Guitar Stand (pics)

[Bill Grumbine]

Greetings all

Here are some pictures of a piece I recently completed. I could have posted them a bit earlier, but it was involved in a contest on a different forum. Now that the winners are announced, I can post it. I did not take first place (I got second), but there was no shame in coming in behind the first place winner, which was a real beauty.

<img src="http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/walnutguitarstand01.jpg">

Here is my effort. I built this for our second daughter, who wanted it to hold her guitar when she plays at church. My design philosophy was, "If the Shakers built guitar stands, what would they look like? This has the Shaker cyma leg as its main support.

<img src="http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/walnutguitarstand02.jpg">


The third leg is collapsible to make the thing easier to transport, and it also locks in place for moving around with one hand.

<img src="http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/walnutguitarstand03.jpg">

Well, it's got some rat in it. The knob that locks the leg in place is turned and has a threaded insert in it. I looked all over for brass carriage bolts, but have not found them yet. I thought I used to be able to get them somewhere, but that may be old age creeping up, or I may have actually gotten them and can't anymore (again, old age!).

The wood is walnut with a walnut aniline dye, pores filled with Bartley's Dark Mahogany gel varnish, and two more coats of clear gel varnish. I have orders for three more already, and I will never use that stupid stick on felt again. The next ones will be painted and flocked with the appropriate colors in the appropriate places.

Thanks for taking a look.

Bill

[Jim Becker]

Outstanding, Bill...and it has a nice Shaker "feel" to it, too. Congrats on your nice placing in the contest, too.

[Dick Parr]

It looks great Bill. I'm glad to see there was a little turning involved. :p

[Mark Singer]

Bill,
Great work! Great design also

[Michael Ballent]

Looks great Bill. Nice work as usual :D

[Roger Fitzsimonds]

That is some very fine wood working Bill. Congratulations on second place.

Roger

[James Giordano]

That's very cool. I bet your daughter loves it. I know I do.

[Mark J Bachler]

Real nice job. Looks like it would be very stable.
I need to make a stand (table) to put the lap steel on and room for a row harmonicas in the front.


and of course a place to put my beer.

[Greg Tatum]

Quite nice Bill....how does the rear support lock in place?

Greg

[Jason Tuinstra]

Bill, I agree with Jim, it has a real nice Shaker look to it. Great job!

[Bill Grumbine]

Thanks everyone! She does like it, although she accused me of finishing it for the contest and not for her!

Greg, the leg locks into place with the knob on the back. It is split into two pieces along the back so that it has some spring to it, and then it is drilled out so that a carriage bolt passes through it and a knuckle, or whatever it is called. The leg opens to a certain angle, where it is stopped by the bevel on the top end of the leg meeting the back of the post. By tightening the knob, the leg will "clamp down" on the knuckle and remain in whatever position it is in. That way whoever is using it can pick up their guitar in one hand, the stand in the other, and move them both without the leg flopping around loose. It also makes it easier to transport.

Bill

[Greg Tatum]

Thanks Bill, I can picture that.

Greg

[Sparky Paessler]

Bill

That looks great! Love your design. I may have to borrow it to make one for my son's Guitar. Your work is alway's inspiring.

[Tyler Howell]

Bill, It makes music of its own.;)

[Alan Tolchinsky]

It has a very sophistocated look to it and the folding leg is ingenious. Alan in Md.

[John Miliunas]

Well, I should HOPE that 1st place was truly spectacular, as that piece is simply wonderful! And I mean that quite literally: Simple AND wonderful! :) Yet, the whole piece kind of flows into each "corner" with a real purpose. Very well done, my friend! Too bad they didn't have a "place" between 1st and 2nd, as I'll bet that's where you'd have ended up! :cool:

[Brad Schmid]

What a great piece Bill, I like it alot!

Curiosity question - how is the cradle for the guitar neck attached? Is it mortise and tenon? Through tenon wedged from the back? or...

I was just reading a Shaker design book the other day that discussed designing Shaker style pieces that the Shaker's didn't build. For me, your post was quite timely :cool:

Brad

[Bill Grumbine]

Thanks guys. I'm in the process of making some templates for it now. No. 2 is going to be ordered on Saturday now, and with two more for consignment, I am going to be busy with them! Now I have to start thinking about a stand for music!

Brad, I am almost embarrassed to say that the cradle for the neck is held on with a screw! :eek: The pegs on which the body rests are through wedged tenons, easy enough to make on the Legacy or the lathe, but when I got to the neck, I decided that in the interest of time, I was just going to screw it on. Well that was way before the contest was even announced and I got bogged down on the knuckle for the back. I am not sure how I am going to do it, but if these things go into production, and I have to meet the price point the music store is considering, they are all going to be attached with screws and the holes covered with plugs. I have to talk to them about that because I already got more than they expect for copy #2, and the person who is buying it is familiar with my work, and expected it to be even more than I charged!

Bill

[Jim Becker]

Bill, I see no harm in using a screw when it's an effective way to make the joint work, especially in "production work" if using some other non-metal method will take more time than you can budget given the price you will receive.

I really like this design...'may want to "license" it for one of my own! :D

[Brad Schmid]

Thanks Bill - In my opinion, you have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, as I'm sure you know, the Shakers used steel screws in their work for certain tasks so for me, I think your choice may actually align better with Shaker authenticity than spending a bunch of time on more complex joinery. Again, very nice and obviously an inspiration to us all.

Brad

[keith zimmerman]

Elegant Bill, simply elegant. Magnificent workmanship. And here all I thought you did these days was turning.

Congrats on the results of the contest.

keithz