Hercules stand WARNING!!!

grayghost · #1 05-14-2018, 03:33 PM

I have long used and loved Hercules guitar stands, believing them to be the best all-round stand/hangers for my instruments and one of the best thought out products on the market. I have used them exclusively for at least 10 years. WELL, This afternoon I was sitting in my kitchen and I suddenly heard a tremendous crash from upstairs. When I found what the noise was, I was astonished. The adjustment clamp on my double Hercules stand had disintegrated, allowing a Martin guitar to drop straight down to the hardwood floor, bounce on the end pin and fall flat in the floor. My leather strap was on the instrument, so that must have cushioned it enough that it wasn’t a dead drop on the end pin and did not crack the end of the guitar, but it still hit with enough force to scare me half to death, and then fall on the face of the guitar on the hardwood floor. You can only imagine the racket when a wooden instrument lands face down on a hardwood floor. The face of the guitar is scratched, not terribly, but scratched none the less. As I looked at the Hercules stand before I threw it away, I realized - this is a design problem. If the adjustment clamp on a single guitar stand slips, the guitar is still resting on the two front padded legs of the stand. I tried it. It merely slips slowly down the legs to rest on the floor. The two (and perhaps the three) guitar stand holds the instrument straight vertically. When it slips - the instrument or instruments crash straight down and then pop out of the headstock holder because there is no longer any weight on it and it releases. Scary stuff ...Word to the wise ... My stand is in the trash.

dcmey · #2 05-14-2018, 03:41 PM

I think that it's nuts for people to leave them hanging on the wall, but to each their own. I would leave my guitar in it's case and not have the issue, but that's me.

HodgdonExtreme · #3 05-14-2018, 03:55 PM

With a username of Grayghost, I have to wonder if you have a Weimaraner?

If so... uh, maybe the Weimaraner did it?

Tico · #4 05-14-2018, 03:56 PM

EEK!

Thanks for the head's up.

I don't like the stands where the guitar hangs from its neck.
I only use the ones that touch the bottom and back of the body.
Even then they're on stands only when in use, otherwise my babies live in their cases - unless one is getting ToneRitted.
Even when getting ToneRitted it hangs from a heavy rope with a zillion knots.

What made the material disintegrate?
How old was the stand? (not that that should matter)

I'm not suggesting you sue Hercules, but I'd at least take pics of the disintegrated part and the damage to your Martin.
Post them here and email the company with a link to this thread so they know what the world is finding out about their product.

Mr. Ed · #5 05-14-2018, 03:57 PM

If I am understanding you correctly, I also had the same issue with my Hercules stand(s) that were several years old. I contacted Customer Service. They were amazing! Since the stands were covered by a lifetime warranty, they sent me new stands right away.

ifret · #6 05-14-2018, 03:58 PM

Sorry to hear that. Hope the Martin isn't too damaged.

My take away for me, (I know, to each their own).....that's why my guitars are stored in their cases.

Denny B · #7 05-14-2018, 04:06 PM

"The adjustment clamp on my double Hercules stand had disintegrated"

Tico · #8 05-14-2018, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Ed

If I am understanding you correctly, I also had the same issue with my Hercules stand(s) that were several years old. I contacted Customer Service. They were amazing! Since the stands were covered by a lifetime warranty, they sent me new stands right away.

... but why in the world would anyone want another of such a stand?
Do they hate their guitars?

Mr. Ed · #9 05-14-2018, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tico

... but why in the world would anyone want another of such a stand?
Do they hate their guitars?

They are wonderful stands!!! But, I don't leave my guitars on them throughout the day. Only are used when needed.

FYI - Some of the plastic/rubber parts had deteriorated to the point of failing. I don't know if it was a bad batch or what. However, some users have owned these same type Hercules stands for many years with no issues. I understand that these new ones have even better plastic/rubber.

Tico · #10 05-14-2018, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Ed

They are wonderful stands!!! But, I don't leave my guitars on them throughout the day. Only are used when needed.

Wonderful ... till they disintegrate and drop a guitar.

BoneDigger · #11 05-14-2018, 04:23 PM

Mine had a similar issue. The clamp basically disintegrated and I had to drill a screw into it at the right height to continue using it. It works fine otherwise...

Mr. Ed · #12 05-14-2018, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tico

Wonderful ... till they disintegrate and drop a guitar.

Here is the point: They fixed this issue.

jschmitz54 · #13 05-14-2018, 05:01 PM

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Guitar-...all-Hangers.gc

I’m a total newbie but I was looking at guitar stands and I thought this A frame type looked easy to use and safe.
Are there draw backs to this style of stand?

Brucebubs · #14 05-14-2018, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschmitz54

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Guitar-...all-Hangers.gc

I’m a total newbie but I was looking at guitar stands and I thought this A frame type looked easy to use and safe.
Are there draw backs to this style of stand?

I have several of them and they're fine for me.

89bruin · #15 05-14-2018, 05:08 PM

I use an A-frame on occasion and they’re quite suitable if you remember they don’t have any support for the neck. Consequently, they’re not a good choice in areas where they might be bumped by bandmates, curious listeners, children or pets.