Choosing a Guitar Stand

A guitar stand protects your instrument from damage and keeps it handy when you need to play. It also prevents the dreaded scenario of leaning your prized possession against an amp or wall and watching it fall over, potentially leaving behind a permanent scratch or worse, a cracked neck. At Sweetwater, we have a wide range of stands to choose from to meet your guitar’s needs.

The best standing mounts feature a yoke design that holds the guitar in place without applying pressure on the neck. Most of our stands also offer padded arms that provide added protection to the finish of your instrument. For added stability, we recommend choosing a stand with a weighted base and/or a locking mechanism to keep the guitar from tipping or falling over.

For those who want to save floor space, wall-hanging stands are a great option. They don’t require much assembly and typically fold away into a small footprint – some models are so compact that they can fit in your guitar case! For those who regularly perform on stage, a portable tripod stand might be your best choice. These sturdy, stable stands feature a base that can be folded up and locked into position for portability. The legs also often have a curved design to seat the body of your guitar, preventing it from rolling or falling over.

If you plan to store your guitar in a traditional tower or tripod stand, be sure to opt for one that features an adjustable height and width adjustment so it can accommodate a variety of body styles and sizes. The top-rated Hercules stand, for example, is built with this in mind and allows you to adjust the neck cradle to hold different guitar shapes and sizes securely.

Tower or tripod stands that have a flat, rectangular shape can sometimes feel unstable on uneven ground or in high-traffic areas. A few models we tested, however, have a pentagonal design with five smaller legs that serve to support the body of your guitar and balance out its weight. One model, the Hercules GS302B Travlite, is particularly good at this and offers better stability than other models of this type.

Regardless of your preferred style of guitar stand, the most important factor in selecting an ideal model is to find one that is well-made and reputable. Look for a stand with a solid construction and a durable powder coat finish that will resist wear and tear from regular use. It should also have thick padding at any points where the stand makes contact with the instrument or its case to prevent scratches and other damage. We recommend checking your stand regularly for loose or missing parts and replacing them as needed. You should also wipe down your stand periodically with a clean cloth to remove dust and dirt that may build up on the surface of your guitar.