Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Having just got my new Foley zook I was heading over to my Hercules stand to leave it there when I had a thought . . .
The Hercules holds the instrument by the head stock, the soundbox rests on a padded thing that sticks out of the stand and although I've kept my other bouzouki out using this stand for years I was wondering if this is the best way to treat the instrument. Would a more conventional locking neck stand be better, where the weight of the instrument is borne on the bottom by the tailpiece rather than the neck?
Come to think of it, should I leave it out all the time or put it back in it's case? I have always left my instruments out and play them most days so can't see the harm, but is this a good idea (I live in the UK, with a fairly even temperate climate).
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Structurally it's better to hang it by the neck than to stand it on its bottom.
Think about the physics - the strings are pulling the neck about 20 billion times the weight of the instrument. (possible exaggeration there, but the point is that the weight of the thing hanging from the thin end is insignificant when compared with the forces being applied by the strings.)
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
It has occurred to hang it by the neck would be better option (as you know I do pictures, so was not really thinking about the physics too hard), I'll stick with the Hercules.
As for the pub prop, I've got one but never really trusted the thing with any instrument I've ever owned, although a friend has a metal version which works very well.
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
I like to store my guitars and basses out and on stands like you do. I like having things handy.
I've used Hercules stands like yours since I was a teenager
I've never had any problems with keeping my instruments out on stands. I've been doing it for nearly 40 years now, too, so that should be time enough to tell
you do have to pick them up and play them every so often to knock the dust off, but other than that, I wouldn't worry
cases are for travelling, for home use...well, if it came right down to it you could just stand them up in the corner.
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Most of my better instruments live in their cases, apart from the 'zouk, which gets used so often it hangs on a wall by a thick cord looped around the machines several times.
The more you leave them out the more they collect a 'mouse' of dust inside, which will rattle around and fall out when you shake the thing to get out your plectrum.
I know several people who do use stands all the time, but personlly, when out, I use a pub prop - while there may be complaints about particular batches produced, having seen my old greek bouzouki slide sideways along the table edge till it fell over and broke the neck, I say it is a boon ! I probably wouldn't use a pub-prop to actually support the weight of a fiddle or mandolin, even if they reckon it can, but as a lateral support to prevent leant instruments falling over it does it's job, as the name suggests. If anyone wants to make a better one, go ahead. "Build a better mouse and the world will beat a path to your door." - the Wizard of Id.
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
I’ve seen lots of instruments get scratched or dinged while hanging or sitting upon some kind of stand, but I’ve never seen it happen while the instrument is resting in its case, on the floor, with the lid down. I know it uses up more floor space, but it’s much safer than a stand. I own some stands, but the only time I ever use them is onstage when I need to quickly change instruments.
Whatever you do, please *never* just prop a worthy instrument against a chair/table/sofa/wall/etc. If a zouk or guitar falls over, it can literally break off the peghead. This can even happen while the instrument is in the case. I’ve seen the results.
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Certainly never just rely on friction to hold an instrument upright. On the other hand, I wouldn't have the effrontery to stick a hardshell case on the floor in the middle of a crowded session. If you value your instrument that much, don't take it out, keep a cheaper one for sessions.
And I always build my electrics with two strap buttons on the bottom, a few inches apart, so you CAN lean them against a wall or table and they won't immediately fall over. You can't do this on acoustics, because they only have a central tailblock you can screw one button into.
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Well for what it is worth at home I have my SOS Zouk on one of those Hercules stands that "locks" when the weight of the instrument causes the two flippers to move to the locked position.
depending on what is out of it's case at the time it might also go into one of the standard U neck and bottom stands as well.
Any number of different mandolins and mandolas go into these as well. I've never had any trouble but I'm lucky in that there isn't much human or doggy traffic in that room. ONE THING I HAVE MADE SURE OF is that all these instruments FIT SNUGLY/SAFELY on that particular stand before hand.
I must have about 20 cases sitting on the floor - mostly with old, vintage instruments in and I consider THEM vulnerable as if anyone fell on them I guess something would break.
I ALWAYS use a "Pub Prop" for said SOS at sessions it is FAR safer than a stand - I am between the drunken eejits and the Pub Prop/Instrument so protecting it - a stand is far more vulnerable and unstable when eejits are around. I also hange my Gibson F2 Mandolin in it when I quickly swop between instruments - for longer periods it sits on the table - but it's vulnerable to spilt drink then...... I trust the Pub Prop implicitly I've had it for about 10 years.
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
I wouldn't worry about using stands if the room in properly humidified and you can trust the other denizens of the house (e.g., kids, pets) not to mess with the instrument.
My young son was fascinated by my guitars and dragged one out of a closed case across the latches, putting some nice nicks in the back a Mcilroy. Needless to say, my guitars now live in locked cases.
Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Having just got my new Foley zook I was heading over to my Hercules stand to leave it there when I had a thought . . .
The Hercules holds the instrument by the head stock, the soundbox rests on a padded thing that sticks out of the stand and although I've kept my other bouzouki out using this stand for years I was wondering if this is the best way to treat the instrument. Would a more conventional locking neck stand be better, where the weight of the instrument is borne on the bottom by the tailpiece rather than the neck?
Come to think of it, should I leave it out all the time or put it back in it's case? I have always left my instruments out and play them most days so can't see the harm, but is this a good idea (I live in the UK, with a fairly even temperate climate).
How do you store your instruments?
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Stuart - is that you?
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by showaddydadito
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Tis I - hi Dave!
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Structurally it's better to hang it by the neck than to stand it on its bottom.
Think about the physics - the strings are pulling the neck about 20 billion times the weight of the instrument. (possible exaggeration there, but the point is that the weight of the thing hanging from the thin end is insignificant when compared with the forces being applied by the strings.)
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by showaddydadito
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Guten Tag!
Slightly off topic: Talking of instrument stand and the like. Don't bother buying a product called "The Pub Prop".
They are Scheit.
Danke
Krick
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Krick Stahlschwanz
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
It has occurred to hang it by the neck would be better option (as you know I do pictures, so was not really thinking about the physics too hard), I'll stick with the Hercules.
As for the pub prop, I've got one but never really trusted the thing with any instrument I've ever owned, although a friend has a metal version which works very well.
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
I like to store my guitars and basses out and on stands like you do. I like having things handy.
I've used Hercules stands like yours since I was a teenager
I've never had any problems with keeping my instruments out on stands. I've been doing it for nearly 40 years now, too, so that should be time enough to tell
you do have to pick them up and play them every so often to knock the dust off, but other than that, I wouldn't worry
cases are for travelling, for home use...well, if it came right down to it you could just stand them up in the corner.
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Nate Ryan
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
The Pub Prop? Isn't that the nickname of the drunk gal at the end of the bar...
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
I have a pub prop and it works fine for use in the pub - which is what it's for.
But we have had this conversation already!
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Most of my better instruments live in their cases, apart from the 'zouk, which gets used so often it hangs on a wall by a thick cord looped around the machines several times.
The more you leave them out the more they collect a 'mouse' of dust inside, which will rattle around and fall out when you shake the thing to get out your plectrum.
I know several people who do use stands all the time, but personlly, when out, I use a pub prop - while there may be complaints about particular batches produced, having seen my old greek bouzouki slide sideways along the table edge till it fell over and broke the neck, I say it is a boon ! I probably wouldn't use a pub-prop to actually support the weight of a fiddle or mandolin, even if they reckon it can, but as a lateral support to prevent leant instruments falling over it does it's job, as the name suggests. If anyone wants to make a better one, go ahead. "Build a better mouse and the world will beat a path to your door." - the Wizard of Id.
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
..."personally".....
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
I’ve seen lots of instruments get scratched or dinged while hanging or sitting upon some kind of stand, but I’ve never seen it happen while the instrument is resting in its case, on the floor, with the lid down. I know it uses up more floor space, but it’s much safer than a stand. I own some stands, but the only time I ever use them is onstage when I need to quickly change instruments.
Whatever you do, please *never* just prop a worthy instrument against a chair/table/sofa/wall/etc. If a zouk or guitar falls over, it can literally break off the peghead. This can even happen while the instrument is in the case. I’ve seen the results.
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Bob himself
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Certainly never just rely on friction to hold an instrument upright. On the other hand, I wouldn't have the effrontery to stick a hardshell case on the floor in the middle of a crowded session. If you value your instrument that much, don't take it out, keep a cheaper one for sessions.
And I always build my electrics with two strap buttons on the bottom, a few inches apart, so you CAN lean them against a wall or table and they won't immediately fall over. You can't do this on acoustics, because they only have a central tailblock you can screw one button into.
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
All down to how much risk you’re willing to accept, I s’pose.
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Bob himself
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
The Pub Prop? Isn't that the nickname of the drunk gal at the end of the bar...
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Aren't ya gonna introduce me?
# Posted on February 18th 2009 by Fishmonger
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
Well for what it is worth at home I have my SOS Zouk on one of those Hercules stands that "locks" when the weight of the instrument causes the two flippers to move to the locked position.
depending on what is out of it's case at the time it might also go into one of the standard U neck and bottom stands as well.
Any number of different mandolins and mandolas go into these as well. I've never had any trouble but I'm lucky in that there isn't much human or doggy traffic in that room. ONE THING I HAVE MADE SURE OF is that all these instruments FIT SNUGLY/SAFELY on that particular stand before hand.
I must have about 20 cases sitting on the floor - mostly with old, vintage instruments in and I consider THEM vulnerable as if anyone fell on them I guess something would break.
I ALWAYS use a "Pub Prop" for said SOS at sessions it is FAR safer than a stand - I am between the drunken eejits and the Pub Prop/Instrument so protecting it - a stand is far more vulnerable and unstable when eejits are around. I also hange my Gibson F2 Mandolin in it when I quickly swop between instruments - for longer periods it sits on the table - but it's vulnerable to spilt drink then...... I trust the Pub Prop implicitly I've had it for about 10 years.
# Posted on February 18th 2009 by UKCITTERN
Re: Stands for bouzouki/guitar, and leaving them out . . .
I wouldn't worry about using stands if the room in properly humidified and you can trust the other denizens of the house (e.g., kids, pets) not to mess with the instrument.
My young son was fascinated by my guitars and dragged one out of a closed case across the latches, putting some nice nicks in the back a Mcilroy. Needless to say, my guitars now live in locked cases.
J.
and no, I didn't beat him.
# Posted on February 19th 2009 by jeff_willner