Ultimate Support no longer makes them, and I think they were the only one who did, but I may be wrong.
Found nothing on eBay, not that I would ever buy from there, but I looked there anyways.
I'm talking about the old-fashioned a-frame keyboard stands of years past. I need to go with multiple tiers in my studio setup and would rather not get into carpentry or metalwork to build my own stand. I used to have an older setup with a 48" wide Ultimate Support Systems a-frame with multiple tiers and a side support half tier for my laptop computer. Sold that off many years ago. It wouldn't have accomodated my Motif 7 anyway as it's wider than 48". I would need a 60" wide stand which I know USS used to make. They no longer list anything of the sort on their website. Anybody know of a stash somewhere?
I don't like the newer stands as they're not really all that sturdy especially for a large keyboard like a Mo7. I know, I know, the groups that tour use the single column stands a lot, but then you never see them really get into playing with any emotion. And if you do, you see the 'boards really wobble. And multiple tiers? That's even more unstable. I want something I can pound on day-after-day in the studio and not have to worry about it crashing down. I want something that I don't have to worry if I brush into it walking past things will come tumbling down like Humpty-Dumpty.

I have one of those large Ultimate A Frame keyboard stands here in my studio. Too bad they don't make them anymore. I remember having a hard time finding one even back in 2002 when I bought it. I had to special order it from some on-line retailer. I agree almost everything else pales in comparison. Too flimsy. Sorry - don't have a stash or know where else to go. Good luck finding one. Keep checking eBay. That might be your best bet.

Do you mean something like this...

* On-Stage A-Frame Multi-Tier Keyboard Stands

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar 8 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/ - http://www.musictechshop.com/ - http://www.cooltechshop.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/

ORIGINAL: garrigus

Do you mean something like this...

* On-Stage A-Frame Multi-Tier Keyboard Stands

Scott

Close but not quite what I need. There is conflicting info on OnStage's site - the downloadable pdf for the stands says they are wide enough for a 76 key keyboard, and the keyboard stand product brochure on their site says the a-frame stands are only 48" wide which is not enough for my Motif 7 which is a 76 key piece. Also, they don't have the add-on pieces like the half tiers (single arm setups that attach to one upright and can be used for things like a computer, mixers, etc.
Oh well, the search continues. Thanks for the info though. BTW, just ordered your Sonar 8 book - hope it's as good as the others you've written. They've saved my bacon more than once.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah to all.

If you were closer, I'd just make you one...


I've been thinking of changing my focus on automotive fabrication to making custom stage gear anyway!

Hi Jack,

Sorry that stand wasn't what you needed. I'll keep an eye out...

In the meantime, thanks for purchasing my book! I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Holidays!
Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar 8 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/ - http://www.musictechshop.com/ - http://www.cooltechshop.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/

ORIGINAL: jackn2mpu

ORIGINAL: garrigus

Do you mean something like this...

* On-Stage A-Frame Multi-Tier Keyboard Stands

Scott

Close but not quite what I need. There is conflicting info on OnStage's site - the downloadable pdf for the stands says they are wide enough for a 76 key keyboard, and the keyboard stand product brochure on their site says the a-frame stands are only 48" wide which is not enough for my Motif 7 which is a 76 key piece. Also, they don't have the add-on pieces like the half tiers (single arm setups that attach to one upright and can be used for things like a computer, mixers, etc.
Oh well, the search continues. Thanks for the info though. BTW, just ordered your Sonar 8 book - hope it's as good as the others you've written. They've saved my bacon more than once.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah to all.

Not meaning to be a smart a$$, but couldn't you put the wider keyboard on the top tier and let it extend over the ends? Or, if you got this stand, you would have the important hardware pieces, and it would certainly be easy enough to buy 60" pieces of aluminum tubing in the right diameter. You could get them from someone like Gibraltar (drum racks) or NRS (raft frames.).

Good Luck

Not meaning to be a smart a$$, but couldn't you put the wider keyboard on the top tier and let it extend over the ends? Or, if you got this stand, you would have the important hardware pieces, and it would certainly be easy enough to buy 60" pieces of aluminum tubing in the right diameter. You could get them from someone like Gibraltar (drum racks) or NRS (raft frames.).

Good Luck

Don't think I hadn't thought about that first statement before. Problem with these type of racks is I would have to have the keyboard tilted up to an unplayable angle (almost vertical), not too mention even keeping the keyboard in place and not falling off the rack. Can't bolt a keyboard down.
Good idea on your second thought. I would still need extra support bars and clamps for the half-tiers for the computer and music scores.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah to all!

If you were closer, I'd just make you one...
I've been thinking of changing my focus on automotive fabrication to making custom stage gear anyway!

Ron, that's not a bad idea if you've got the equipment. You could build to order and wouldn't need to inventory a lot of stock.

These Apex single-column stands everybody's using now are crap, and are popular solely because they fold up into themselves for transport. That, and they look kinda cool. But if somebody were to come up with a sturdier design that could also fold up, I'd buy one!

I dragged around A-frame stands for years and use an X-style stand now. Both are a hassle to fit into a van. I've actually made vehicle purchases based on the width of the cargo door, so as to accommodate the keyboard stand.

The first stand I bought was around 1978. It was the first stand I'd ever seen, and it was meant to be a display rack for music stores. It was heavy and required tools to assemble, but I bought it immediately. The salesman was taken by surprise when I asked how much for the stand - it wasn't even intended for resale. But he sold it to me for $130 after first checking to make sure he could get another one. A lot of players came up and asked me where I got it. Something like that might be a solution for the OP.

ORIGINAL: bitflipper

I dragged around A-frame stands for years and use an X-style stand now. Both are a hassle to fit into a van.

I wouldn't want to have to move this Ultimate A-frame stand on a regular basis. It's not designed for rapid set up and tear down. The one I have is a permanent fixture here in my studio. I suppose that's maybe why they stopped making them.