Stands are invaluable accessories for musical instruments, including guitar and bass guitars. A proper stand will hold the guitar or bass in place safely and securely between uses, which is advisable at home, in the studio and even in certain live situations.
Since guitar and bass are so popular, it makes sense that there are plenty of stand options to choose from on the market. With such a wide variety of stands, knowing the top brands is useful.
Of course, the brand is far from the most important aspect of a guitar stand, though it's still worth considering for general knowledge and judgement. In this article, I'll share my take on the top guitar and bass stand brands.
Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I've done my best to list out these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order):
- Company reputation
- Performance of the guitar/bass stands
- Longevity of the guitar/bass stands
- Variety of guitar/bass stands available
- Accessibility of the guitar/bass stands (how easy they are to find/buy)
- The company must currently be in operation
With all that being said, let's list out the brands.
The top 11 best guitar and bass stand brands are:
- Hercules Stands
- Ultimate Support
- K&M
- Gator Frameworks
- Gravity Stands
- Quik Lok
- On-Stage
- Zither
- Yorkville
- Fender
- Hamilton Stands
Let's get into each of these brands in greater detail and explain why they belong in the top 11 best guitar and bass stand brands. I'll share their country of origin, a bit of history, an example of a notable stand, and a link to their official website.
Related My New Microphone articles:
• Top 13 Best Electric Guitar Brands In The World
• Top 13 Best Acoustic Guitar Brands In The World
• Top 13 Best Electric Bass Guitar Brands In The World
• Top 10 Best Guitar/Bass Amp Stand Brands On The Market
Click here to return to My New Microphone's articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.
Hercules Stands
The boom in popularity Hercules has experienced in the last years isn't only because they offer great stands but also because they were the inventors of the self-locking system in which the guitar stays locked inside the stand with its own weight. Moreover, since the design involves neck hanging, the stand can fit all guitar shapes, including acoustics.
If you often go to concerts, look on stage to see if you find Hercules' proprietary yellow colour. You'll be amazed to see how many modern top-notch artists choose them to keep their instruments safe.
Notable stand: Hercules Stands GS412B Plus (link to check the price at Guitar Center)
The GS412 is the design that got it all started for the brand. To begin with, it features the auto-grip system to lock the guitar in place with its own weight. Also, it features a padded rest to hold the guitar and prevent it from hitting the base of the stand. Finally, you can fold it and get it ready for touring since it becomes a very small addition to your gear.
Official website: herculesstands.com
Parent company: KHS Music Group
Hercules Stands is a subsidiary of the Taiwan-based KHS Musical Group, founded in 1930. Nowadays, headquarters are in Taipei, Taiwan.
Hercules Stands is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Ultimate Support
In-house design is the secret to explaining Ultimate Support's success story. Indeed, from early on, the company decided to invest heavily in the R&D department equipping it with CNC machines, modelling software, and hiring a team of notables.
The result is a catalogue full of smart solutions for musicians' common problems. Therefore, if you come across the Ultimate Support logo, you can be sure that your instrument is safe.
Notable stand: Ultimate Support GS-55 (link to check the price at Sweetwater)
The GS-55 is the smallest guitar stand on this list, completely foldable to occupy the least space possible and sturdy enough to take care of any issues you might have with your guitar on stage. Furthermore, the patented locking system for the legs adds stability, while the protective padding makes sure your instrument doesn't get blemished or scratched. Finally, it only weighs 1.5 kg.
Official website: ultimatesupport.com
Ultimate Support was founded by Darrell Schoenig in 1977. Currently, the headquarters are in Loveland, Colorado, USA.
Ultimate Support is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
K&M
When reliability is combined with simplicity and sturdiness, the result becomes the go-to choice for pro musicians around the world. That is exactly the reputation that K&M has amassed during the past 70 years.
Still, K&M's reputation is not an overnight phenomenon; on the contrary, it is the result of a groundbreaking approach to production. Indeed, the German company manufactures every product in-house to the last bolt. That way, they can ensure every product bears the legendary K&M quality.
Notable stand: K&M 17580 (link to check the price on Amazon)
A-shaped guitar stands are great for solid body guitars because it offers a sturdy cradle where your guitar can be locked in and stay safe during the entire show. But, as K&M usually does, this guitar stand goes the extra mile by adding an adjustable crossbar that can make the stand adapt to the specific shape and size of your instrument. Finally, as a bonus, it features pick holders on both sides.
Official website: k-m.de
Karl König and Erich Meyer founded K&M in 1949. Currently, headquarters are in Wertheim am Main, Germany.
König & Meyer is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Gator Frameworks
Father and daughter founded this company as a small family project that could be made in the garage during the weekends. Before they knew it, the success of Gator products took them to NAMM and worldwide distribution. Nowadays, 20 years after its foundation, the company manufactures over 1,000 products for professional musicians around the world.
The subdivision created for heavy-duty products that the music industry needs under the name Gator Frameworks is a synonym for road-worthy products that can not only withstand the roughness of the road but also protect your loved possessions from the hazards of touring.
Notable stand: Gator Frameworks GFW-GTR-1000 Single Guitar Stand (link to check the price on Amazon)
Utilizing the quintessential shape of a guitar stand with a long neck, this single guitar stand by Gator Frameworks is among the sturdiest of its kind in the market. The heavy-duty steel tubing construction is as lightweight as it is sturdy. Moreover, the rubber feet make it perfectly stable when placed on stage, regardless of the surface. Finally, the padded cradle for the guitar and neck restraint is perfect for keeping your instrument in optimum condition until the last date of the tour.
Official website: gatorframeworks.com
Gator was founded by Jerry Freed and Crystal Morris in the year 2000. Currently, headquarters are in Columbia City, Indiana, USA.
Gator is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Gravity Stands
The Adam Hall Group was chosen by The Rolling Stones for collaboration. That fact alone can tell you about the company's position within the music industry. Moreover, that 2014 collaboration with one of the biggest bands in history resulted from decades of hard work and dedication to create the best stands in the world.
Nowadays, the company represents the pinnacle of what German precision can accomplish, packed in a groundbreaking catalogue full of state-of-the-art creations. If you're looking for a reliable, perfectly-made stand that can endure the hardships of the road, Gravity needs to be on your list.
Notable stand: Gravity Stands WMB 01 EB (link to check the price at B&H Photo/Video)
The WMB 01 EB is a Wall holder that works great in houses and businesses that want to showcase the beauty of their six-string instruments. This is because it allows guitars to be displayed horizontally anywhere while holding them strongly with an anti-slide treatment and a structure made of aluminum and steel. Finally, the plain construction allows you to choose the angle of inclination while keeping it close to the wall and safe.
Official website: gravitystands.com
Parent company: Adam Hall Group
Gravity Stands is a subsidiary of the Adam Hall Group founded in 1980 by David John Kirby. Currently, the company's headquarters are in Neu Anspach, Germany.
Gravity Stands is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Quik Lok
Quik-Lok not only manufactures some of the best stands in the market, but they are also responsible for some of the most groundbreaking innovations in terms of stands in the world. For example, if you play with keyboardists often, you might have noticed that good-quality stands have a disc in the middle to adjust the opening angle easily. Quik-Lok invented that.
With the same passion for innovation, flawless quality, and obsessive attention to detail that they innovated for keyboardists, they approach guitar stands to create sturdy, easy-to-carry pieces.
Notable stand: Quik-Lok GI8 (link to check the price on Amazon)
This disk-shaped Quik-Lok stand is perfect for the guitar player on the move because it folds to become as big as a plate you can put behind the amp, inside the gig bag, in a backpack, or even with your pedalboard. The disk unfolds and holds the guitar from both sides of the body and behind the neck. Finally, it is a safe and solid solution that weighs only 670 grams.
Official website: quiklok.com
Quik-Lok was founded in 1983. Currently, the company's headquarters are in Recanati, Italy.
Quik Lok is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
On-Stage
Smart solutions to common problems are usually a winning ticket regardless of the industry. The smart solution On-Stage invented to solve user problems better and more efficiently was to open an inbound channel through their retailers. That way, the company got access to first-hand data about the performance of its products.
Utilizing the information gathered, the R&D department was able to improve the solutions provided by the company making better stands to fulfill musicians' and sound professionals' exact needs.
Nowadays, On-Stage is synonymous with performance, endurance, and flawless quality.
Notable stand: On-Stage GS7140 (link to check the price on Amazon)
The revolutionary design of this stand incorporates a spring-loaded yoke that locks the guitar into place. Once the guitar is completely set, both elements (guitar and stand) can be moved together as a single unit. Moreover, the non-slip rubber feet help stability, and the padding in every spot where the guitar and stand touch helps protect your guitar finish from blemishes, scratches, and such. Finally, the single-arm upper yoke works with most cutaway guitars on the market.
Official website: on-stage.com
Parent company: Jam Industries
On-Stage is a division of Jam Industries, founded by Marty Golden in 1972. On-Stage was created in 1979, and its current headquarters are in Berlin, Germany.
On-Stage is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Zither
Zither started as a one-man dream of creating wooden stands that could accommodate his favourite instruments beautifully. Indeed, Tony was tired of black guitar stands made to be hidden in the dark. Thus, he set out to create the kind of stand he would like to display his favourite instrument in the living room of his house.
Word of mouth, effective marketing, and quality products took this brand to be the go-to option for guitar lovers, collectors, and professionals around the world. You won't find the quality Zither offers in any other stand on the market.
Notable stand: Zither Handcrafted Wood Guitar Stand (link to check the price at Sweetwater)
The flagship of the company is this awe-inspiring, handcrafted, all-wooden guitar stand that can be done with mahogany, walnut, maple, red oak, padauk, cherry, or purple heart. This stand is perfect for offset and odd-shaped guitars because they hang from the neck and have 38″ of space to show all their glory. Finally, each of the stands is handcrafted and hand-finished using the finest natural oil finishes.
Official website: zitherusa.com
Tony Meeks founded Zither in 2008. Currently, headquarters are in Brenham, Texas, USA.
Yorkville
Yorkville is a success story based on creating quality solutions to solve common problems. Indeed, not even a decade after selling its first stand, the company already had several offices in the USA and offices in Europe.
Nowadays, after over half a century of being on some of the most demanding stages on both sides of the ocean, churches, local fairs, and parties, this company is still innovating and trying to find more effective ways to solve the common problems of holding instruments and speakers on crowded stages.
Notable stand: Yorkville GS-307B (link to check the price at Musique Red One)
This stand is entirely made of tubular metal with foam-padded protectors that don't harm guitars finished with a nitrocellulose or any other fine finish. Moreover, the non-slip rubber feet add stability, while the foldable design is lightweight and perfect for carrying to every gig. Finally, this stand can accommodate up to 7 solid body electrics, acoustics, and basses.
Official website: yorkville.com
Yorkville was founded by Jack Long, Jack McQuade, and Pete Traynor in Toronto, Canada, in 1963. Currently, the company's headquarters are in Pickering, Ontario, Canada.
Yorkville is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Fender
Fender has been in the music DNA of the world for the past 70 years. Indeed, from creating two of the most-used guitars of all time (Telecaster and Stratocaster) to some of the most iconic amplifiers, basses, and even keyboards, Fender has shaped the way music sound in the biggest stages of the world since the early fifties.
As a company that has manufactured guitars for generations, the design of Fender's stands is up to the needs of some of the most important guitar players in the world who swear by their instruments. Fender is a brand you can trust to protect your favourite instrument while on the stage or at home.
Notable stand: Fender Mini Stand (link to check the price at Sam Ash)
The Fender Mini Stand is the closest you can get to not taking a stand with you to the gig because it is virtually weightless and will take no extra room in your gear. The sturdy steel frame and scratch-resistant foam padding will take great care of your instrument in any scenario. Finally, it comes with a convenient carrying bag so you can easily store it and take it everywhere.
Official website: fender.com
Fender was founded by Clarence Leonidas Fender in 1946. Currently, headquarters are in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Fender is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Hamilton Stands
Hamilton is one of the oldest music instrument companies in the US. It has seen more stages than any other brand still in business. That century-long of experience and relentless innovation has made the name of Hamilton Stands a synonym for quality, endurance, and performance.
It was Hamilton Stands that invented the neck-suspending guitar neck, which has spawned similar products in brands like Hercules. Moreover, they also invented the “cradle” guitar stand supporting the body of the guitar in 1978.
Hamilton Stands is a company that continues to write music history after almost a century and a half of relentless innovation.
Notable stand: Hamilton Stands KB3500G (link to check the price on Amazon)
Part of Hamilton's Stage PRO series, this is a foldable stand that can fit in the pocket of your gig bag or backpack. Moreover, the three legs are foldable, and the back support cushion offers good support with a large, spherical soft rubber, so your guitar will always be ready to go and utterly secure. Finally, all metal parts are finished using a durable black powder coating.
Official website: hamiltonstands.com
Hamilton Stands was founded by the Krauth and Benninghofen families in 1883. Currently, headquarters are in Hamilton, Ohio, USA.
Hamilton Stands is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
This article has been approved in accordance with the My New Microphone Editorial Policy.