Is there a god damn decent mic stand w/ TEETH!?

halcyo · 2nd April 2007, 04:08 PM

What the **** is with all these shitty mic stands!

Does somebody make a decent, reasonably priced, built to last stand with a boom clutch that's got ****ing teeth on it!? I am sick of having my mics setup, and coming in to the studio the next morning to see my mic has dropped about 3ft.

Who decided that these 'infinite adjustment' clutches was a good idea? Is it just me, or does it seem like a racket to sell more mic stands once your boom clutch starts slipping? I swear, you buy these stands cause brand new they seem fine, and six months later everything is slipping, and the whole thing wobbles....

It's also going to really piss me off if the stands that DO have teeth, and are a bit sturdier are like 3x as much cost. I loathe the idea of putting out any more than $100 for a ****ing stand, but I guess that's the crazy industry we're in. Any help would be wonderful.

halcyo

Jake Dempsey · 2nd April 2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halcyo

What the **** is with all these shitty mic stands!

Does somebody make a decent, reasonably priced, built to last stand with a boom clutch that's got ****ing teeth on it!? I am sick of having my mics setup, and coming in to the studio the next morning to see my mic has dropped about 3ft.

Who decided that these 'infinite adjustment' clutches was a good idea? Is it just me, or does it seem like a racket to sell more mic stands once your boom clutch starts slipping? I swear, you buy these stands cause brand new they seem fine, and six months later everything is slipping, and the whole thing wobbles....

It's also going to really piss me off if the stands that DO have teeth, and are a bit sturdier are like 3x as much cost. I loathe the idea of putting out any more than $100 for a ****ing stand, but I guess that's the crazy industry we're in. Any help would be wonderful.

halcyo

Amen brotha! It seems like there's no in-between the $50 and $300 stands. The cheap ones have erectile disfuntion, fall apart, and won't friggin' stand up with a tube mic hanging from them. I'm slowly accumilating some decent stands. The cheap ones aren't even worth F'ing with.

scrubs · 2nd April 2007, 04:19 PM

I've had pretty good luck with the Tama MS205: TAMA - MS205/MS205BK Boom Stand

No teeth, but the boom arm clamps very tightly. I do have minor issues with the straight height extension, as it never clamps down as tightly as I'd like, but I haven't had any mics sag because of it (even heavy ribbon or tube mics).

Sugarnutz · 2nd April 2007, 04:28 PM

Over the years I have had good luck with these:
Atlas SB36W
Never had one droop on me, but again it's $300. Every studio needs at least one or two for your beter mics. One thing I always tried to do is balance the boom with the mic attached where the clutch doesn't have to do all the work.

Harvey Gerst · 2nd April 2007, 04:49 PM

One word: Latchlake

Welcome to Latch Lake Product - Your Source for quality guitar slides and microphone stands

jcool · 2nd April 2007, 05:08 PM

$700 is not $100

Stevil · 2nd April 2007, 05:26 PM

um yeah, i'd say $300-700 would nOt be a Low End mic stand.
are there $5000 mic stands to go with the $10000 mic's?

Brian Middleton · 2nd April 2007, 05:43 PM

You might check out the On-Stage booms. I bought a pair of the On-Stage SMS7650's last year, and they're doing fine for me so far. They don't feel like they're built to last forever, but I would expect to get several years out of them. They're $160 each at Mercenary; sometimes you can find them for a bit less.

There's also the 7630, which is smaller and lighter and sells for $100 each at Mercenary. It's impossible to tell from the product image whether the boom clutch is toothed or not. It definitely is on the 7650.

Musiclab · 2nd April 2007, 05:50 PM

I have a few different On Stage Studio Booms, they ,make one model that is more like the Atlas that's over a 100 dollars but they make another model with wider legs thats around 75 dollars. They both have teeth and I've had no problem ever hanging a heavy mic off of one

tINY · 2nd April 2007, 06:07 PM

Banjo mart has 19' booms with teeth. The boom is fixed (doesn't slide back and forth) but it has teeth.

Buy On-Stage Stands Posi-Lok Mini Boom online at Musician's Friend

Looks like they come in 7, 13 and 19 inches.

-tINY

Jimbo · 2nd April 2007, 09:27 PM

I got pissed-off with non-teeth stands as well.

I now own 8 of these:
http://www.samash.com/catalog/showit...DepartmentID=9

Real metal teeth, and clutch.

Real metal tripod base.

Tripod is nice and wide.

$30!!!

They also come in black. SamAsh stores are not carrying them anymore so buy them while you can.

- Jim

canderson · 2nd April 2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrubs

I've had pretty good luck with the Tama MS205: TAMA - MS205/MS205BK Boom Stand

No teeth, but the boom arm clamps very tightly. I do have minor issues with the straight height extension, as it never clamps down as tightly as I'd like, but I haven't had any mics sag because of it (even heavy ribbon or tube mics).

+1

I've been using the TAMA's for the past 3 years over multiple location recording dates and they have held up really well. They feel really solid, like I would expect from a company who makes drum hardware.

...SOLID

max cooper · 2nd April 2007, 09:45 PM

Good thread title, bee-otch.

BeepBeep · 3rd April 2007, 12:29 AM

I've never been able to find a retailer for these. Anyone have a lead?

Quote:

Originally Posted by canderson

+1

I've been using the TAMA's for the past 3 years over multiple location recording dates and they have held up really well. They feel really solid, like I would expect from a company who makes drum hardware.

...SOLID

Sounds Great · 3rd April 2007, 01:31 AM

Well you could get one of these and fix that sucker for good.

John Suitcase · 3rd April 2007, 01:46 AM

I bought some of the SamAsh ones on sale for $12 each, and I've had good luck. The clutches have teeth so no slippage. My complaints is that the extensions have little collars that come out!

You would think it would be possible to manufacture a decent stand for under $50, but apparently it's not that easy...

Anyone tried to DIY stands?

joelpatterson · 3rd April 2007, 02:13 AM

I had EXACTIMENTO the same gripe about a year ago, and fatefully enough I found that Warren Dent at Front End Audio was carrying this wonderful On Stage kit that gives you three lengths of boom arm that screw into a GEARED HUB WITH TEETH.

Even in spite of the treacherously unreliable "On Stage" pedigree they have worked perfectly, and I do treat them gently because I appreciate how valuable they are.

Yeah, you lock the gears together, there's none of this CRANK THIS SUCKER DOWN AS HARD AS I CAN AND HOPE THE WEIGHT OF THE MIC DOESN'T SLOWLY OVERCOME THE FRICTION FIT, instead it just stays where it is. Amazing.

6strings · 3rd April 2007, 02:37 AM

The On Stage boom does seem to work nice in terms of adjustment. The only thing that make me nervous is the weld-point at the joint for the boom seems like it's a potential weak point. I'm trying to baby it and make sure the boom is pretty much balanced before locking to avoid wear and tear... Also, making sure not to stress the weld by attempting to move the boom without first loosening the appropriate knob. Hopefully I'll get more than a few years out of it...

I don't know the warranty off hand, but I had the clutch on smaller stand give out (stripped nut or screw). I called the company and they sent a replacement part within three days - no questions asked.

Omicron_9 · 3rd April 2007, 05:29 AM

Yeah....

Used to have the same problem here. I now have three of these, and want a couple more:

OnStage SMS7650 Studio Boom Microphone Stand with Casters from zZounds.com

$129. with free shipping. The entire stand is way heavy, so the free shipping on this is quite a bonus. All tooth'ed at the boom and the 7" extension at the end of the boom; very stable. Everything locks into place, no matter how heavy the mic. Counterweight and base are both quite heavy. These stay in place and aren't tipsy at all. Note: I have no affiliation with either zzounds or OnStage; I just like the reliability of these stands and the prices and customer service on things like this at zzounds.

Regards,
-0.9

halcyo · 3rd April 2007, 05:59 AM

I dare one person to give me ONE good reason that a mic stand should NOT have teeth on the boom clutch! Just give me one! I may be paranoid, but it seems like a scam to me.

That onstage stand looks nice, but it looks friggen huge for some reason in that pic! I have a fairly small space, so I was hoping for something like that, but in a more 'standard' mic stand shape....

Jimbo - how's the build quality on those stands you got, for real? When I really think about it, the damn 'infinite slip' clutch is really the only problem I've had with all the stands I've used.

halcyo

necro2607 · 3rd April 2007, 10:39 AM

I agree.. absolutely drives me insane. It's even worse when you're playing a live show and the venue has those lame-ass mic stands that slowly bend downwards as you're playing...

i51423 · 3rd April 2007, 11:46 AM

I stripped out my On-Stage kick mic stand because of the ever slipping clutch.

scrubs · 3rd April 2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeepBeep

I've never been able to find a retailer for these. Anyone have a lead?

All these guys if you're in the US, anyway.

Brian Middleton · 3rd April 2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halcyo

That onstage stand looks nice, but it looks friggen huge for some reason in that pic! I have a fairly small space, so I was hoping for something like that, but in a more 'standard' mic stand shape....

Keep in mind that the SMS7650 product photo includes a 3-foot boom extension piece that doesn't get used very much in everyday studio applications. (Comes in handy when you need it, though.) Without the extension, it's still bigger and bulkier than your normal stand, but not the crane-like beast you see in the photo.

halcyo · 3rd April 2007, 03:34 PM

Ok, so you can get the arm 3ft shorter? That would probably work alot better.

I just might try one out....

halcyo

cjogo · 4th April 2007, 03:20 AM

We use the early Film/Theatre stands COLORTRAN or simliar. You can crack walnuts with their teeth/grip

dpianomn · 4th April 2007, 03:39 AM

this has nothing to do with a boom, but for extra protection i generally will put some 5 or 10 pound weights around the base of the stand. gives me a little more peace of mind with an expensive mic up there

charles maynes · 4th April 2007, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I got pissed-off with non-teeth stands as well.

I now own 8 of these:
http://www.samash.com/catalog/showit...DepartmentID=9

Real metal teeth, and clutch.

Real metal tripod base.

Tripod is nice and wide.

$30!!!

They also come in black. SamAsh stores are not carrying them anymore so buy them while you can.

- Jim

I love those stands- I have two right now, and just ordered three more-

A deal at list price actually- (and they can take a mic up to nearly 8 ft)

charles maynes

tunetown · 4th April 2007, 04:23 AM

Check out this little beauty.

http://www.latchlakemusic.com/micking_stand.html

If I had the dosh.........I probably still wouldn't buy one........

Cheers

Jimbo · 4th April 2007, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halcyo

Jimbo - how's the build quality on those stands you got, for real? When I really think about it, the damn 'infinite slip' clutch is really the only problem I've had with all the stands I've used.
halcyo

The build quality is MUCH better than you would expect for the price. The little plastic inserts that John Suitcase mentioned are actually nylon collars that protect the metal rods from the screw-down knobs, and prevent slippage (quite well). It is the same type of mechanism used on Yamaha drum stands. They may come out if you pull one rod completely out of another -- there is no reason to do this. However, if you do separate the rods, and you loose the nylon colar, your pretty much phuqued. This is the achilles heel. Just don't dismantle the stand and you'll never loose the colars.

The stands are really solid, and fold down nice and compact. The boom adjusts with a metal lever and metal sheath. It's simple to make adjustments, and, once again, there is absolutely no slippage. The large tripod base gives great stability, and the tripod legs are held by a metal leg holder thingy. There is very little plastic on this stand.

The guy at Sam Ash told me they weren't going to carry them anymore. I can't imagine why. The reason I considered them in the first place is that one of the guys I play with has a 10 year old stand by Groove Pack that has been beat to hell on the road, and the damn thing just won't quit. That plus the extra large tripod base make it a winner.

As for stability, I mount my CAD VX2 (one heavy phuqin' mic) 6.5' high with it without any problems. I still plan to get a dedicated big-boy stand for this mic (just to be safe), but I trust the MIS-33 until then. The stands will go quite low, yet run really high too.

I searched hard for a decent mic stand on the low end. I tried OnStage and Hercules (total POS!), and one other POS stand, and none were worth turds. Once I had this stand, I bought seven more.

- Jim

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2nd April 2007, 04:08 PM	#1
halcyo Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 402	Is there a god damn decent mic stand w/ TEETH!? What the ** is with all these shitty mic stands! Does somebody make a decent, reasonably priced, built to last stand with a boom clutch that's got ing teeth on it!? I am sick of having my mics setup, and coming in to the studio the next morning to see my mic has dropped about 3ft. Who decided that these 'infinite adjustment' clutches was a good idea? Is it just me, or does it seem like a racket to sell more mic stands once your boom clutch starts slipping? I swear, you buy these stands cause brand new they seem fine, and six months later everything is slipping, and the whole thing wobbles.... It's also going to really piss me off if the stands that DO have teeth, and are a bit sturdier are like 3x as much cost. I loathe the idea of putting out any more than $100 for a **ing stand, but I guess that's the crazy industry we're in. Any help would be wonderful. halcyo

2nd April 2007, 04:28 PM	#4
Sugarnutz Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lake Cormorant, MS Posts: 390	Over the years I have had good luck with these: Atlas SB36W Never had one droop on me, but again it's $300. Every studio needs at least one or two for your beter mics. One thing I always tried to do is balance the boom with the mic attached where the clutch doesn't have to do all the work. __________________ "I'll have a Cuervo & Buttermilk" The Original Dirty Mother

2nd April 2007, 04:49 PM	#5
Harvey Gerst Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sanger, TX Posts: 561	One word: Latchlake Welcome to Latch Lake Product - Your Source for quality guitar slides and microphone stands __________________ Harvey Gerst Indian Trail Recording Studio http://www.ITRstudio.com

2nd April 2007, 05:08 PM	#6
jcool Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 171	i don't think you read the original post, sir $700 is not $100

2nd April 2007, 04:19 PM	#3
scrubs Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NC Posts: 348	I've had pretty good luck with the Tama MS205: TAMA - MS205/MS205BK Boom Stand No teeth, but the boom arm clamps very tightly. I do have minor issues with the straight height extension, as it never clamps down as tightly as I'd like, but I haven't had any mics sag because of it (even heavy ribbon or tube mics).

2nd April 2007, 05:26 PM	#7
Stevil Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ca Posts: 1,095	um yeah, i'd say $300-700 would nOt be a Low End mic stand. are there $5000 mic stands to go with the $10000 mic's?

2nd April 2007, 05:43 PM	#8
Brian Middleton Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dorchester, Mass., USA Posts: 332	You might check out the On-Stage booms. I bought a pair of the On-Stage SMS7650's last year, and they're doing fine for me so far. They don't feel like they're built to last forever, but I would expect to get several years out of them. They're $160 each at Mercenary; sometimes you can find them for a bit less. There's also the 7630, which is smaller and lighter and sells for $100 each at Mercenary. It's impossible to tell from the product image whether the boom clutch is toothed or not. It definitely is on the 7650.

2nd April 2007, 05:50 PM	#9
Musiclab Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Elmont NY Posts: 3,202	I have a few different On Stage Studio Booms, they ,make one model that is more like the Atlas that's over a 100 dollars but they make another model with wider legs thats around 75 dollars. They both have teeth and I've had no problem ever hanging a heavy mic off of one __________________ Lou Gimenez www.musiclabnyc.com

2nd April 2007, 06:07 PM	#10
tINY Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 6,017	Banjo mart has 19' booms with teeth. The boom is fixed (doesn't slide back and forth) but it has teeth. Buy On-Stage Stands Posi-Lok Mini Boom online at Musician's Friend Looks like they come in 7, 13 and 19 inches. -tINY

2nd April 2007, 09:27 PM	#11
Jimbo Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Up AC's butt Posts: 1,020	Groove Pack MIS-33 I got pissed-off with non-teeth stands as well. I now own 8 of these: http://www.samash.com/catalog/showit...DepartmentID=9 Real metal teeth, and clutch. Real metal tripod base. Tripod is nice and wide. $30!!! They also come in black. SamAsh stores are not carrying them anymore so buy them while you can. - Jim __________________ allencollins sez: 1. I said 'pro' no pro would record springsteen. 2. As an audio professional I dont' like the sound of any of his records. They are flat, thin and boring. ?. I don't know John Cooper or clearmountain. But just due to Springsteen's clout in the industry I have no doubt they are top notch audio guys. Here: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-mu...sm-44-a-2.html

2nd April 2007, 09:45 PM	#13
max cooper Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,819	Good thread title, bee-otch.

3rd April 2007, 01:31 AM	#15
Sounds Great Gear Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Twin Cities, USA Posts: 10,810	Well you could get one of these and fix that sucker for good. __________________ You awake with a start To just the beating of your heart. Just one man beneath the sky, Just two ears, just two eyes.

3rd April 2007, 01:46 AM	#16
John Suitcase Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,260	I bought some of the SamAsh ones on sale for $12 each, and I've had good luck. The clutches have teeth so no slippage. My complaints is that the extensions have little collars that come out! You would think it would be possible to manufacture a decent stand for under $50, but apparently it's not that easy... Anyone tried to DIY stands? __________________ --------------------------------- Suitcase Recordings Indie, Punk, Garage - On Location Recording

3rd April 2007, 02:13 AM	#17
joelpatterson Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 3,421	I HEAR YOU! I had EXACTIMENTO the same gripe about a year ago, and fatefully enough I found that Warren Dent at Front End Audio was carrying this wonderful On Stage kit that gives you three lengths of boom arm that screw into a GEARED HUB WITH TEETH. Even in spite of the treacherously unreliable "On Stage" pedigree they have worked perfectly, and I do treat them gently because I appreciate how valuable they are. Yeah, you lock the gears together, there's none of this CRANK THIS SUCKER DOWN AS HARD AS I CAN AND HOPE THE WEIGHT OF THE MIC DOESN'T SLOWLY OVERCOME THE FRICTION FIT, instead it just stays where it is. Amazing. __________________ Mountaintop Studios ~the peak of perfection~ Petersburgh NY 12138 mountaintop@taconic.net

3rd April 2007, 02:37 AM	#18
6strings Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New England Posts: 1,039	The On Stage boom does seem to work nice in terms of adjustment. The only thing that make me nervous is the weld-point at the joint for the boom seems like it's a potential weak point. I'm trying to baby it and make sure the boom is pretty much balanced before locking to avoid wear and tear... Also, making sure not to stress the weld by attempting to move the boom without first loosening the appropriate knob. Hopefully I'll get more than a few years out of it... I don't know the warranty off hand, but I had the clutch on smaller stand give out (stripped nut or screw). I called the company and they sent a replacement part within three days - no questions asked.

3rd April 2007, 05:29 AM	#19
Omicron_9 Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New England, USA Posts: 492	Yeah.... Used to have the same problem here. I now have three of these, and want a couple more: OnStage SMS7650 Studio Boom Microphone Stand with Casters from zZounds.com $129. with free shipping. The entire stand is way heavy, so the free shipping on this is quite a bonus. All tooth'ed at the boom and the 7" extension at the end of the boom; very stable. Everything locks into place, no matter how heavy the mic. Counterweight and base are both quite heavy. These stay in place and aren't tipsy at all. Note: I have no affiliation with either zzounds or OnStage; I just like the reliability of these stands and the prices and customer service on things like this at zzounds. Regards, -0.9 __________________ "Signature-line free since 2004!"

3rd April 2007, 05:59 AM	#20
halcyo Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 402	I dare one person to give me ONE good reason that a mic stand should NOT have teeth on the boom clutch! Just give me one! I may be paranoid, but it seems like a scam to me. That onstage stand looks nice, but it looks friggen huge for some reason in that pic! I have a fairly small space, so I was hoping for something like that, but in a more 'standard' mic stand shape.... Jimbo - how's the build quality on those stands you got, for real? When I really think about it, the damn 'infinite slip' clutch is really the only problem I've had with all the stands I've used. halcyo

3rd April 2007, 10:39 AM	#21
necro2607 Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 20	I agree.. absolutely drives me insane. It's even worse when you're playing a live show and the venue has those lame-ass mic stands that slowly bend downwards as you're playing...

3rd April 2007, 11:46 AM	#22
i51423 Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hatfield, PA Posts: 250	I stripped out my On-Stage kick mic stand because of the ever slipping clutch. __________________ Hi, I'm Nick.

3rd April 2007, 03:34 PM	#25
halcyo Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 402	Ok, so you can get the arm 3ft shorter? That would probably work alot better. I just might try one out.... halcyo

4th April 2007, 03:20 AM	#26
cjogo Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: CARMEL Posts: 744	We use the early Film/Theatre stands COLORTRAN or simliar. You can crack walnuts with their teeth/grip __________________ Crystal Studios

4th April 2007, 03:39 AM	#27
dpianomn Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 189	this has nothing to do with a boom, but for extra protection i generally will put some 5 or 10 pound weights around the base of the stand. gives me a little more peace of mind with an expensive mic up there __________________ www.thedpband.com www.myspace.com/davepittenger

4th April 2007, 04:23 AM	#29
tunetown Gear nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 130	Check out this little beauty. http://www.latchlakemusic.com/micking_stand.html If I had the dosh.........I probably still wouldn't buy one........ Cheers __________________ Peter Houghton www.tunetown.com.au