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Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:10 pm
by VJOFan
Anyone use a Hercules? Reliable?
I have memories of my high school section mate’s collapsible stand collapsing at all the wrong times.
There are “Yorkville” stands at half the price, but look a bit sturdier - no reviews anywhere.
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:32 pm
by OneTon
I had a Hamilton collapse with a Duo-Gravis on it. I don't think that the Hamilton was ever intended for anything bigger than a Conn 6H. I only use K & M 14990 heavy duty stands now, for everything. They are a little pricey. They give quite a bit of warning that something is getting tired. As opposed to catastrophic failure, with damage to the horn. Brass Exchange has them in stock.
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 3:24 pm
by hyperbolica
I have 2 Hercules stands - the grip stand and the in-the-bell stand. Neither one is a favorite. The grip stand is sturdy, but doesn't work for basses, and adjustment is weird. The in-the-bell stand is hard to collapse properly, and not very sturdy.
I find the K&M 14985 to be the most serviceable. Sturdy, portable, solid adjustment, safe for the horn.
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 7:03 pm
by tbonesullivan
I have used a K&M 14985 for my trombones at rehearsals and gigs for years. Never had a problem with tenor or double valve bass trombones.
At home I have two 14990 type stands, but they have legs that angle a bit at the end, so they aren't quite as low profile as the 14990s. I forget what model they are.
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 7:22 pm
by AtomicClock
hyperbolica wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2024 3:24 pm
The in-the-bell stand is hard to collapse properly, and not very sturdy.
I don't find the in-bell stand hard to collapse; though definitely not sturdy. The first time I used it I guess I put the horn away wet (with stand in bell), because the next day, the stand was coated in moisture and the paint had started to flake off. I guess most evaporation happens out the bell and through the porous case.
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 7:37 pm
by NotSkilledHere
I have the hercules stands that hold the horns by the grips. they are great for tenors but the problem is 2fold. it doesnt hold super narrow slides or bass trombones with the 3rd finger lever. It will hold basses with double thumb triggers fine. The other problem is if you have to expand the grip holders and it doesnt perfectly have a slot that fits your handslide perfectly the sitting position may be iffy. That being said, if it holds your horn, it holds it well!
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 7:38 pm
by hyperbolica
AtomicClock wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2024 7:22 pm
I don't find the in-bell stand hard to collapse; though definitely not sturdy. The first time I used it I guess I put the horn away wet (with stand in bell), because the next day, the stand was coated in moisture and the paint had started to flake off. I guess most evaporation happens out the bell and through the porous case.
I bought several pairs of dark colored tube socks (no heel) and put those over my stands to allow air flow and absorb moisture. I keep wanting to love an in-the-bell stand, but I haven't found one that really works for me yet. The Aida stand is the most portable (and pricy) stand I have. Then you have to get a case with a big outer pocket, or always carry an athletic bag full of accessories. I haven't bought one of those carbon fiber stands yet. I have this tendency to leave tbone stands at gig venues (I've lost 3 this way so far).
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 7:55 pm
by OneTon
I keep worn out 50% wool / 50% cotton military issue socks that don’t have much of a heel; Black for formal, O.D. Green otherwise. It reduces surface wear and absorbs moisture.
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 8:14 pm
by JLivi
I will never understand the hype behind Hercules trombone stands. The one that holds the horn by the slide is cool, and worked great for me during Covid when I had to play with a bell cover on my horn. Otherwise the K&M stands are far superior to the Hercules stand.
It's been a long time since I've used a Hercules stand, but that was my main stand in undergrad before it broke (and messed up my bell from living inside it while in the case - mostly my fault though).
If the Hercules stand was the same price as as Hamilton stand maybe I'd feel different, but it is far overpriced.
Side note, I saw Trombone Shorty in Chicago and watched him manhandle his Hercules stand because it broke after the first or second song. He lifted the stand over his head and smashed it on the ground. He then had to continue to use it since it was probably the only horn stand he had. So his trombone was lopsided the rest of the set
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 12:44 pm
by walldaja
I wanted to like the "in-bell" stand but it didn't work out. If you leave the horn in after playing you end up with condensation rusting the stand. In some cases where the bell is suspended away from the end of the case it could act as a jack hammer beating your bell as the case was moved.
I still use my "in bell" stand; but, it stays in my practice room and usually only has a straight horn on it.
I still use the Hercules stand that holds the slide but as already stated, adjustment is weird. It's my go to stand for my Shires in the practice room and during performances when the horn needs to be on the stand for a while.
I actually use a cheap On Stage stand for most portable venues where the horn will not be on the stand long. It's awkward because it's just something more to carry but gets the job done.
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 5:25 pm
by CalgaryTbone
JLivi wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2024 8:14 pm
I will never understand the hype behind Hercules trombone stands. The one that holds the horn by the slide is cool, and worked great for me during Covid when I had to play with a bell cover on my horn. Otherwise the K&M stands are far superior to the Hercules stand.
It's been a long time since I've used a Hercules stand, but that was my main stand in undergrad before it broke (and messed up my bell from living inside it while in the case - mostly my fault though).
If the Hercules stand was the same price as as Hamilton stand maybe I'd feel different, but it is far overpriced.
Side note, I saw Trombone Shorty in Chicago and watched him manhandle his Hercules stand because it broke after the first or second song. He lifted the stand over his head and smashed it on the ground. He then had to continue to use it since it was probably the only horn stand he had. So his trombone was lopsided the rest of the set
This is my experience too. I found an inexpensive Hercules stand (used) online that I left in the studio I teach in at the local University. It was a good choice when bell covers were the rule. As soon as the bell covers weren't a requirement anymore, i swapped it out for the old Hamilton that I had left there in previous years. It's easier getting the horn on and off from the stand and feels more stable. The Hercules feels heavy to me, and that coupled with the unsteadiness and the large footprint that it takes up on stage makes it a poor choice to bring to freelance jobs too. It's a big yellow paperweight in my studio at home.
Jim Scott
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2024 5:57 am
by mgladdish
I had a Hercules in-bell stand and it was fine for my 3b. Right up until it disintegrated inside my bell just before the gig was about to start. I had to lever the tuning slide off to push the remenants out of the bell from the other end! Never again.
If you're after a portable in-bell stand I'm a fan of the Woodwind Design carbon fibre stand. It's stupidly expensive, but works a treat.
https://woodwinddesign.com/product/trombone-stand/
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2024 6:46 am
by claf
I have 3 K&M (14985, 149/1 and 149/9) and they all are great.
The 149/1 is for my bass, it feels very sturdy and I can also put the large tenor on it.
The 149/9 is permanently in-use by the small bore tenor I keep ready for tooting at any time of the day, stays perfectly setup and feels also very sturdy.
The 14985 is for my 4-year old son's pbone, feels also quite sturdy.
I used Hercules stand a lot during my bass guitar years, they all eventually suffered a mechanical issue (springs or locks failing) at some point, and I had problems between the stands materials and the guitars necks that damaged the lacquer on it.
Re: Hercules trombone stand
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2024 6:49 am
by vetsurginc
OneTon wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:32 pm
I had a Hamilton collapse with a Duo-Gravis on it. I don't think that the Hamilton was ever intended for anything bigger than a Conn 6H. I only use K & M 14990 heavy duty stands now, for everything. They are a little pricey. They give quite a bit of warning that something is getting tired. As opposed to catastrophic failure, with damage to the horn. Brass Exchange has them in stock.
