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Tigerfolly
03-19-2004, 12:19 PM
Not sure what most of you guys use for stands, but I knew exactly what stand I wanted when it came time to pick up gear for live use; the Ultimate AX-48 Apex stand.

http://exit3.i-55.com/~tigerfolly/media/ax48b.jpg

Of all of the stands I've come across in my sales days, this one was the only one that impressed me. I can't stand the little X stands, certain positions comprimise stability, and Z stands seem to be better for sitting down (though the widely available Z stand by OnStage has a crossbar that makes it very difficult to sit at), and for lower stand heights.

Some of my favorite keyboardists used the Apex (Kevin Moore and Roddy Bottum are just two of 'em), and I've always thought it looked really cool onstage.. but looking good and being functional are two different things. When I was at Guitar Center, we got the limited edition purple ones in and I always used 'em for displays. They were great to set up, were really stable, and allowed for some flexible setups with all kinds of different keyboards.

The only problems with them is that the tri-bars don't offer a tilt adjustment, and they're pretty expensive for just a stand. They list for $270, but they have a minimum price set at $169 (meaning, you can't haggle below that on a new stand at any stores).

However, while snooping around on Ebay for one, I found a seller in Florida who runs an Ebay store that has them for $129. If you want a new one, and want to save a few bucks, check 'em out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3712066453&category=41405

His website is http://www.studio34music.com.

And here's a couple pics of it in action with the tribute band I'm doing a few shows with.

http://home.comcast.net/~solar1243/fakeimages/showpics/o2chris1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~solar1243/fakeimages/showpics/penny1band8.jpg

-Tigerfolly

Spacehog
03-19-2004, 12:21 PM
I use the slimmed down version of that stand, the Deltex... much lighter, much cheaper, not quite as rugged but fine for a 61-note synth or two :)

Martin

Deceit
03-19-2004, 01:02 PM
You'd better go for QuikLok QL-642. It's double-welded, the tubes are hell-thick and it's simply impossible to break or bend. Many people I know have considered, in the past, to use it as a bed (mattress and pillow not included) :lol:.
I had the possibility to take a double Z stand like that you're talking about, but have chosen this one because you can tilt the second tier. This is much useful: if you use only one board, you can tilt it like Jens Johansson (and it is f***ing cool!); else you just mount the second tiers reversed so you can play with a slight tilt (I like it).
If you have to go for stability, double welded stands with a big base like Quiklok's really rock.
This all IMHO.
Deceit.

Shreddy
03-19-2004, 01:28 PM
I like my Ulitmate IQ-2000 its a great X-stand very adjustable. This stand is like a rock with my heavy ass XV-88 and Juno 6, the JV on the bottom is only about 20lbs but combined all this is over 150 lbs and no movement at all.

http://www.pbase.com/image/18301754/medium.jpg

YtsejAmir
03-19-2004, 08:49 PM
nice topic tigerfolly,
i bought a k2500x recently and i have an X stand that can't handle my synth, everytime i play, the stand is shaking. i want to buy a new stand and i don't know what type. etc... the thing is that i'm a tall guy (1.95) and when i'm playing my k2500x while standing i'll need a stand that will let me place my keyboard pretty high on the stand.
i would like to know if someone knows what type and brand of stand will let me place my synth high and will be able to handle my synth weight?(just imagine a 1.95 tall guy playing a k2500x while standing hehe..., i didn't measure what height i need to place my keyboard while standing).

thanks

Liquid Shadow
03-19-2004, 09:21 PM
This is the one that I use

http://www.samash.com/images/items/QT8XXXXXX.jpg

Tigerfolly
03-19-2004, 11:52 PM
nice topic tigerfolly,
i bought a k2500x recently and i have an X stand that can't handle my synth, everytime i play, the stand is shaking. i want to buy a new stand and i don't know what type. etc... the thing is that i'm a tall guy (1.95) and when i'm playing my k2500x while standing i'll need a stand that will let me place my keyboard pretty high on the stand.
i would like to know if someone knows what type and brand of stand will let me place my synth high and will be able to handle my synth weight?(just imagine a 1.95 tall guy playing a k2500x while standing hehe..., i didn't measure what height i need to place my keyboard while standing).

thanks

That Ultimate Apex stand gets real tall. You can't see it in the pictures I posted, but one of these days I'll copy the rehearsal studio pictures from my camera.. I have a USB MIDI controller triggering a laptop, and it's on a tier above that EMU PK-6. It's nice and high up there..

They do make some X stands that are sturdy and can go pretty high without being too wobbly.. and you can always make your own. ;)

YtsejAmir
03-20-2004, 05:17 AM
the question is what X stands and apex stands can handle my k2500x (35kg) synth and won't move at all when i play after placing the synth on a high tier or truss?

making my own stand is also an option...

Tigerfolly
03-20-2004, 12:27 PM
the question is what X stands and apex stands can handle my k2500x (35kg) synth and won't move at all when i play after placing the synth on a high tier or truss?

making my own stand is also an option...

They'll hold Motif 8s and Triton Studio 88s, the K2*00X isn't that much heavier, although I never did put the K2600XS we had on it.. but then, that thing was fully loaded and nobody was ever going to buy that thing. $10,000 keyboard that we couldn't sell marked at $3,500!

But, that's the keyboard that was loaned out for several studio sessions, and it's all over Disturbed's "Believe" album.

Anyway, I know the Apex will handle it, and I know that certain X stands will handle it (although, I wouldn't trust it on the second tier of an X stand.. they seem a little flimsy to me for that).

Medusa
03-20-2004, 01:22 PM
I have an Apex which i bought second hand to use with my Oberheim MC3000 controller which is VERY heavy. I now have both the Oberheim and my K2500 on it and while it does take the weight well enough there is a certain amount of "wobble".

Personally i've been contemplating one of those custom desks which takes a keyboard, pc, rack mounting stuff etc. That way the pc monitor could be right in front of me when playing. The only thing's stopping me are
1: I'd have to do away with my Oberheim.
2: I don't want to comropmise my computer use.
3: money

Anyone using one of these desks?

YtsejAmir
03-20-2004, 04:26 PM
thanks for the replies,
i would like to know what is the height of the ultimate ax-48 apex stand in meters?

Amir

Medusa
03-21-2004, 04:23 AM
I make it approx 1.15M