it was me, not jules... but you post REALLY interests me, care to send me a pic of a prototype or two? i dug every bit you said describing them.
i'd pay probably $500 for a stand of that nature, but i too am a cheapskate

. $1k for the starbird is just ********.... or any stand.
of course im NOT doing classical work so height needs just arent that excessive, i just need extension out over something [drums] without having to get so close to the drums with the base.