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The stand construction thread


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I have a stand design I have used for over 20 years, that I have been meaning to post about. My current rig reconfiguration has caused me to mod it again, so here is some blather.

 

It is built mostly from a USS Apache 3 tier A frame I bought and used in the mid 80s. All the tubes, thumbscrews, and joints are original. I've added my own pieces over the years, and it's become an erector set.

 

When I make a new rig I move a few rubber bumpers, and maybe cut a few different length pieces to make it fit exactly.

 

 

The basic stand has an H leg with a single top tube and a braced X back, removeable with wing nuts.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/basic_stand.jpg

 

 

When I want a rig for standing, I substitute in longer legs. That takes no tools, just thumbscrews.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/tall_stand.jpg

 

 

It breaks down partially for quick load out in less than 30 seconds.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/half_broken_down.jpg

 

 

And it breaks down completely for carrying in a bag in another 60 seconds.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/broken_down.jpg

 

 

The 2 extra T connectors on the back are put on when I am building a 2 tier stand. A short pair of tube stubs stand in those. They are cut to length to be the same height as the top surface of the bottom keyboard, whatever that is.

 

Usually I build a very thin wooden tray with rubber underneath, that stands on those stubs and the back of the keyboard's top surface. On this project, I am trying something a little different, so they are tilted outward slightly.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/stubs.jpg

 

 

This time, they will hold up a pair of H beam rails. The project goal is to mount a Nord on top of the Mojo, both of which have lots of controls on top, which complicates things.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/rails.jpg

 

 

Why rails? I'm going to try to get a little tricky, and be able to easily move the Nord forward for piano centric activity. Stay tuned for updates...

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/mojo_rails_on.jpg

 

Moe

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Very nice. I've always been a fan of using the top of the bottom keyboard to help support the 2nd tier - leftover from the days of big keyboards with flat tops that served as the 2nd tier.

 

I noticed the pedal board in the back of photo #1. Love those left-footed volume pedals. :)

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The ability to slide the top board forward and back is a VERY novel idea and takes care of the issues of acces to lower tier controls.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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Good job Moe. Over the years I've been using USS parts to make custom stand configurations. They are extremely versatile. I was very disappointed when USS stopped selling their various connectors and raw pipes. Fortunately a couple of years ago I found someone on ebay selling a lot of parts and bought them. Looking around my room I'm now down to only one table-top riser but when I do change things up I know I can put together just about anything to suit my needs with these parts.
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I cut some simple wedges to try the concept, and it appears to work. It's a shame that you can't have it all and must instead trade reach for button access.

 

Piano forward:

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/nord_forward.jpg

 

 

Drawbars accessible - this would be my go to position if I had access to percussion and chorus vib. Piano is still playable from this position. Hmmm, need to move some controls down...

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/nord_dbs.jpg

 

 

All the way back - piano is too far back to comfortably play sitting down.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/nord_back.jpg

Moe

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Got construction finished tonight, and the pieces are ready to paint. It works as I hoped, so I'm looking forward to trying it with the band.

 

 

I built a wedge from oak and fastened an aluminum bracket to it.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/bracket.jpg

 

 

The wedge on it's bobsled run:

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/bracket_on.jpg

 

 

I added some adhesive backed felt to protect everything.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/felt.jpg

 

 

In action:

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/mounted_back.jpg

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/stand/mounted_mid.jpg

Moe

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So are the wood blocks just sitting on the "arms"? Is that the part that slides? Can you just lift it off.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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That is a really cool contraption. It's a little late now, but what if you were to mount the Nord on a couple of heavy duty rolling drawer tracks, so you could pull it forward with a flick of your wrist and then shove it back when you need more organ controls? Or does it already slide easily in the track you've built?
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Very nice. Your rig has inspired me to modify my second tier when my new keyboard arrives. I won't be using drawer tracks, but I will be using some of that heavy flat aluminum to extend the top keyboard closer. It's an electro 3 so it's pretty light. Do you get the adhesive-backed felt at places like Home Depot? I never noticed it before.
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does the 2nd tier wood wedge fasten to the slide rail, or is it just sitting on top loose?

 

I guess why does it need too, right?

 

You REALLY got my wheels turning with that top tier slide

-Greg

Motif XS8, MOXF8, Hammond XK1c, Vent

Rhodes Mark II 88 suitcase, Yamaha P255

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Moe, someday, I'd just like to come hang out at your shop for a day or so and learn stuff.

 

This!

Me too! I'll bring the beer. :thu:

 

Tom

 

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo
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Damn - the sliding top tier is a great idea!

I'm doing the same thing at home - sliding the top board back and forth on my Standtastic to access the panel of the lower board. But this looks so much nicer!

Too much stuff, too little time, too few gigs, should spend more time practicing...!  🙄

main instruments: Nord Stage 3 compact, Yamaha CP88, Kurzweil PC4, Viscount KeyB Legend Live

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Moe, that is awesome!!

 

One question: have you thought about some type of cap/cover for the rails out front?

I could see myself slicing my hand up when I get overly enthusiastic.

David

Gig Rig:Casio Privia PX-5S | Yamaha MODX+ 6 | MacBook Pro 14" M1| Mainstage

 

 

 

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Not wanting to de-rail Moe's thread, but have you seen this quite beautiful stand designed for Mikael Jorgensen of Wilco, by furniture makers UM Project

 

http://umproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/EVENT-PAGE-wilco.jpg

 

 

It highlights, once again, that we have been poorly served in the stand department.

 

No disrespect intended, Moe - your stand is beautiful too. Good on you for not putting up with the mediocrity of the off the shelf options.

My blog

Nord Electro 2 | microKorg | Casiotone MT-65 | Hammond XB-2 | Korg Electribe-R ER-1

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Not wanting to de-rail Moe's thread, but have you seen this quite beautiful stand designed for Mikael Jorgensen of Wilco, by furniture makers UM Project

 

http://umproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/EVENT-PAGE-wilco.jpg

 

 

 

It highlights, once again, that we have been poorly served in the stand department.

 

No disrespect intended, Moe - your stand is beautiful too. Good on you for not putting up with the mediocrity of the off the shelf options.

 

Really??

Sorry, don't mean to offend, but that's uglier than the DGX640 in the other thread!

Stan

Gig Rig: Yamaha S90 XS; Hammond SK-1; Rehearsal: Yamaha MOX8 Korg Triton Le61, Yamaha S90, Hammond XK-1

Retired: Hammond M2/Leslie 145, Wurly 200, Ensoniq VFX

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Well I don't know if this qualifies as "Stand Design". it's really a modification by adding a custom second tier to a W550.

View it here http://www.thedriveband.net/. The 550 is barely visible. The second tier supporting the XK-1 is 1" square aluminum bar stock in the form of a sideways "F" screwed to the 550. Of course it's not adjustable, but unless I get taller or shorter, I don't need it to be. :/

Stan

Gig Rig: Yamaha S90 XS; Hammond SK-1; Rehearsal: Yamaha MOX8 Korg Triton Le61, Yamaha S90, Hammond XK-1

Retired: Hammond M2/Leslie 145, Wurly 200, Ensoniq VFX

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