Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

There has been discussion on ths forum, from time to time about the potential hazzards of the rubber on guitar stands causing the deterioration of the instrument's finish.

I have been an advocate of stands that use surgical rubber for padding. This is because I have never known these stands to hurt an instrument of mine over many years. I still find that this is the case, however, two things have me thinking a little different with regard to the risk of using these stands.

To begin, I keep all of my instruments in their cases when they are not being played. This keeps them safe and allows for the clay pot humidifiers to add the moisture over the dry winter months. This practice minimizes the actual contact time with the rubber and so may not be a fair test of the safety of surgical rubber. I have never heard of anyone who has used a surgical rubber stand have problems.

In addition, I purchased a new surgical rubber stand yesterday and found the following note on the warranty that came with the "Ultra Stand."

There is no such thing as a completely safe instrument stand. Contact with the rubber or vinyl protectors for a long period of time can cause markings in the finish of the instrument. Nitrocellulose lacquers are especially susceptible.

Wood does "breathe" even through lacquer, and when the air cannot get through, a mark will occur. In addition, rubber goes through molecular changes over time, and may even try to bond itself to a smooth surface. It is important to note that instrument polishes, humidity, heat and air borne pollutants all add to the problem and are often the real cause of the interaction with rubber.

If you suspect an instrument has a fragile finish, cover the contact points of the instrument with a soft cloth. Instrument stands should only be used to "temporarily" store your instrument, such as on a gig. The safest place to store your instrument is in its case.

So there you have it. word to the wise ...

I had the material covering the metal on the bottom of a stand "melt" the finish at the contact points on one of my telecasters. I have since purchased heavy duty cotton garden gloves, cut off the fingers, cut the ends off the fingers, so I have cotton tubes, and slipped those tubes over the contact points of my stands and wall hangers.

So... with all the documented problems associated with rubber coming into contact with the finishes on guitars and basses lo these many moons, why haven't the stand manufacturers had the sense to offer up stands that incorporate cloth coverings over the rubber padding?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...

...or should I just patent this approach for myself and make my fortune?

I guess they just don't cotton to the idea Alvaro.

A man's gotta have some pretty big "bolls" to pun at your level Peter!

This thread is getting out of hand!

Mortivan: You are quite right, what a tangled web we weave. While the outcome of topics such as this may loom dark in some forums, the Rickenbacker enthusiasts here are a tightly knit group and are willing to push on.

That is a fabrication, Peter, and my frayed nerves are telling me you are trying to pull the wool over our eyes...

Pundigestion in a big way. You guys are getting far too tied up over this.

Squirebass: You have made an excellent point and certainly I deserve a good needling over this one.

Just Levi to you guys to draw a point like this to absurdity...

Instead of posting more text-ile just move on.

John Linen is rolling in his grave...

Let us recognize the wisdom of Cotton Mather, and realize that we are all sinners in the thread of a goofy forum.

You guys just keep me in stitches with your off-the-cuff remarks.