The Tubular stand is a very safe way to keep your guitar. Your guitar won’t tip in one of these. It also has a locking bar that goes in front of your fretboard. This stops your guitar from popping out.
Multi-Guitar Stands
Perfect for live musicians or home players who play various guitars a lot. This Multi-Stand design hangs the guitars similar to a wall hanger.
Once again there are locking bars to ensure the instruments stay in the hanging position safely. Some of the Multi-Stands twist around so you can choose your weapon without having to walk around the stand every time.
Guitar Rack
Guitar Racks are great for studio, live use, and home use. Very sturdy and if built to a high standard should not move at all.
This design obviously takes up more room but can hold up to seven-stringed instruments.
Walk-Up Stand
Walk Up stands are used mainly on stage or tutorial videos on youtube etc.
Tutors or performers attach the guitar at a certain angle that is comfortable for them, then set up the camera to record. This way the guitar never moves. So no knee sliding when the guitar is attached to this stand!
Premium Stands
Top of the range guitar stands are longer-lasting, foldable, and made of better materials. The overall cost is a little more than your standard guitar stand, but worth it if you’re hoping to keep a 60-year-old guitar safe on it.
Here Are 6 Guitar Stands We Loved:
We chose a stand in each category to cover all avenues and scenarios:
Pros: Collapsable, Slick Firm Adjustable Positions, Protects Your Instrument, Value For Money, Long Lasting
Cons: Folds Up Into An Awkward Shape
I have had one of these K&M Heli stands for ten YEARS plus. It’s still doing well, it holds my most expensive electric guitar, so that tells you a lot. I completely trust it. It’s well made and very affordable. I’ve never had any problems with it.
You can fit Ukuleles on this stand, right up to a jumbo acoustic.
The only thing I don’t like is how it folds up. It’s a really awkward shape to put into your guitar bag. Apart from that, it’s the ‘single guitar stand’ winner for me.
Pros: Great For All Guitar Sizes, Easily Assembled, Adjustable, Folds Up For Transport, Lightweight
Cons: Struggles With The Weight Of Bass Guitars
The Gator Frameworks guitar hanger stand is a great product for the guitarist. With an easily adjustable neck, you can adjust to the size (height) of your instrument. Easily assembled and will fold up into a straight line for transport.
Black matte finish and foam protective parts to caress your guitar safely. Durable neck restraint cradles the neck for a secure fit. Holds many stringed instruments safely and a big seller. Definitely worth a slot in the best stand list.
The only slight issue I had was: Heavier instruments (like bass) sit at an angle. The weight seems too much for the stand to handle.
Pros: Big Seller, Durable Neck Restraint, Padded Neck and Base, Gator Are A Trusted Manufacturer,Great Value For Money
Cons: Some Build Flaws
The Gator double guitar stand has a rubberized band around the neck and loop for a secure fit. I like the added safety aspect of this design. A sturdy steel design that won’t look ugly in your room. Matte black finish and safely holds two guitars in place. I really like the fact is easily collapsible and very light for transport.
A good all-rounder for the price. Definitely the best double stand on the market for the lower to medium price range.
Pros: Heavy Duty, Strong, Well Constructed, Adjustable, Gravity Locking Device
Cons: Price May Put Some Off
Generally, guitar stands are a really low priced piece of equipment, but I feel I had to add a really good premium product. The D&A series provides us, guitarists, with well made high-quality guitar stands and hangers.
D&A boasts the most technologically advanced multi-guitar stand on the planet. With its ‘gravity-activated locking heads’ it’s like no other. In basic terms, you place the guitar onto the stand, and once the neck presses against the locking head and the weight moves down, a plastic shield slips out and locks together so the guitar cannot fall out. My first impressions were ‘it’s a bit gimmicky’, but the overall build and safety aspect of this design make it by far the best multi stand on the market. After all, a guitar stand is meant to look after your prized asset at all costs. This absolutely does that.
It’s certainly something different in this field. I for one like the idea of improving old products for the better. D&A certainly has come up with a guitar stand that ‘stands’ out from the crowd. No pun intended.
Pros: Fits All Acoustic/Classical Sizes!, Foldable to 12″x 6″, Silicone Protective Cushions, 2 Free Months Of Live Music Classes
Cons: It’s A Bit Ugly!
As some acoustic and classical guitars come in so many different body sizes, I had to add an extra stand to cover this option.
The Hola Portable stand can hold almost all stringed instruments. Right the way from a medium-sized instrument right up to your jumbo acoustics. It’s a lightweight yet surprisingly sturdy piece of equipment. You’d have to try pretty hard to break this.
A major positive feature I found was when folded, The Hola fits into your guitar bag! Unlike any of the competition. Hard rubber feet stops the stand from moving around on the floor. The adjustable soft grips ensure you can grip your guitar’s body when it’s resting on the stand. A real favorite of mine
So if you’re out and about with your guitar, this is one you should seriously consider.
Pros: Big Seller, Easy Set Up, 5 Star Product, Folds Up Easily, Lightweight, Easily Holds Bass Guitars
Cons: Large And Cumbersome
If you have three guitars or more, maybe it’s time to look at a rack. The Hercules series of guitars stands are some of the best and most popular on the market. Made to last and at a fair price. Foam covers all the contact points on the guitar, keeping it safe from falls and scratches. Accommodates five instruments neatly and safely. Saving you space (for another new guitar!)
The Hercules GS525B folds up quickly into a flat lightweight shape, which is ideal for the live guitarist. If you’re like me, you enjoy looking at your guitar collection whilst walking around the house, the Hercules guitar rack is highly recommended.
You may be thinking it’s an extra cost and do I really need one? In a word ‘Yes’, you do.
There are various types of guitar stand. A-Frame, Rack, Multi-Stand, Tripod, Walk-Up, and Premium Stands. They all serve different purposes, which we will get to further into the article.
1. Protection
The most important reason.
You should never leave your guitar lying down, whether it’s in its case or not. If a guitar case is stepped on, you still run the risk of snapping it. It’ll never be the same after that. I know this because I’ve done it ………/:
After practicing, the guitar should be left in an upright position or on the bottom edge of the guitar.
You should never lean your guitar up against a wall for long periods. The neck will bend and the guitar will end up unplayable.
Having a sturdy guitar stand keeps the guitar safe and in view. This is also handy for gigging conditions. Most live guitarists have a secondary guitar in case they break a string. They sometimes use another guitar for alternative tuning.
Any good guitar stand will hold your guitar tightly upright. A decent guitar stand will have quality padding to preserve the finish on your guitar.
2. Creative Environment
The more energy it takes you to turn the TV off, find a pick, the less likely you are to do it. Keep your guitar on a stand next to the TV or in a place you can see it. This will always keep the guitar within sight and within mind. I still use this tactic to this day. It’s a healthy daily reminder to pick your guitar up and play it. This is the number one way to learn your instrument.
We’ve written a really helpful article on this how to create good habits, take a read:
Who doesn’t like showing off their beautiful shiny guitar? Some acoustics are absolutely stunning and add a decorative element to your home. Just remember to keep the guitars away from direct sunlight. We don’t want any melting or bending. Unless its ‘face-melting solos’ or massive ‘Hendrix style string bending’
Acoustic Vs Electric, What are you choosing? Check our article on the debate that’ll never end
What Suits You Best: Our Essential Buying Advice
As guitar stands come in several shapes and sizes, we need to whittle down what you need the stand for. Read on to see which situations suit you the best.
Will You Be Gigging Or Frequently Taking Your Guitar Out To Lessons?
If you’re going to be on the road, you’re going to need to fold it away. The stand needs to be sturdy. Purchasing a cheap stand would only fall to bits in a very short time.
Having your guitar slip off the stand onto your bedroom carpet is one thing, but on a hard stage floor or concrete could be fatal.
Most music shops stand their guitars on A-Frame and hanging stands. This is because they ensure a high level of safety and preserve the guitar’s finish. There are various types of stand to consider for both guitar, bass, and acoustic guitar.
Are You Buying For An Electric Guitar, Acoustic or Bass?
A lot of today’s stands cover both acoustic and electric categories. The Bass guitar has a slightly different design also.
Generally ‘most’ guitar stands are universal. But, if I had an expensive guitar, I’d definitely be looking into the correct stand that fits my instrument like a glove.
Safeguard your guitar from falling at all costs. It goes without saying.
When Is A Good Time to Buy a Rack?
A rack would suit the gigging musician or band scenario. Some home guitarists like to display their guitars on a rack at home. This is sometimes great when you have various guitars in different tunings. If you’re working in a studio or record at home, it may be useful to have all your instruments out and ready on a rack.
Authority Guitar Top Tip
It doesn’t cost a lot for a ‘good’ solid guitar stand. It’s worth every penny. Buying cheap normally results in buying twice! (or paying a technician to fix your broken guitar)
Things To Look Out For When Standing A Guitar
Keep your guitar away from direct sunlight
Keep away from every type of heat source in the house
Do not stand instruments in front of radiators
Keep guitars away from air conditioners blow
Rest the guitar at a height that’s comfortable to hook and unhook. Your back will thank you.
Consider Humidity if you’re standing acoustic guitars. Guitar wood does bend!
Humidity
Generally speaking, our houses are kept between 70 degrees and 50% humidity. But how would we know this?
The weather fluctuates with temperature and humidity. This can result in acoustic guitars cracking and splitting, if not kept to the correct climate. Especially in winter, we go from a cold house to a warm one, very quickly with one push of the central heating button.
Mounting a guitar in a humid environment will absorb the moisture into the guitar’s wood, thus swelling and making your guitar unusable.
My advice, if you think your house has crazy spells of sudden temperature change. Get yourself a low-priced hygrometer and see how your house measures up.
A Word About Dust
Mounting your beloved guitar for long spells is inevitably going to collect dust. The easy option would be to wipe it down with a cloth, or play the guitar so much dust cannot settle! Now that’s dedication!
Some parts of your guitar cannot be reached with a cloth. The electronics can be harmed by dust. Dust holds moisture, sweat, and acidic crap. Over time this increases the oxidation of pots, tuning pegs, the bridge, etc.
Strings are the worst hit as they’ve no protection from dust. Natural oils from your fingers corrode the string material and eventually create a mass of grimey build-up. This wears the strings out faster than if your guitar was in its case. The sensible option is to wipe your strings down every practice session (i do!).
Dust in some cases can get into your guitars fretboard and play havoc over long periods.
If you’re going to purchase a guitar stand, my simple advice to avoid any dust, rust, oil, or moisture issues, would be to wipe your instrument down before and after every session.
You’ll get into the habit after a few times. It’s a small price to pay if it means prolonging the longevity of your guitar. Get some cotton buds for the little nooks and crannies
I hope you’ve found our 6 favorite guitar stands for acoustic and electric guitars of some use. We’ve covered every scenario and given you our favorites. At the end of the day, each stand does exactly the same thing. But it all comes down to how much you really want to protect your instrument.
Lee has been playing guitar for over 25 years. In the 1990's he made a few TV appearances in London and supported a few big bands at festivals. He's recently sung on radio and worked as a full-time guitarist/singer. Lee is the founder of Authority Guitar, a site where he wants readers to enjoy every aspect of learning the guitar.
