TEST: Hercules Stands

It is truly only very rarely the case that a German company has a de facto monopoly position with its products in the music industry. In terms of stands, tripods and mounts, you can't get past the name K&M so far, provided you don't want to fall short of a self-imposed quality standard. In addition to the general workmanship, it is particularly components such as the wall thickness of the tubes used, the durability of the plastics in terms of post-hardening or the diffusion of solvents from the foams into the paints of the instruments.

Added to this are ease of handling, a high degree of stability against external influences during transport, and the whole thing should be equipped with a clever folding system that allows the products to disappear into a small bag if possible. If you want to combine all these factors in one product, you can't avoid a corresponding retail price, which is why the above-mentioned company has so far primarily had its permanent home in the high-priced professional sector.

This is exactly the area that the Hercules Stands offensive is about, which is preparing to break the supremacy with its combination of good workmanship and moderate price due to the Chinese production. The guitar stands HCGS-200B, HCGS-412B, HCGS-405B and the iPhone / iPad holders HCDG-200B and HCHA-300+ are available for testing.


Design

Every company needs a visual trademark, preferably one that can be easily seen from a distance without seeing the lettering or emblem. In the case of Hercules Stands, they have chosen the combination black / yellow, which is perceived discreetly, but still very concise.

Hercules Stands informs in its documentation that no plasticizers are used in their foams. Nevertheless, especially with nitro paints, you should be aware that prolonged contact with dark foam can cause discoloration of the paint. In most cases, however, the color will diffuse back out of the paint, but this can take months or years.

Here we go:

1.) Guitar stand HCGS-200B: Let's start directly with the small stand and the big whoops. To my knowledge, there is currently no other stand that can hold both an acoustic and electric guitar, while folding up so incredibly small. The dimensions (L x W x H) 25 cm x 10 cm x 3.6 cm and the weight of 545 grams speak for themselves.

The slogan used by Hercules Stands of a tripod in your pocket is perhaps a bit daring with a tight-fitting pair of jeans, but in an expansive leg pocket or but a gig bag finds the stand easily place. The patented folding system is indeed simple and revolutionary at the same time. After setting up the stand by means of a simple folding mechanism, which adjusts the support surface for the body of the instrument selected. The stability of the stand and the safety for the instrument are set rather in the middle range, but the space required during transport is minimal. A real enrichment for the stand market.


2) Guitar stand HCGS-412B: Even though all stands are of course suitable for mobile use, it is still necessary to distinguish between floor stands and compact stands. The HCGS-412B belongs to the first category, turning out to be a specialist for very large instruments due to its suspended design. Even very long Flying V type instruments can find their place on this stand. In addition, the holding device has the Auto Grip System AGS, which is an additional safety feature.

Via the foldable back support, you can very quickly adjust the support point on the back of the guitar / bass individually, the same applies to the handle on the back, which manages the overall length of the stand. With optimal adjustment for the respective instrument, the stand offers high stability, especially for body types for which there are very few (Flying V) or no (Explorer) compact stands.



3) Guitar stand HCGS-405B: As a typical representative of the compact stands, the HCGS-405B is especially suitable for mobile use, whereby it is equally suitable for acoustic guitar / bass as well as electric guitar / bass. The center rod of the stand is mounted movably and, in cooperation with the curved neck mount, ensures that even the front men who sometimes stumble around in the area do not put your piece of jewelry in danger too easily.

Via a total of three snap locks, both the feet and the two holders can be bent in a single direction, so that the stand can easily find its place in a tripod case or bag.



4) Smartphone Holder HCDG-200B: Whether used as a recording device or as a text support, the smartphone has long since made its way into rehearsal rooms or onto the stage. Similar to a microphone, an appropriate stand is still the best method to place the smartphone coherently and sensibly. All the more reason why appropriate mounts are a must nowadays. Hercules Stands tries to cover all areas with the HCDG-200B by covering two different tripod designs (square and round) on the one hand and allowing all orientations by means of a ball head mount.

Mounting is quick, the alignment is flexible and the workmanship is practical. All common smartphones between 43.5 mm and 90 mm wide can be clamped via a snap-on device, while the ball head nut also allows quick readjustment. Due to the wide mounting surface, smartphones that are in a protective case can also be accommodated.



5) Tablet holder HCHA-300+: The application possibilities of the HCHA-300+ include the possibilities of the HCDG-200B, but expand the range even further with the included accessories. Two additional ball head extensions allow the usual back stand operation, which works in portrait as well as in landscape mode, as well as the direct attachment to a microphone stand. In this case, only the upper boom has to be removed.



Practice

The practical part is pleasantly short. All products meet the demands that can be placed on a professional stand or a professional mount. The handling is easy, self-explanatory and purely tailored to practice. In addition, all metal surfaces are anodized, which prevents both the unpleasant smell and the formation of rust.



Conclusion

With very good quality at reasonable prices, Hercules Stands is setting out to establish itself in the professional tripod market. Due to the very good workmanship, combined with interesting detail solutions, the ambitious customer has the choice of an additional provider that does not cover the inferior cheap sector.

Unfortunately, many musicians only realize far too late how immensely important such an unspectacular market as the tripod business is, namely when their beloved instrument lies on the stage floor with chipped varnish in the best case, or with a broken headstock in the worst case.


Additional Informations:

- Hercules Stands is a company that specializes in the manufacture and distribution of high-quality stands for musical instruments. The company was founded in Taiwan in 2008 and has since expanded its presence to more than 70 countries worldwide. Hercules Stands stands out for its innovative design, sturdy construction and user-friendly handling. Hercules Stands products are suitable for both professional musicians and hobbyists who want to store and transport their instruments safely and conveniently.

Among the most popular Hercules Stands products are the GS series guitar stands, which feature a patented Auto-Grip system that automatically holds the guitar when it is placed in the stand. The stands also feature a foam pad that protects the guitar from scratches. The GS series includes various models for acoustic, electric and bass guitars, as well as ukuleles and banjos. Another successful Hercules Stands product is the DS series saxophone stand, which is designed with a unique folding mechanism that allows the stand to be assembled and disassembled in seconds. The stand is also height adjustable to fit different sizes of saxophones.

Hercules Stands aims to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of its customers. The company places great emphasis on quality assurance, customer service and environmental protection. Hercules Stands is ISO 9001 certified and uses recyclable materials for its packaging. The company also offers a lifetime warranty for its products and has a dedicated support team that responds to customers' questions and concerns quickly and professionally. Hercules Stands is proud to be a trusted partner for musicians around the world.

- A guitar stand is a practical accessory for any guitarist who wants to keep his instrument safe and within reach. There are several types of guitar stands that differ in shape, material, size and function. In this text, we will present some important criteria that can help in choosing a suitable guitar stand.

First of all, you should consider how many guitars you want to place on the stand. There are both single stands and multiple stands that can hold several guitars at the same time. Single stands are usually more compact and easier to transport, while multiple stands take up more space but also offer more stability.

Another aspect is the material of the guitar stand. Most guitar stands are made of metal, which is sturdy and durable. However, you should make sure that the metal has a protective coating to prevent scratches or damage to the instrument. Alternatively, you can choose a guitar stand made of wood, which has a natural and elegant look. However, wood is more susceptible to moisture and temperature fluctuations, which can affect its durability.

Finally, you should also consider the shape and function of the guitar stand. There are several models that differ in the way they hold the guitar. Some examples are:

- A-frame stands: these stands have a simple and foldable design that consists of two slanted legs that rest against the bottom of the guitar. They are easy to handle and are suitable for different types of guitars.
- Neck rest stands: these stands have a vertical bar to which a padded neck rest is attached to hold the guitar by the head. They are sturdy and gentle on the instrument, but require more space and are harder to transport.
- Wall mounts: These mounts attach to the wall and have a movable bracket that clamps the guitar to the neck. They save space and are decorative, but require permanent mounting and are not suitable for all types of walls.

So, depending on personal preferences and needs, you can choose the right guitar stand for your instrument. It is important that the stand provides a secure hold and protects the instrument from damage.