Standback

Sometimes simple things are hard to find. I went to a number of guitar stores looking for a simple amp stand. Something that would let me tilt my combo amp so that I could use the amp on stage and benefit from being in the sweet spot for monitoring.

This seems to be above and beyond the guitar shops around Toronto. “Why would you want to do that?” I was asked time and again. “Because I have my rig close miked and I want to be able to hear it. When it stands flat on the stage floor, it is pointed at my feet.”

Invariably, I was told to bolt on some Fender tiltback legs. Sorry. Not on my LoneStar Special.

I found a solution advertised in Guitar Player magazine. Standback makes a simple, cost-effective and practical amp stand.

Standback

10 replies
  1. Stephen Meyer
    Stephen Meyer says:

    Wow, I’m just simply amazed at the simplicity of the design. Too bad music shops are so unfamiliar with the concept of “simplicity.”

    Reply
  2. Richard Cleaver
    Richard Cleaver says:

    Hi Matt,

    I had one player come up to me and say: “You sound just like Larry Carlton!”

    The tone is A-MAZ-ING!

    Reply
  3. Tycho
    Tycho says:

    FWIW, They have quite a few Yorkville amp stands for sale at the downtown Long & McQuade; I’m looking at one in my living room right now. Unlike the AmpStand, it can be raised quite far off the floor, which is exactly what I wanted, since I live in an apartment.

    The AmpStand does look more elegant though. And as the ad says, it supposedly preserves bottom end by keeping the amp “on” the floor.

    (Incidentally, since you like “nano” stuff, you might be interested to know that my living-room amp is the half-watt Z. Vex Nano Head, run into a small Peavey cab. It’s a bit too dirty an amp for jazz though.)

    Reply
  4. Richard Cleaver
    Richard Cleaver says:

    Hi Tycho,

    I do have a couple of amp stands like the Yorkville. I was looking for something that would allow the amp to tilt back and stay close to the floor. And the Standback does exactly that.

    Thanks for commenting on your backline! I googled on Zvex and I was quite impressed with the look of the Nano head. Gets pretty close in size to the Nano guitar.

    Reply
  5. Martin Lin
    Martin Lin says:

    I can’t tell if you’ve got a Standback, or just appreciate the design. If you have one, do you like it? Does it preserve your low end? Did you order it direct from the company? Thanks!

    Martin

    Reply
  6. Richard Cleaver
    Richard Cleaver says:

    Hi Martin,

    Yes I do have a Standback and you can order it from their online store. I prefer the Standback when I am travelling with the amp. Very lightweight and easy to pack. I still use a higher amp stand and I do notice a loss of bass presence when the amp gets lifted up off the floor.

    You can check out the reviews on Harmony Central. It looks like some other players really like the Standback too.

    Reply

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