2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I like it..., January 23, 2009
This review is from: K & M 15270B Trombone Stand KC (Electronics)
I've had this stand for a couple of years now, maybe three. I forget exactly when I got it but it's been at least two years. And it's really great. Looking at it, it doesn't look to be very sturdy and I was a little concerned about it being able to reliably hold up my Bach 36B but it's really very good. Compared to non in-bell stands, it's definitely not as sturdy and it will sway a little while holding the horn if you bump the horn but it has never fallen over or collapsed in the years I've been using it. And as a semi-professional trombonist, I use the stand several times a week, both at church and at gigs.
Pros:
It fits in the bell well; it fits all the way into the bell so it will likely work with any case. I've used it with a hard case and two gig bags with no problems.
It's very light. It will add weight to the case when you carry it of course but I haven't noticed any discomfort or balance issues carrying the stand in my bell.
It's quick to setup and break down and the design is very ingenious.
Cons:
Price. This stand is pricey but well worth the cost for the convenience of being able to carry the stand inside your gig bag or case. Especially if you play a lot in different places like I do.
Moisture will condense on the stem when it's inside your bell. You can wipe it down every time you pull it; but I actually carry a couple of thin, cloth diapers in my case (any thin rag will work) which I use to wipe down my horn after each use and I always drape one over the stand once it's broke down before I slide it into the bell. Doing so does prevent the stand from going as far into the bell as it would without the rag but it has never been an issue for me and it keeps everything dry. The rag is usually slightly damp when I unpack the stand so I usually rotate between the two rags to let them dry out. The rotating is just something I do, it would work without doing that too because normally the rag is dry by the time my gig is over. Oh, as far as I'm aware, this moisture issue occurs with all in-bell stands; I've never heard of one that didn't do this.
The only thing I really don't like about this stand is the legs. They perform their function fine and they fold up neatly for storage, which is good. But unfortunately, when you fold them out for use, they will collapse on you when you pick the stand up and they'll point straight down. So, when you're moving your horn and your stand at the same time, it's a little annoying to try to spread the legs back out so you can set it down. I can normally get this done with my foot but it is an inconvenience that K&M could have avoided with a small latch of some sort to lock the legs open. Anyway, that is the one and only flaw with the design of this stand; if it weren't for that, it would be perfect.
Sorry, but I can't comment on its use with horns larger than the 36B because that's the largest horn I play. Smaller horns work even better with the stand obviously.
Like I said I do really like this stand but if I were to get another one, I'd want to compare it closely to the in-bell stand that Hercules makes; it looks like it might be a good alternative to the K&M but I've never seen or used one. Either way, this one is a fine stand.
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