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This may be less technical topic but I am looking for sturdy, stable, collapsible music stand with deep shelf so it can hold thick binder (I still use old technology on top of iReal Pro). And if possible with roomy gig bag so it is easy to move around and you can carry your binders in that bag.
Any suggestions?
Oh - almost forgot and a matching bright stand light - I bought a clip on with two prongs but after a year or so it started being so dim it was waste of $$.
TIA.
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09-15-2015 10:43 PM
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I've been using a Peterson folding stand for 14 years. I can give you a long list of negatives:
It's fiddly to set up and take down. This probably adds two minutes to my routine.
It has no provision to hold music in place.
The desk that folds to become the case is plastic and can break. Same with the strip that forms the shelf. Mine fell over once and broke one of the tiny tabs that hold the pull-out wire extensions.
The desk has sharp edges, which, while plastic, can put a wicked ding in the face of a guitar. Don't ask how I know that. OTOH, a Manhasset can slice your guitar in two.
Nothing locks together--if you don't insert the legs firmly they can fall out easily. If you pick it up by the top it might fall apart anyway. When assembled it's less stable than a Manhasset.
It has many parts, which can be lost. I once lost one of the rubber feet; Peterson sent replacements no charge. When I lost another one, they sent a complete set of legs.
The desk is smaller than a Manhasset's, as is the shelf. This can be a problem with large sheets or thick books, although I've used a full 3" loose leaf on mine and survived.
The edges of the desk are thicker than on most stands. Can be a problem with some lights or clothespins. I use a Mighty Bright Duet without problems.
The locking knobs on the desk can get overtightened and hard to release. A rubber band is handy if this happens. Otherwise, I ask the drummer to loosen it.
If you have to adjust the height it takes two hands.
On the good side, it's small and light. Fits in my gig bag so I don't need two trips to get my stuff in and out. The side pull-outs are useful for charts with more than two pages. It's adequately sturdy and stable if properly assembled and tightened. I have used mine more than 3000 times and it's still working fine, although the pull-out with the broken tab wobbles a bit. I like it enough that if needed replacing every year I would do it.
Living in the Desert Southwest I get plenty of opportunities to test wind stability, since we do many outdoor gigs. I sometimes have to rest a foot on one of the legs to keep it from wobbling around, but I haven't lost it yet. On one especially windy gig I borrowed a spare Manhasset from the leader's van. Five minutes after we started playing the stand flew out from under our tent and landed about 15 feet away. I'm not sure how the Peterson would have done under those conditions.
A couple of photos of it in action:
I also own a Peak Portable Music Stand. It's much more stable and sturdy than the Peterson. Bigger shelf--holds large books well. It does have plastic parts and I'm not sure how well it would hold up on gigs, but if the Peterson didn't exist, I'd be happy to use it. Not as small or light though. I use it in the house and love it.
Danny W.
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Danny - thank you VERY much for extensive review and for sharing your experience. I am just starting to play out - going to jams and later this year our quartet (with occasional keys) will do our first gigs. I recently bought a small foldable cart (Cosco brand) that allows me to move guitar, amp, pedal board, cable/accessories bag and music bag without any problems (although I would not recommend it if your have to cross unpaved surface). Now I am looking for sturdy stand - the one that I have at home is good but too heavy and takes too much time to set right.
I was looking at Peak SMS series (one with foldable desk) - sax player at the jam last night had one and seemed satisfied - but he had all his music on iPad. Not sure how well it would do with heavy binders. I also use Samsung tablet as backup (if somebody calls odd key etc) but the screen is not nearly big enough for me - maybe that latest Apple iPad would do the trick. I will check out Patterson.
Great pictures!
Cheers,
JT
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K&M folding music stand. Everything is hinged, nothing comes apart, pretty sturdy. Not Manhasset sturdy but if you load a heavy book on it, the desk isn't going to gradually sink down like some Manhasset's I've used. This one:
K&M Heavy Duty Music Stand Black | Musician's Friend
Folds up nice and small and comes with a canvas sleeve carrying bag. I've had mine for about 6 years; some of the joints of the desk have gotten a little loose but it still works just fine. I like the adjustable angle of the desk and I can raise it high enough to read my iPad on stage (I am 6'3").
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Of all the music stands I've used over the years the RAT 'Jazz Stand' has been the best. It's a very well engineered high quality product. Compact and lightweight, very sturdy and stable on any indoor or outdoor stage setting. I've placed my largest fake books on it with no problems. Folds perfectly flat into it's gig bag. They're made in the UK and sold through exclusive dealers worldwide. Only downside is that they a bit more expensive than the Manhasset or Hamilton stands
http://www.ratstands.com/all-stands/the-jazz-stand/
~Eddie
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The Rat Jazz stand looks pretty sweet!
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The one somebody else brings that I can use,lol!
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Manhassett Voyager, Concertina size for me.
- manhassett stable
- folding tripod legs, removable shelf
- concertina size is shorter than normal, so it's better positioned for playing seated
- they make a gig bag for it:
- you can get an add on for a small accessory shelf:
- you can get add on "wings" for large charts:
But that's only when I'm a sideman, which is pretty rare, unfortunately.
But most of the time, since it's usually my band, we have Embee Ideas Poly Band fronts:
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Yikes, nearly $200?
Originally Posted by EddieLastra
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I'm a big fan of K&M stands in general (always my 1st choice in mic stands), and their heavy duty fold-up music stand is no exception.
Very robust, lightweight, compact when folded, unobtrusive on stage. I still have a copy of The Real Book from the 70s - in a 3 ring binder - which I plopped down on this stand recently. No problem...
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Carvin also makes nice stands. I have one....very sturdy with wide tilt-back shelf...telescoping legs, and several different tilt adjustments. Have had it for years, and don't remember what I paid but I seem to remember it was cheaper and better than the Manhassets which I also looked at.
Doesn't have a built-in light, but I'm sure you could find something suitable to clip on.
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I was unfamiliar with that one. Looks pretty sweet. Originally Posted by EddieLastra
I have a ProLine stand, which has served me well for several years nos.
ProLine GMS80A Conductor Sheet Music Stand | Musician's Friend
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Hi guys,
Always great to hear people compliment our Jazz Stand. Full information on the product can be found here: The Jazz Stand ~ RATstands. I use one personally and it saves so much hassle. When you're finished you just fold it up and away you go
I'd love to answer any questions about the stand if you have any...
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It is a nice looking stand. But I have to say price tag is HEFTY.... $140 USD?
And what about the telescopic friction joints - if you put RealBook or 2 on desk -
wouldn't the joint just give in and the whole think fold on you?
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I did some gigs last summer with a Portland-based guitarist/luthier. He had a RAT stand, I was impressed with the design. I forget what exactly he did, but he had it slightly modded so the desk couldn't tip all the way back under a heavy binder or fake book's weight. Most of the reading gigs I do are at venues that have their own stands, but it's on my list to eventually pick one up. I was in Germany recently, I ran across some folding wire stands similar to the old Hamilton, but heavier and sturdier. My luggage was too overweight to entertain bringing one home, but I wish I found out the make and model for future reference.
PK
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Without question my favourite guitar stand is back in the case lid closed.
If gigging with 2 guitars and have to change over guitars, same guitar stand, back in the case. I make sure that either the set is right (that is don't end a song with guitar change start next song with guitar) for the change over or that someone in the band knows they have to fill in some time for me.
In a live situation my guitars are either in my hands or in the case (and always in eye sight), no exceptions.
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Price was always a issue for us in the U.S market (being UK based), until July, we managed to bring the retail price down to around $109. It's still more expensive than your average stand - but this is no average stand! Originally Posted by woland
We recommend it can hold around 4kg of weight on the music tray, which has always been enough for my needs. What would a fair price be in your opinion for a stand like this?
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This thread is about stands to hold music, not guitars. Originally Posted by gggomez
Danny W.
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Wow that Proline is on sale for $18.99 today, free shipping too. (looks like other stands are on sale too) Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
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http://www.amazon.com/961d-Wittner-M.../dp/B001CA26R2
i got into these 20 years ago because they are great for classical guitar: they can sit very low.
they fold up VERY small.
i used my first one for 10 years.
the tension screw that holds the stand up can wear out, but i just found a fix by using plumbers tape.
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I have the ProLine. It's great, but I wish I had something that folds up to be more compact. (And it's a little heavy.) Both the Rat Jazz and the Peak do that. Originally Posted by Dave70
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I forget what I paid. I'm thinking around 30 bucks in a Guitar Center. This was five-six years ago, if not longer. Great deal at $18.99! Originally Posted by Dave70
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I don't see that kind of price anywhere in the US. Where should I be looking? Originally Posted by RATstands
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I've got the Manhasset Voyager and I really like it. It's easy to set up and take down and it comes with a bag that my guitar stand will also fit into. The whole thing doesn't take up much more room in my trunk than the shelf alone would take. It goes over my shoulder and I can take it with my guitar and amp in one trip. Originally Posted by campusfive
For big band stuff, I recommend getting the extenders. They let you spread out four pages, which is very handy. You can also get clear plastic clips that hold your charts down. A must for outdoor gigs.
The only downside is that the stand doesn't let you lock the height and a heavy book will push it down to the lowest position. However, you can buy a shaft lock, which I recommend.
All this stuff will end up costing you close to $100, but you only live once. It's a very good, solid, portable setup. I'm glad I got it.
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Just ordered a Rat Jazz Stand from Santa for wife and myself. Expensive. Strictly for rehearsals/gigs, so we can leave our others in place at home. Will give a short review after trying it.
The Jazz Stand ~ RATstands
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