If It's Good Enough For Bootsy...

Bootsy Collins - funk master

I walk into a local music store , Music Depot, hoping to find some new guitar stands.  The one's I have, while great for live, tend to get cables and stuff tangled up in the legs when I'm working in the studio.  I've had a couple of near miss guitar toppling disasters... At first glance, looking through the show room, I see pretty much the same design guitar stands I already own.  I'm about ready to turn to the exit when a flash of yellow catches my eye.  I look down to the floor, way down... The thing I'm looking at barely stands a foot tall.  Is that a guitar stand?, I think to myself.  Sure enough, upon further inspection, it is.  'Hercules model GS401B mini guitar stand', the label says.  I like to think by now I've become pretty familiar with most brands and products in the musical instrument market but I'd never heard of Hercules guitar stands before.  I certainly had never seen a guitar stand with such an interesting design either.  I ask the salesman if this is a new company.  'Oh, they've been around for years', he replies.  I'm blown away.  How have I not been aware of this company?, I ponder...

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GS402B collapsable mini guitar stand.

I test them out, I purchase three, I take them back to the studio.  Wanting to find more information I find the Hercules website.  I click on the 'Hercules Artists' link... Don't know why, I hardly ever check to see who endorses a company's products. Nevertheless, I scroll slightly down and BAM!  Bootsy Collins... BOOTSY COLLINS!  The master of funk endorses these!?  Totally sold, end of story.  I used to love watching Bootsy when I was a high schooler. There was a certain series of videos where he described his sound and technique... "Check out my fuzz!", he'd say as he stepped on his Electro-Harmonix Big Muff pedal throwing his bass into total distortion.  Those where the days...
 
I realize that blogging about a guitar stand is probably not the most exiting thing for most of you. But, hey! Finding such an innovative, well build, space saving device is a godsend when trying to line up guitar recording options in the studio.  For those with similar needs, I recommend these... Hercules model GS401B (fits acoustic guitars) or model GS402B (electrics only).

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The 'Three Headed Hydra' of my electric guitar arsenal. Sitting on Hercules mini guitar stands. From left to right: 'Engedi One', 'Smoothie' and 'Kate.'

-As you can see, these stands don't get in the way.  The legs are nearly flat to the ground where no guitar/mic cords can get caught up in them.  When I'm ready to try a different guitar out for a part I can quickly grab one off it's stand.  No more wrestling a guitar away from a stand with a traditional, but cumbersome, head-stock support/guard.  The stands are made out of steel tubing, bolts and quick locking pins; definitely built to last. Hercules makes all sorts of other musical instrument stands as well.  Check them out. . . And just remember, If the Hercules brand is good enough for Bootsy, it's good enough for you and me!