Accessories Sax stand recommendations

[Saxlicker]

I think there is a common theme here that there is no floor stand that will be able to render your sax completely safe in a collision with your pets. However I'm sure many people have pets and no catastrophes (rolls the ball across the line for someone to tap it in and tell me otherwise ).
So a wall mount is the best solution and as per Jennettes suggestion Locoparasaxo have been around a while producing good stuff.
If however you still want a floor stand I can't praise saxrax highly enough.
Alto / Tenor Stands - SAXRAX.COM

I have a range from the very late 1990's and they have changed a bit now to be more portable but still look essentially the same.

 

[Stephen Howard]

I haven't had any problems with Hercules. Just need to use them properly. The one K&M I have is not as well made, much prefer the Hercules ones.

I'd agree the K&M isn't as well made, but I'm a bit puzzled as to the proper way to use a Hercules stand.

Help me out a bit:

Remove from bag.
Pull out legs until they lock in position.
Lift riser until it locks into position.
Flip bell clamp over into working position.
Check bow support is down and in position.
Place sax on stand, ensuring bell flare fits snugly between clamps and bow rest on support.
Give sax a bit of a jiggle to test.

Remove sax from stand.
Play blinding solo.
Wait until applause has died down.
Place sax back on stand, as before.

I'm not sure where I'm going wrong - as every other stand I've owned has worked in more or less the same fashion.

 

[kevgermany]

It's just the making sure all the bits lock into place and making sure the lower bell support doesn't kick up without you noticing it as you lift the sax out.

 

[Stephen Howard]

It's just the making sure all the bits lock into place and making sure the lower bell support doesn't kick up without you noticing it as you lift the sax out.

I'm doing that. If the bits didn't lock into place, the stand would collapse or topple as soon as you put a horn on it.
Likewise, if the lower support isn't down the horn will slip over straightaway.
Neither of these things are what's happening.

 

[davidk]

I have to say I'm not that impressed with my Hercules tenor stand. There have been a number of times when I've placed the horn on the stand, wandered off for a while and come back to find it sitting at an angle. For some reason or other the horn sometimes slips sideways. Doesn't fall off, mind you, but it's not very reassuring.
I also think the angle of the stand is a little too upright - it could do with leaning forward just a few more degrees to square up the centre of balance.

Apart from that, it's great.

If you're going to use a stand instead of putting the horn away in its case, make up a dust-cover for the horn(s). Just an old well-washed sheet will do...just something to keep the dust from settling on the action

I had the same problem of saxes slipping round in their stands. I subsequently bought a pair of Hercules stands with the auto-grip system, and haven't had any problems since (alto and tenor).

AGS Alto/Tenor Saxophone stand

 

[Stephen Howard]

I had the same problem of saxes slipping round in their stands. I subsequently bought a pair of Hercules stands with the auto-grip system, and haven't had any problems since (alto and tenor).

AGS Alto/Tenor Saxophone stand

That's the one I've got.

I think what might be going on is that there's insufficient weight against the clamps, and that certain horns in certain circumstances (in a live, loud environment) are held loosely enough to be able to tip to one side.

Dunno though, it would need some tests doing.

 

[StageFright]

I have to say I'm not that impressed with my Hercules tenor stand. ..............
I also think the angle of the stand is a little too upright - it could do with leaning forward just a few more degrees to square up the centre of balance..............

Agree - Hercules is a nice stand, but a bit too upright. I'm planning to take the 'U' shaped arm holder off of the base and make a new one with different holes locations for the sax arm detents to snap into so the sax leans a bit more forward.

 

[StageFright]

The saxrax is built like a tank....with a price tag to match though ~ £72.00

 

[Stephen Howard]

Agree - Hercules is a nice stand, but a bit too upright. I'm planning to take the 'U' shaped arm holder off of the base and make a new one with different holes locations for the sax arm detents to snap into so the sax leans a bit more forward.

That's what I tried to do - only by drilling another hole a little further back down the base. Unfortunately the need for a suitable amount of metal between the two holes meant the angle ended up being too shallow.
I'd say it needs to be right next to the existing hole.
I'm not sure having a choice of holes would do much good - I think the stand will only work within a very limited range of angles (about the width of two adjacent holes).

 

[Tasjii]

Still don't think sax will be nocked off stand,put in corner of room.

That would only work if there was a corner to put the sax in

 

[Tasjii]

Locoparasaxo

Jx

Lovely looking sax wall mounted stands....

 

[Tasjii]

The saxrax is built like a tank....with a price tag to match though ~ £72.00

That one looks very stable, one to consider I think.

 

[Tasjii]

After all your lovely replies I think I should look for a wall mounted sax stand. I know my dogs and my youngest is quite bouncy and loves to play and pounce, so I think a floor stand would be too risky. Especially as my study is not that big with cupboards and a large workbench taking up most of the available room. I do have a lovely chimney breast that I could mount a wall stand to (it is the back of a chimney). Thank you all for your input.

 

[thomsax]

At home I store most of my saxes in thier cases. When I'm out playing I use a Hercules. It's good stand. I don't like to have my best saxes on a "sway"stand when I'm playing at the local pub ... . YTS 25 and Hercules are perfect to bring to the pub. If I bring my baritone, my wife use to hold it! Or a person that I hire for one hour. Much, much better than a stand. 😉 A baritone sax is expensive and so are the best stands. A £ 4000.00 bari on £ 50.00 stand. No way!

 

[Karolis]

I find a combination of this stand:
K&M 14300 Tenor/Alt Sax Stand
and this T-shirt :
TOUCH THE TENOR SAX AND DIE (saxophone mouthpiece poster professional) T-SHIRT | eBay

works best for me during gigs. If your dogs can read you should be ok too...

 

[Stephen Howard]

Agree - Hercules is a nice stand, but a bit too upright. I'm planning to take the 'U' shaped arm holder off of the base and make a new one with different holes locations for the sax arm detents to snap into so the sax leans a bit more forward.

I took some shots of my stand, with the modified detent.

It's just a tad too upright in the standard position (shot1)
Shot2 is where I reckon it would work better
Shot3 is where I put the second hole - and as you can see, the angle of the stand is now too shallow.

It comes apart easily enough, so I might have the holes welded up and have another go - or I might think about joining the two and fitting some sort of adjustable detent.

 

[StageFright]

......................

It comes apart easily enough, so I might have the holes welded up and have another go - or I might think about joining the two and fitting some sort of adjustable detent.

I agree. I don't have a welder, so I'm just going to bend up another piece. The hole only needs to move a couple of mm's to put the sax at a better angle.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Thanks, Any suggestions for good wall mounted stands?

I use a Locoparasaxo, it's a wonderful stand.

 

[jbtsax]

The K & M "Midge" stands for alto and tenor are the best I have ever owned. The low center of gravity makes them very stable, and the best part is that they go into a bag that fits inside the bell.

 

[Stephen Howard]

I agree. I don't have a welder, so I'm just going to bend up another piece. The hole only needs to move a couple of mm's to put the sax at a better angle.

Here's a thought - and one I'll try myself. If you only need to shift the angle of the stand a tad, why not just put a bit of packing underneath the U channel?
Ideally a wedge would make for a better job, but I reckon a large washer would work, and the existing (front) bolt could go right through it.

I think this'll work - and if it does, I'll be kicking myself for not seeing it sooner.