Double Bass Upright Bass Stand Problem at gigs

[bluefizz]

I only use a stand at home. I have a Hercules stand for one of my basses and the other one that I play more sits in the corner. I personally have never taken a stand to a gig, I’m more afraid of people knocking it off the stand then it being out of the way on its side. My bass didn’t come with bummers so I bought some from Gollihur music and stuck them on myself. Just have to make sure there in the right spot. Only time someone knock my bass over was at a community orchestra rehearsal when some cello players where running around acting like kids. I kept it together and took a deep breath but the section leader was not so kind haha.

 

[Adam Booker]

I only use a stand at home or in the office, but I take the Bass Cradle for outdoor gigs when I don’t know if there will be a stage or otherwise safe place to set it down.

A yoga mat works well for this as well.

 

[DMcNutt]

I recently bought the Bass Cradle "Gigger's" Model after reading about it on TB, which replaced my Hercules. I found the Hercules to be too big and annoying to carry while carrying other stuff. The cradle is really light, has a bag with a strap that can also hold a mic stand. Much more efficient. As a stand it’s really good and definitely better on uneven ground outdoors.

I always bring a stand to unfamiliar situations and wind up using it about 30% of all events I’m at overall. Sometimes there just isn’t an accessible corner, which is preferred. If I didn’t have it last week for example, people dancing around it would’ve trampled the bass for sure if it had been on the floor. I wasn’t confident originally leaving it on its own on the stand but after watching everybody move around it because it was visible, rather than trip over it on the floor I’m convinced it’s the right thing for a good number of situations.

When at a gig if I wish to leave my bass unattended on the Bass Cradle I first make certain the edge of the upper bout is squarely and securely hooked over the lower supporting arm of the Bass Cradle. Then I pull my music stand up against the bass endpin and next place my stool or a chair directly under the peg box. This forces any person on the stage to detour completely around the bass/Cradle combination.

 

[John Le Guyader]

The Hercules DB stand appears to be a far better design than the Ingles, IMO.

I own three of them...each purchased off of ebay slightly damaged but fully functional and easily fixable at a great price. Always tae one on a gig whether used or not.

 

[Simon Toth]

I have the K&M. Didn't have any problems with it. Not sure how the arms can go undone. I can put my whole wait on it and it's there. I'm gonna take it with me to a 14-day long masterclass/Summer Institute too. Packs up so well!

 

[Sam Dingle]

i keep my bass on a stand at home but just leave it on the floor at the gig.

 

[Roger Davis]

May I offer you this solution from this evening’s gig. By way of explanation, I’m not usually this cavalier but the bass is my ‘outdoor’ bass, a 1960 German laminate that puts up with a lot.

 

[Jason Hollar]

A yoga mat works well for this as well.

Finally - a better use for my yoga mat. Compact solution!

 

[Asr4]

The Hercules

is stable, easy to fold, able to receive a bow on the back side, and because of the angle, difficult to bring down.

In the other hand, a carpet is ok to protect the bass sides from any floor, and provides a better sound reflection prevention.

 

[Foxrock321]

The K and M saved me on my gig..I double on el bass and trombone..The K n M keeps the peg in the box and lets you lean the bass over to a comfortable playing position, when your done simply put the body back between the two holding arms..The arms are spring loaded and you can lower them if you want..The Other stands don't give you this flexibility..

 

[DrayMiles]

I personally find the Ingles stand to be one of the worse I've ever owned. It has a tendency to chip the bottom of basses. I know a few luthiers that have the support arms cut off and replaced/welded with something more forgiving. I had to buy a different stand, and the Ingles is currently sitting in a corner... I'm giving it away to my local luthier. For me... I can't recommend it... It's sturdy, but hazardous IMO...

 

[carl h.]

I personally find that stand to be one of the worse I've ever owned. It has a tendency to chip the bottom of basses.

Which stand are you talking about?

 

[DrayMiles]

Ingles Adjustable Cello and Bass Stand...

The rubber arms are not kind to old basses IMO...

 

[Dr. Love]

I got tired of trying to use a stand: more junk to carry and I take up even more room on the stage. I put the leather bumpers from Gollihur on the side, they work well to keep the edge from getting dinged up. If there is no corner, then I put the endpin all the way in (the endpin is the hardest thing to notice for people moving around), then lay it down on the side in the "safest" low traffic area I can and keep an eye on it as best I can.

 

[John Le Guyader]

The Hercules DB stand appears to be a far better design than the Ingles, IMO.

I forgot already replied to this....sorry for the duplication, I'd delete this if I could.

I own three, all bought on ebay at various times for a substantial discount due to prior shipping damage...if not too bent-up they are easy to repair to look and function like new, and Hercules will even supply small parts free if you call them up. Yes, it takes up some room on the gig, and its more to schlepp (Isn't that what we are actually paid for...the schlepping part (I play part time)?), but my bass is safe and sound while unattended.

 

[Richtofen]

Hercules DB stand is fantastic, only caveat is transporting it takes up quite a bit of room, but it is playable even on the stand, especially if you switch instruments a lot.

During orchestra rehearsals, I try to make my bass not able to be stepped over the neck. Being in youth orchestras and around cellists that don't care for basses, I try to place my bass where the neck will not get stepped over. Obviously endpin in first, but bass should never get it's neck stepped over.

Also trying to get it to where people won't go in the "bass bubble". I've had many idiots walk through my little bass bubble, even though there was a clear open lane of traffic. (Bass bubble is where you're playing in the orchestra, especially if you play on a stool) I just move the stand closer to the stool/bass and now its another lane of traffic.

As for gigs, just keep it on a Hercules stool, and if falling over worries you, get a 20lb weight and place it on the back of the stand.
If in a tight area, at that point just place it back in the case or find a different room. Bars that don't have enough room for a band especially a upright bassist and a drummer shouldn't even be a bar in the first place.

 

[gypsydjango]

My 2 cents worth on the topic. At home / gigs I use the Ingles stand. Find it very good. Adjustable--fits my DB & EUB. No problems so far except the foam 'protection' on the stand (on the lower bout & neck) had to be replaced through wear--replaced with tight fitting plastic tubing.
Hate putting my bass down on concrete / stone /gravel floors--even grass, even on the bandstand. As big as the bass is I have had my bass walked into by band members. A bass player I know put his bass down after a gig on a darkened stage--one band member walked into it and broke the neck of his bass---an expensive gig for the bass player.