Stands & Racks

It’s important to consider what instrument or gear you’re supporting, how much support it needs and where you’re planning to use it. For example, an at-home solution might not be ideal for the stage. There are numerous styles for guitars and basses, including hanging stands (which support the instrument by its headstock), compact A-frame stands and tripod/folding options.

Microphone stand varieties include straight stands, boom stands (which are more versatile for microphone positioning), low-profile stands (often used for recording or amplifying guitar amps or kick drums) and desktop stands. For keyboard stands, you typically choose between X-, double-X, Z- or table-style construction.

Of course, you’ll want to consider the materials, physical footprint and weight capacity of the stand in question.

They often make a significant impact due to speaker positioning. For instance, putting a guitar amplifier on a stand can place the speaker closer to your ears, allowing you to hear yourself more easily. It can also affect how the floor absorbs or reflects sound and how much of that sound reaches the audience. (Your perspective on stage can often differ from someone’s in the crowd.) With a tube combo amp, putting it on a stand can help cut down on vibration reaching the tubes, since the speaker shakes the whole amp and the floor can make that shaking worse.

The specific placement of PA speaker stands can also affect projection. Of course, every venue is different, and that’s part of what makes sound checks so important.

You should pay special attention to stability, height adjustment and isolation. No one wants distracting vibrations in a recording, amps wobbling on their stands or vocal microphones that won’t stay in the right spot. Be sure to check the weight capacity of your stands, ensuring they can safely support your gear.

Make sure your stand or hanger is completely secure, stored in a safe environment and designed for your specific instrument. For stands, a great starting point is to place them away from heavy foot traffic or swinging doors. You also want to ensure that stands are fully opened and physically stable before you place any weight on them.

When it comes to string instruments, other crucial considerations are your instrument’s finish — is it compatible with the stand’s padding? — and the temperature and humidity of the storage environment. A general rule of thumb is to store your string instruments away from drafts and direct sunlight, in a room with about 45–55% relative humidity and a temperature of roughly 65–75°F. (For more on how to properly care for your guitar, check out our comprehensive guitar maintenance guide for beginners.)

You also never want to test the limits by overcrowding a multi-instrument stand. Space-saving wall hangers require their own list of checks. Make sure they can accommodate your instrument’s weight, are positioned out of harm’s way and are mounted to an appropriate structure. (More on that last point: Never assume you’re mounting a hanger properly. Always consult the manufacturer’s instructions.) In general, be thorough and cautious before placing your prized Les Paul on a hanger or your vintage synth on a stand.