When picking up everything they need to get started, beginner guitarists might forget about the humble guitar stand. While it's not quite as exciting as a distortion pedal, a guitar stand is invaluable since it securely plants your instrument in one spot, keeping it safe from harm and on display - it also makes it far easier to pick up your guitar and play than tucking it away in a gig bag or case.
Guitar Stands
So, what do you do with your guitar when you've finished playing for the day? Stash it in a gig bag or case? Great! Your guitar is safely tucked away and kept dust and scratch free. But your guitar is a stunning work of art that should always be on display and, more importantly, ready for action! Basically, if your guitar is sitting on a stand in the corner of your room, you're far more likely to want to grab it and spit a few licks - and the more you play, the better you'll get. If you're not keen on keeping your guitar on a floor-stand, you could opt for a purpose-designed wall hook and mount your axe on the wall, safely out of the way of the dog. And, if you're regularly swapping guitars on stage, a single or even multi-guitar stand is an absolute must.
Can You Put an Electric & Acoustic Guitar on the Same Stand?
Yes and no. A lot of guitar stands will be universal, so you can use them to store an acoustic or electric guitar - or even a bass guitar. But some stands come fitted with lower supports that will only fit the thinner body of an electric guitar. You might have a guitar with a really uncommon body shape, like a Flying V, in which case, you'll need to seek out a stand that's designed exclusively for your model or other models like it, or a stand that's set up so that your guitar hangs from the neck, just below the headstock. Just make sure to double check that the stand is high enough, so the base of the body isn't touching the ground.
Universal Guitar Stands: A-Frames, Tripods, Floor-Stands & Playing Stands
A floor stand is a free-standing guitar stand that supports the back and base of the instrument, which sits on the frame in a vertical position. A classic example is an A-frame guitar stand, which simply folds out to form a triangular stand. There are also tripod stands which have a hook that cups the neck of the guitar just below the headstock to suspend it vertically. Most tripod and A-stands are easily folded down so they're also pretty tour-friendly. Then there are specialised playing stands, which are designed to hold a guitar horizontally and at playing height so guitarists can play it standing up and without a strap, so they can even swap guitars halfway through a song.
Hanging Guitar Stands
If you have a guitar with an irregular body shape, then a hanging stand is usually a good solution since it cups the neck of the guitar, just below the headstock to suspend it. Just make sure to pick a stand that's high enough so that the body doesn't touch the ground, and that the neck of your guitar isn't so thin that it's in danger of slipping through the cup. There are some hanging stands that feature a special grip, which literally holds the neck in place for an extra level of security.
Double, Triple & Multi-Guitar Stands
If you're lucky enough to have more than one guitar, then a stand that's able to support your entire collection is pretty much an essential guitar accessory. You can get multi-guitar stands able to support two or three, or even nine guitars. You can get universal multi-guitar stands designed to support acoustic guitars and basses as well as electric guitars. Since multi-guitar stands are usually designed for gigging bands, they're easily folded down into a neat and tour-friendly package.
Fold-Up Stands for Travelling Guitarists
If you're on the road a lot, then a stand that can fold down into a compact and manageable package is a must-have. Luckily, most guitar stands already have convenience built into the design and will fold down. Fold down a tripod guitar stand and it'll take up less space in the van than a microphone stand, while A-stands are folded once into a flat and neat package.
Functional Metal or Decorative Wood?
A lot of guitar stands are made from metal, since it's the most durable and easy material to work with when building a practical, fold-down stand. But if you're putting your vintage LP or Tele on display in the living room, you might want something with more style, like a wooden stand. There are plenty of stands like this available, all made from different woods and carved or cut into various unique shapes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guitar Stands
What's a good guitar stand?
A good guitar stand simply supports your instrument without letting it slip and fall to the ground. Basically, it's best to seek out a stand that's definitely compatible with your guitar. Of course, if you shake most guitar stands enough, eventually the guitar will topple, so if you have a really expensive model, it's recommended to spend a little more money for a stand that really grips your guitar in place.
How much does a guitar stand cost?
A simple guitar stand can set you back less than a tenner. More expensive stands can go for anything from £20 to a couple of hundred. More expensive stands are made from extra-strong and stable materials and are usually multi-guitar stands designed to support two or more guitars.
