Customer Reviews

Manhasset Voyager Music Stand

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In more than 30 years of playing in bands and orchestras, I have

had occasion to use a wide variety of music stands. I have always

preferred Manhasset concert stands as being both fairly

lightweight and extremely durable and dependable. Portable

folding stands have typically been too lightweight with too small a music desk.

For a long while I wished that someone would make

a portable stand with similar qualities to the Manhasset concert

stands, and now they have!

This portable Manhasset stand is in every way the equal of their

concert stands. This stand can easily be the only stand a

musician needs: for home use or for concert use, this stand

has all the features of standard Manhasset stands and adds the

great benefit of easy mobility. The broad base of the stand

folds easily. (It is somewhat broader than the base of a

standard Manhasset stand, which makes it more stable in a windy

setting.) The music desk removes with an easy twist. No tools

are required and the fittings are all quite positive.

If I had know that this stand was available, I would not have

needed to buy the standard version. This truly is the only

music stand I need.

Manhasset Voyager Music Stand

For several years now, I've used a standard Manhasset stand in my practice room at home, and have carried a Voyager music stand to rehearsals and gigs.

Pros:

- Perhaps the lightest of the "black" portable stands that is also fully adjustable for height and shelf angle. (There are sturdier portable stands, but they weigh and cost, more. E.g., the Wenger Gig Stand Folding Music Stand is very sturdy, but it costs over twice as much as the Voyager and it's very heavy.) Easy to carry, as long as you bought the optional Voyager Tote Bag, or, make your own tote bag.

- The music shelf is the same as the one on a regular Manhasset stand, and is quickly adjustable for angle without a locking-knob, simply by tilting it the way you want. It's also easy to affix optional items, such as the Manhasset accessory shelf, a stand light, or slide-on mute holder.

- Quite stable, even when used outside on the grass or in the wind. Just as stable as the standard Manhasset stand.

- Strong enough to hold a stuffed music folder, without flinching, or sliding down.

- Attractive enough to use on any gig.

- Can quickly raise the stand with one hand during a gig when playing a solo, if you put your foot on the base to prevent lifting the whole thing. This can't be done on stands with screw-locks on each section.

- Excellent quality. Mechanism has worked well without issue.

Cons:

- Even though mine has worked well for several years, there are three major plastic parts that, if they broke, would render the stand useless. I.e., the thumb-locking ring that tightens the top to the stand; and two plastic rings that slide on the stand "pole". The standard Manhasset stand, by contrast, is 100% steel, which means it should last virtually forever.

Summary:

An excellent product at a reasonable price.

This stand is the aesthetic and functional equal to the original model of the Manhasset. The only difference is that this one is truly portable! Visually, the only way you can differentiate between this stand and the original is that the base is different to make it possible for the stand to fold up. You don't need another stand if you own this one. The stand plate is removable, with an easy-to-use locking mechanism at its base, and the legs of the stand fold up. The stand extends to, as far as I can tell, the full extension of the basic model, so it's comfortable for use both standing up and sitting down.

As a professional chamber musician, there is a priceless convenience factor that comes with this stand. Wire stands appear unprofessional, but the standard Manhasset takes up a lot of trunk space in a car, even a large car. This is an absolutely essential piece for the musician who frequently travels.

This stand is exactly the same as its non-portable counterpart, except with a sturdy, stable, foldable base. I bought my daughter another, cheaper brand, and it must weigh 10 times as much as my Voyager stand! I highly recommend this to any musician who needs to take their stand on the road. (Buy the bag, too!)

This stand is very solid, easy to assemble and take down. Since it is Manhasset, there is a wide range of accesories available like extenders, tote bags (I recommend you get the tote) and organizers. When I got it, one of the plastic feet was missing from the stand, and Manhasset responded very quickly and sent a replacement. Best of all, it is extremely stable and resists tipping even in wind for outdoor performances.

This is a great Travel Stand because you can write on your music easily during rehearsals. However, it is imperative to purchase the case separately, otherwise, the post is unwieldy.