I have acquired a Pub Prop. This seemed a good idea at the time. However, I have to say it is the most useless piece of equipment imaginable and totally unsuitable for purpose! I am amazed at how little thought has gone into the manufacture of what basically is a good idea.
The plate fits onto the table, but it is made of RUBBER!! This means that any pressure applied to it makes it bend. Surprise surprise! When the instrument (in my case a mandolin, which is certainly not the heaviest of instruments) is in position with the correct spacer to fit it bends and does not give any confidence about its security especially when the 'lock' bar is put into place. This is the final straw, as it is NOT secure enough to hold anything firmly. If you have gingerly balanced the instrument so that it seems to hold, it will certainly come crashing down with the slightest of touches.
WHY did whoever designed this not make it at least out of stiff rugged plastic and design a more secure locking mechanism. I will get my money back from the store who supplied it and recommend my circle of musicians NEVER to go near one!
Oh yes! The bloody Pub Prop!
I had it recomended to me by a session goer.
So I sent off for two.
All I can say is that they must have changed the design. materials or manufacturing since my acquaintance got one.
It's USELESS!
The hook that supposed to click tight and secure your instrument is indeed made of RUBBER! Nasty smelly bendy black stuff! It closes at first and then slowly comes undone causing your fiddle, mandolin, 'zouk to crash to the pub floor whilst away getting a pint!
It's a very good idea but someone ought to make them out of clicky plasic or something. As you can see I'm very up in carbon engineering!
(By the way, when I say "session goer"; I don't mean an easy flirty bird who sidelines with a bit of fiddle!).
Well, I must have been living a sheltered existence, as I'd never heard of a "pub prop".
But I knew that it said of heavy drinkers that they like to "prop up the bar", so I thought (when I saw the discussion title) that "pub prop" must be referring to a really heavy drinker!
It always horrifies me when I see instruments (some costing £1000s) casually balanced or resting on pub tables, just waiting to be knocked over or have beer spilled over them.
There is a simple answer to this: obtain a hard case for your chosen instrument, and put it in its case before leaving it to get a drink, go out for a smoke or whatever.
There is only one problem with this approach. People who don't know you, but nevertheless appreciate your playing tend to say "You're not leaving already are you?" or "You can't possibly go yet!"
Of course it's also possible that people that neither know you nor like your playing might say something like "Good riddance!" It hasn't happened to me yet, but I'm sure that one day it will ...
Mixo, I think the point of a "pub prop" is to mark your place, so that nobody nicks your seat when you go to the bar/outside for a fag/down to the bookies/ATM/pawnshop/Tesco to get the tea etc.
Well, all I can say is, make a better one, and market it, and hope you haven't infringed their patent.
I have one - the rubbery bit on the underside, that is screwed against the table, disintegrated after a bit, and so I replaced it with a rubber bung that a teaching friend acquired for me out of the school laboratory. No problem. I probably wouldn't use it just to suspend an instrument from, but it certainly is useful to stop that heart-rending sideways slide of your favourite stringed instrument till it bashes its tuners on the floor and breaks the neck ( I did do that years ago to a Greek bouzouki ), so I, personally, am well satisfied with it.
Isn't there enough table/bar space to put your little instrument down flat on the surface ?
Well I have one and it works just fine for me - and I only got it a few months ago. It sounds like the same design you have. It could be made more sturdy but it seems to do the job. Then again I am using for a guitar so the instrument isn't suspended.
There are some pubs I wouldn't use it in because they are too crazy and drunken (there I would tend to avoid things like the toilet until the instrument is packed away). Most of the pubs I play sessions in though there isn't the room to be constantly taking my guitar in and out of it's case. The pub prop does it's job and was cheap to boot.
I bought one that sounds liket his flimsy rubber design - ok for a guitar which leans against it but not for anything that would hang like a mandolin or banjo. When I criticised the design to the ebay shop I bought it from they became offensively shirty!
I didn't want money back or anything - it wasn't expensive and I expect they sold it in good faith.
I have a serious brass job made by a friend but they aren't on the market.
What an intriguing discussion for anyone clueless about this discussion!
Breezy Ridge sells a thing called the "D'angle" which might be what you're looking for. From their web copy:
"An instrument support device that allows a stringed insturment to be suspended from the smallest of level areas. A boon for any musicians working in cramped surroundings where a normal instrument stand is just not practical, the D'ANGLE™ is so compact that it will fit easily inside a standard guitar case. "
There's a picture, and it looks to me like it would be pretty secure, without relying on a clamp - a pretty clever design, actually. It's marketed as a device for hanging your guitar off a bookshelf or something, but I don't see why it wouldn't work for a pub table.
They all have 'em at our pub and they all seem to like 'em. Not much use to a harmonica player of course, and fix one to a table of a particular height, forget it's there, get up to go for a wee and you get your goolies ripped off.
I put my 12-string in a guitar stand when I get up to fetch a pint or pee. It is secure and in a place that is safe and out of traffic. Of course, I get to the sessions I play at and sit in pretty much the same seat each week so I can protect my instrument and have a good spot for the guitar stand.
If I don't use the stand, I either have a friend hold the guitar for me, or I put it in the hardshell case I have.
I lost a guitar years ago to a drunk who knocked it over from the stand. The head broke off and it could not be repaired, so I am very guarded where my instruments are concerned.
I have made several prototypes using C-clamps and padded tool hooks attached to a wooden body. Bulkier than those shown, but absolutely solid for anything less than a hard kick. If I (a) streamline the design and (b) buy a digital camera, I will submit a photo for criticism.
Have had two good years of safe service from my pub prop. But I only use it for my guitar and occasionally hang my fiddle bow off the little specially designed hook, but would not hang a mandolin or fiddle on it.
I've been reading these comments with concern and interest - please check my reply to a customer who wrote to me directly;
We say, in the instructions, that "Some lighter instruments may be hung - special care must be taken to ensure ‘Yoke’ is securely fastened and that the instrument is not too heavy". That said, the last thing we want is for any damage to occur to one of our customers' instruments and I take your comments very seriously. The Pub Prop has been around for about 15 years and I haven't heard of any catastrophes so far. There have, however, been various modifications to the design over the years and we also rely on the material itself being of a consistent quality. It appears (from some of the comments posted) that you may have some from a batch of softer material and perhaps this is not suitable for some hanging instruments. I have spoken with our material supplier today about this issue and we are hoping to start work on a harder rubber in the next few weeks.
The consistency of the rubber component does vary and we endeavour to keep it within acceptable tolerances. If we have failed in any instance, which it appears we have, then I offer my sincere apologies.
You may wish to return your Pub Prop to the store where you bought them, or you may return them to me and I will exchange them for a stiffer version as soon as I can.
The Pub Prop is a British-designed, British-made product and one with which we're very proud to be associated. The number of users has grown since it's invention mainly through word of mouth so I assure you that I will make every effort restore confidence in the Pub Prop.
The issue is, of course, with hanging instruments rather than when using it as a "prop", where the rubber yoke is not load-bearing.
I hope my reply goes some way to reassuring you and please don't hesitate to keep in touch regarding a replacement or with any other comments. Any Pub Prop owner should feel free to contact me directly via my website if they have any queries or comments. Thank you.
OK.I posted recomending this before In good faith.It is great for my Mandola i still us it all the time.But i did buy some as presents to mandolin playing friends who were not to happy about using them.
The Pub Prop
The Pub Prop
I have acquired a Pub Prop. This seemed a good idea at the time. However, I have to say it is the most useless piece of equipment imaginable and totally unsuitable for purpose! I am amazed at how little thought has gone into the manufacture of what basically is a good idea.
The plate fits onto the table, but it is made of RUBBER!! This means that any pressure applied to it makes it bend. Surprise surprise! When the instrument (in my case a mandolin, which is certainly not the heaviest of instruments) is in position with the correct spacer to fit it bends and does not give any confidence about its security especially when the 'lock' bar is put into place. This is the final straw, as it is NOT secure enough to hold anything firmly. If you have gingerly balanced the instrument so that it seems to hold, it will certainly come crashing down with the slightest of touches.
WHY did whoever designed this not make it at least out of stiff rugged plastic and design a more secure locking mechanism. I will get my money back from the store who supplied it and recommend my circle of musicians NEVER to go near one!
disgruntled and disappointed.
Ian Fisher
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by mootman
Re: The Pub Prop
Different points of view:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/5933
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by Lurcherjohn
Re: The Pub Prop
I had no idea what you were talking about. Too bad it doesn't work too well, looks like a nifty idea:
http://www.highlystrung.net/acatalog/Pub_prop.html
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The Pub Prop
A banjo player at our session has one his son made for him - works a treat!
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by RockyRoader
Re: The Pub Prop
Oh yes! The bloody Pub Prop!
I had it recomended to me by a session goer.
So I sent off for two.
All I can say is that they must have changed the design. materials or manufacturing since my acquaintance got one.
It's USELESS!
The hook that supposed to click tight and secure your instrument is indeed made of RUBBER! Nasty smelly bendy black stuff! It closes at first and then slowly comes undone causing your fiddle, mandolin, 'zouk to crash to the pub floor whilst away getting a pint!
It's a very good idea but someone ought to make them out of clicky plasic or something. As you can see I'm very up in carbon engineering!
(By the way, when I say "session goer"; I don't mean an easy flirty bird who sidelines with a bit of fiddle!).
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by Krick Stahlschwanz
Re: The Pub Prop
When I saw the thread I was thinking of this:
http://www.airquee.co.uk/pub/
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by whangee
Re: The Pub Prop
Well, I must have been living a sheltered existence, as I'd never heard of a "pub prop".
But I knew that it said of heavy drinkers that they like to "prop up the bar", so I thought (when I saw the discussion title) that "pub prop" must be referring to a really heavy drinker!
It always horrifies me when I see instruments (some costing £1000s) casually balanced or resting on pub tables, just waiting to be knocked over or have beer spilled over them.
There is a simple answer to this: obtain a hard case for your chosen instrument, and put it in its case before leaving it to get a drink, go out for a smoke or whatever.
There is only one problem with this approach. People who don't know you, but nevertheless appreciate your playing tend to say "You're not leaving already are you?" or "You can't possibly go yet!"
Of course it's also possible that people that neither know you nor like your playing might say something like "Good riddance!" It hasn't happened to me yet, but I'm sure that one day it will ...
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: The Pub Prop
Mixo, I think the point of a "pub prop" is to mark your place, so that nobody nicks your seat when you go to the bar/outside for a fag/down to the bookies/ATM/pawnshop/Tesco to get the tea etc.
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by Bren
Re: The Pub Prop
Well, all I can say is, make a better one, and market it, and hope you haven't infringed their patent.
I have one - the rubbery bit on the underside, that is screwed against the table, disintegrated after a bit, and so I replaced it with a rubber bung that a teaching friend acquired for me out of the school laboratory. No problem. I probably wouldn't use it just to suspend an instrument from, but it certainly is useful to stop that heart-rending sideways slide of your favourite stringed instrument till it bashes its tuners on the floor and breaks the neck ( I did do that years ago to a Greek bouzouki ), so I, personally, am well satisfied with it.
Isn't there enough table/bar space to put your little instrument down flat on the surface ?
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: The Pub Prop
Bren - agreed, keeping you place in the circle might be an issue.
But that's easily dealt with. Putting your coat on the back of the chair seems to work OK - at least it does in the pub sessions that I go to.
Admittedly, folks might get a bit annoyed if you left your seat unoccupied for an hour or so while you did your shopping at Tesco's
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: The Pub Prop
Wasn't from Woolworths, was it?..
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by nicholas
Re: The Pub Prop
Well I have one and it works just fine for me - and I only got it a few months ago. It sounds like the same design you have. It could be made more sturdy but it seems to do the job. Then again I am using for a guitar so the instrument isn't suspended.
There are some pubs I wouldn't use it in because they are too crazy and drunken (there I would tend to avoid things like the toilet until the instrument is packed away). Most of the pubs I play sessions in though there isn't the room to be constantly taking my guitar in and out of it's case. The pub prop does it's job and was cheap to boot.
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: The Pub Prop
I bought one that sounds liket his flimsy rubber design - ok for a guitar which leans against it but not for anything that would hang like a mandolin or banjo. When I criticised the design to the ebay shop I bought it from they became offensively shirty!
I didn't want money back or anything - it wasn't expensive and I expect they sold it in good faith.
I have a serious brass job made by a friend but they aren't on the market.
What an intriguing discussion for anyone clueless about this discussion!
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by Rob
Re: The Pub Prop
Breezy Ridge sells a thing called the "D'angle" which might be what you're looking for. From their web copy:
"An instrument support device that allows a stringed insturment to be suspended from the smallest of level areas. A boon for any musicians working in cramped surroundings where a normal instrument stand is just not practical, the D'ANGLE™ is so compact that it will fit easily inside a standard guitar case. "
There's a picture, and it looks to me like it would be pretty secure, without relying on a clamp - a pretty clever design, actually. It's marketed as a device for hanging your guitar off a bookshelf or something, but I don't see why it wouldn't work for a pub table.
http://jpstrings.com/braccess.htm#Dangle
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: The Pub Prop
They all have 'em at our pub and they all seem to like 'em. Not much use to a harmonica player of course, and fix one to a table of a particular height, forget it's there, get up to go for a wee and you get your goolies ripped off.
# Posted on January 6th 2009 by Steve Shaw
Re: The Pub Prop
That Dangle doesn't look like it would last long on a crowded pub table. One bump from Steve's goolies and it would be on the floor.
I'm inclined to put the instrument away and leave the coat over the chair, or let someone else have a shot for a while.
# Posted on January 7th 2009 by Bren
Re: The Pub Prop
I put my 12-string in a guitar stand when I get up to fetch a pint or pee. It is secure and in a place that is safe and out of traffic. Of course, I get to the sessions I play at and sit in pretty much the same seat each week so I can protect my instrument and have a good spot for the guitar stand.
If I don't use the stand, I either have a friend hold the guitar for me, or I put it in the hardshell case I have.
I lost a guitar years ago to a drunk who knocked it over from the stand. The head broke off and it could not be repaired, so I am very guarded where my instruments are concerned.
# Posted on January 7th 2009 by Celtic Guitar
Re: The Pub Prop
You can buy a fold over triangle guitar stand for about £8, which is very small, easy carried, and does fora mandolin, guitar, even a bodhran.
# Posted on January 7th 2009 by bodhran bliss
Re: The Pub Prop
I've got one of those and I use it to put my battery amp on. Not wanting to cause trouble here of course.
# Posted on January 7th 2009 by Steve Shaw
Re: The Pub Prop
I have made several prototypes using C-clamps and padded tool hooks attached to a wooden body. Bulkier than those shown, but absolutely solid for anything less than a hard kick. If I (a) streamline the design and (b) buy a digital camera, I will submit a photo for criticism.
# Posted on January 7th 2009 by oldstrings
Re: The Pub Prop
Have had two good years of safe service from my pub prop. But I only use it for my guitar and occasionally hang my fiddle bow off the little specially designed hook, but would not hang a mandolin or fiddle on it.
# Posted on January 7th 2009 by Donough
Re: The Pub Prop
A word from the distributor of the Pub Prop;
I've been reading these comments with concern and interest - please check my reply to a customer who wrote to me directly;
We say, in the instructions, that "Some lighter instruments may be hung - special care must be taken to ensure ‘Yoke’ is securely fastened and that the instrument is not too heavy". That said, the last thing we want is for any damage to occur to one of our customers' instruments and I take your comments very seriously. The Pub Prop has been around for about 15 years and I haven't heard of any catastrophes so far. There have, however, been various modifications to the design over the years and we also rely on the material itself being of a consistent quality. It appears (from some of the comments posted) that you may have some from a batch of softer material and perhaps this is not suitable for some hanging instruments. I have spoken with our material supplier today about this issue and we are hoping to start work on a harder rubber in the next few weeks.
The consistency of the rubber component does vary and we endeavour to keep it within acceptable tolerances. If we have failed in any instance, which it appears we have, then I offer my sincere apologies.
You may wish to return your Pub Prop to the store where you bought them, or you may return them to me and I will exchange them for a stiffer version as soon as I can.
The Pub Prop is a British-designed, British-made product and one with which we're very proud to be associated. The number of users has grown since it's invention mainly through word of mouth so I assure you that I will make every effort restore confidence in the Pub Prop.
The issue is, of course, with hanging instruments rather than when using it as a "prop", where the rubber yoke is not load-bearing.
I hope my reply goes some way to reassuring you and please don't hesitate to keep in touch regarding a replacement or with any other comments. Any Pub Prop owner should feel free to contact me directly via my website if they have any queries or comments. Thank you.
Yours sincerely
Mark Pugh
Stones Music Ltd
www.stones-music.com
# Posted on January 8th 2009 by Barney Stone
Re: The Pub Prop
Wish I knew what the hell you'r talkin' about.
# Posted on January 8th 2009 by hauke
Re: The Pub Prop
OK.I posted recomending this before In good faith.It is great for my Mandola i still us it all the time.But i did buy some as presents to mandolin playing friends who were not to happy about using them.
# Posted on January 10th 2009 by Dphil
Re: The Pub Prop
http://www.folkrevolution.co.uk/main.html.
Hauke this is a link to Item being talked about.
And I am not involved in the sale of these just a satisfied customer.
# Posted on January 10th 2009 by Dphil
Re: The Pub Prop
PS its listed on the assesories tab.
# Posted on January 10th 2009 by Dphil