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Hercules Stands DS420B Trombone Stand
I got this on recommendation from a fellow player, so expected a well finished and reliable product.
On mine, the extendable tube was very stiff and the release button at the top difficult to operate. One drip of machine oil loosened it, but should this have been required on a brand new item ?
I also found that the locking mechanism on the cone shaped support that slides up and down the central rod did not work, so that the cone would not stay in position under the weight of the trombone. I was careful not to get oil on the rod, so this was not the cause. It is a rather basic design and relies simply on friction between the plastic knob on the end of the lever and the rod. I could probably fix it by roughening the rod/knob in some way, but that would invalidate the guarantee, so it will have to go back for replacement.
The general level of service provided by Thomann to my order was exemplary, so I expect they will respond very positively to this difficulty, and if so, I would not hesitate to use them again.
2 weeks later, I can say that Thomann sent me a return slip and replaced the stand, so they get full marks for that. I can now see that the problem on the old stand was that the clearance on the locking knob was just a bit too small to allow the lever to be pushed into its locking position. More force might have done it, but neither I nor my colleague who has had one of these Hercules stands for 2 years could operate it. The lock on the new stand is just workable. The operating lever is short and awkward to get at being next to the base of the sliding cone, so it requires strong fingers. In fact, I was afraid that I might break it in forcing it to lock. However, after a few tries, it works, and may ease up a bit with use. The design concept is OK, and overall its a good quality stand and sturdily built, but the lock mechanism needs improvement in my view.
On mine, the extendable tube was very stiff and the release button at the top difficult to operate. One drip of machine oil loosened it, but should this have been required on a brand new item ?
I also found that the locking mechanism on the cone shaped support that slides up and down the central rod did not work, so that the cone would not stay in position under the weight of the trombone. I was careful not to get oil on the rod, so this was not the cause. It is a rather basic design and relies simply on friction between the plastic knob on the end of the lever and the rod. I could probably fix it by roughening the rod/knob in some way, but that would invalidate the guarantee, so it will have to go back for replacement.
The general level of service provided by Thomann to my order was exemplary, so I expect they will respond very positively to this difficulty, and if so, I would not hesitate to use them again.
2 weeks later, I can say that Thomann sent me a return slip and replaced the stand, so they get full marks for that. I can now see that the problem on the old stand was that the clearance on the locking knob was just a bit too small to allow the lever to be pushed into its locking position. More force might have done it, but neither I nor my colleague who has had one of these Hercules stands for 2 years could operate it. The lock on the new stand is just workable. The operating lever is short and awkward to get at being next to the base of the sliding cone, so it requires strong fingers. In fact, I was afraid that I might break it in forcing it to lock. However, after a few tries, it works, and may ease up a bit with use. The design concept is OK, and overall its a good quality stand and sturdily built, but the lock mechanism needs improvement in my view.
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SK
Nice overall!
Ok, overall this is a good product. Although it took me a while how to grip this stand, I now use it every day and it is very comfortable and steady! It also looks really really good! Well, the best feature is that it can be folded and carried with you, as it can be fitted in the bell of the trombone. It won’t scratch it, as it has a velvet pocket with it!. Let me tell you that most accidents (scratches) actually happen when you leave your trombone around with no protection or stand! So, it worth the extra 10-15 Euros after all.
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D
Good stand
I've been gigging with this stand for about a year now. The first thing you notice about the stand is that it is very good quality and the cloth case is useful. Mine's not really showing any signs of wear after 12 months. The base is really solid as are the legs. The top of the stand is a tiny bit wobbly when extended but this isn't really a problem. The biggest downside is the weight. You store it in the bell so it does make the case a lot heavier.
I went for this one as a cheaper alternative to the K&M model and the quality is just as good. If you do a lot of walking with your case then it's probably worth paying the extra for the lighter K&M. Mine is usually just thrown in the car so it's not a problem for me.
I went for this one as a cheaper alternative to the K&M model and the quality is just as good. If you do a lot of walking with your case then it's probably worth paying the extra for the lighter K&M. Mine is usually just thrown in the car so it's not a problem for me.
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S
Lightweight and portable
By far the lightest and most convenient trombone stand. Fits easily into the bell so that you can transport it inside your trombone case. Although it's pretty stable, I find it doesn't feel quite as stable as a more heavy duty stand does. But if you're looking to reduce the weight you have to carry, it is worth it.
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