnStage Double – (Amazon/B&H)
• OnStage Triple Hang-It – (Amazon/B&H)
• Hercules GS432B – (Amazon/B&H)

Upward next….

6. Guitar Racks

The "other" selection for storing multiple guitars at once is to employ a guitar rack instead.

Near people adopt this design over multi-guitar stands because:

• it'south more portable – it'southward easier to setup, break downward, and tin be easily folded-up/packed abroad.
• it'due south more than efficient – information technology can hold more guitars (ranging between 3-ten) within a smaller floor space.

These racks work especially well in the following situations:

• on tours with bands that have lots of gear.
• for long-term storage of guitars in their cases.
• in small home studios curt on floor infinite.

Of class, they aren't without their flaws besides…

One thing I dislike about the rack design is that the guitars have a tendency to bump-up against each other if not carefully positioned.

This is specially dangerous when placing a solid-body electric next to your delicate $2000 Martin audio-visual.  Ane solid whack can easily practice major harm.

As well, the padding for these racks are ofttimes fragile, and frequently has some degree of damage, even when brand-new.

And so they're non perfect, but they're still your all-time option in many cases.

Hither are the top models I recommend:

• Hercules GS525B – (Amazon/B&H/Thomann)
• Solid Tech 7 – (Amazon)
• Fender 5 – (Amazon)

And finally…

7.  Walk-Up Stands

The most unique of all guitar stand designs…

The walk-up stand , is a device designed to hold your guitar, non for storage , but for bodily playing .

It's entirely possible you lot could've been playing guitar for decades, and never known that such a thing existed…until at present .

In a alive performance, when a guitar player might switch from one musical instrument to some other in mid-song…

A walk-up stand such as the K&M Performer allows him to practise so instantly, only by "walking upwardly" to it.

As you lot tin can run across, the stand holds the guitar at aheight and angle mimicking the location where you'd hold it against your body.

Genius, huh?

A Final Word of Caution…

A common warning yous hear from guitar geeks on forums, etc…is that you should be careful when using your stand up with a guitar that has a nitrocellulose lacquer finish…

Because contact withplastic and metal will cause the end to wear away over time (wood or fabric is safe).

For the average guitar player who knows nothing nearly finishes, this warning tin be scary, especially if you're unsure about your own guitar.

And then hither's what you should know:

Guitar finishes are typically either nitrocellulose , or polymer-based .

• Nitrocellulose, with its lighter, more natural end, and pleasant olfactory property, is commonly establish on vintage or custom-built guitars.
• Polymer-based finishes with its thicker, glass-like coating, is the standard lacquer used on almost all of today'south factory-built guitars.

Since polymer-based finishes are safe to use with whatsoever guitar stand up…

You most likely shouldn't worry.  But if you're unsure, it might exist a skilful idea to double-check with someone who really knows their stuff.

Source: https://ehomerecordingstudio.com/best-guitar-stands/

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