Suggestions For Converting A Tripod Into A Lap Steel Stand

Ron Yarboro · Post by **Ron Yarboro** » 19 Sep 2010 12:11 pm

Hello to all,
Does anyone have any suggestions for converting this tripod into a lap steel stand?

The bar on the top is quite thin, and there is no way to secure the guitar to the bar. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Pictures are below, Thanks.

Ron

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 19 Sep 2010 2:00 pm

Ron, the tri-pod looks a little flimsy to put an expensive instrument on especially if you gig around alcoholic beverage sales. Here's my solution. It is a converted heavy duty cymbal stand $25 on Ebay. The most expensive part was the sliding pivot; a Bimini top fitting from West Marine, another $25. Oh, yes and then a little carpentry.

Ron Yarboro · Post by **Ron Yarboro** » 19 Sep 2010 2:33 pm

Hi David,
Thanks for your reply. Thats a nice looking stand you have there. I don't play out, I'm new to electric lap steel. I just need something for the house. Did You make The metal brackets that's in contact with the waist and the neck?

Thanks,
R.Y.

Kekoa Blanchet · Post by **Kekoa Blanchet** » 19 Sep 2010 2:57 pm

Here's another lap steel stand made from drum hardware. This one is made from a conga stand. A conga stand is very sturdy and has a platform welded to the top, so I could bolt my guitar adapter to that. The base of the adapter is a piece of maple, and the three brackets (2 U-shaped, one almost flat) are heavy steel strapping from the hardware store, bent in a vise. Everything is painted black, and adhesive-backed foam weatherstripping covers the steel brackets. Works great, feels very secure.

I share David's concern about the flimsiness of the tripod in your photos. The stand below, I built after watching that Ric take a sickening fall from a makeshift stand. No permanent damage, but it sure gave me religion.

Ron Yarboro · Post by **Ron Yarboro** » 19 Sep 2010 3:53 pm

Hi Kekoa,
That looks very cool. Could you tell me what brand/model# Conga Stand you used? I'm tall, can It be adjusted high? Thank you and David for taking the time to post the pictures.

R.Y.

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 19 Sep 2010 7:37 pm

Ron, I made the waist brackets and then discovered I had been super paranoid, so I was able later to reduce their height by half. It was aluminum flat stock long enough to bend- from Lowe's hardware. I cut two blocks to the shape of the guitar, actually a little tighter to allow for spring back. Then I put the lot in a large vise. The aluminum complained a bit, but went into shape, then I polished the plates with Brasso.

Kekoa, love your stand! Probably more adaptable than mine. There's a Tricone just out of my picture too.

Kekoa Blanchet · Post by **Kekoa Blanchet** » 19 Sep 2010 10:28 pm

David, I had to smile when I saw your Rickenbacker perched atop a drum stand. And now to hear that you have a tricone sitting just outside the photo you posted. Separated at birth, perhaps?

I like your use of the Bimini fitting -- it adds to that retro stand look.

Ron, I don't recall the brand of the conga stand. It's in California right now, and I won't see it again for a few months. Sorry about that. I got it at a going-out-of business sale at a music store a while back. Cost about $35, as I recall, though I don't know what the list price would have been. It does adjust fairly high -- more than I need. One limitation, though, is that it doesn't adjust low enough to use while seated.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 20 Sep 2010 3:55 am

the tripod looks like a disaster waiting to happen. too top heavy. better would be to go to goodwill and buy a walker. they are cheap...$5 or so. fold up and would be much better than the tripod. you can modify them easily to the height you need.

i like the drum hardware stands pictured.

George Piburn · Post by **George Piburn** » 20 Sep 2010 5:26 am

Ray Shakeshaft · Post by **Ray Shakeshaft** » 20 Sep 2010 5:34 am

When are we going to see reasonably priced adjustable legs and fittings on the market?. A glance at Ebay will show inexpensive LS guitars with legs so obviously someone is making them.

I am currently using the metal parts of an invalid table that someone had put out for the garbage collecter. It had no table top but with lagging tubing on the arms it is perfect.

I have to say that putting my B6 on a tripod is asking too much of my courage and peace of mind.

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 20 Sep 2010 5:41 am

Maybe you should commission a portrait of your lap steel to display on your stand. Just a thought.

Ron Yarboro · Post by **Ron Yarboro** » 20 Sep 2010 7:37 am

Thanks everyone for you reply's. I scratched the tripod idea yesterday. It was just an idea that quickly died. George, I contacted Mark Roeder a few months ago regarding his custom stands, but I don't want to spend that much at this time. I'm sure Marks stands are worth every penny. For now I'll just continue to play my guitar on my lap until I'm ready to spend that much money. Thanks again everyone.

Ron

George Piburn · Post by **George Piburn** » 20 Sep 2010 8:54 am

Ron Yarboro · Post by **Ron Yarboro** » 20 Sep 2010 9:03 am

Thanks George, your help is appreciated.

ron

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 20 Sep 2010 10:07 am

I've just ordered this K&M keyboard stand,- I'm a tall guy (195cm) and it's about the only one I've come across that's tall enough without costing me an arm and a leg. I like it because it's solid, has good room for pedals etc (unlike the x-stands), and extends to just over 100cm at full height.

Ron Yarboro · Post by **Ron Yarboro** » 20 Sep 2010 10:26 am

Hi Steiner,
May I asked where you ordered the stand from? Also, do you plan on securing the guitar to the stand, or will you just lay It on the stand? Thanks for posting.

Ron

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 20 Sep 2010 10:37 am

That km stand is $175-199...ouch

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 20 Sep 2010 12:37 pm

Bill Hatcher wrote:That km stand is $175-199...ouch

Yeah, it's probably more expensive in the US than over here since it's produced in Germany. I gave approx $135-140 for it here.

Ron, I ordered it locally in Norway. Not sure how to set it up with the lap steel yet, I need to see it 'in person' first. Since it probably needs another 5cm to be ideal height for me to stand and play comfortably, I may just lay my lap steel's flightcase on top and cover it with some sort of blanket....

Ron Yarboro · Post by **Ron Yarboro** » 20 Sep 2010 12:42 pm

Steinar Gregertsen wrote:
Bill Hatcher wrote:That km stand is $175-199...ouch
Yeah, it's probably more expensive in the US than over here since it's produced in Germany. I gave approx $135-140 for it here.

Ron, I ordered it locally in Norway. Not sure how to set it up with the lap steel yet, I need to see it 'in person' first. Since it probably needs another 5cm to be ideal height for me to stand and play comfortably, I may just lay my lap steel's flightcase on top and cover it with some sort of blanket....

Steinar,
I hope it works well for you.

Thanks,
ron

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 20 Sep 2010 1:20 pm

Steinar,Stand for a tall guy costs an arm and a leg.

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 20 Sep 2010 1:59 pm

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 21 Sep 2010 8:19 am

You guys DO know that you can pick up used walkers at the Salvation Army for $5 - $15, depending on how many of them they have?

(It may come in handy later, too.)

Just don't get the kind with wheels, unless it's a comedy act.

Kekoa Blanchet · Post by **Kekoa Blanchet** » 21 Sep 2010 12:35 pm

David, the first lap steel stand I made (after the drop-the-Ric disaster mentioned above) was a walker. Just like you said, about $5 at the thrift store. It was nice and light, easy to build, and very serviceable. The guitar rested in a couple of U-shaped brackets attached to the handles of the walker -- very secure. The brackets were attached to the walker using hose clamps. That's the stand you see (vaguely) in my photo to the left. But the conga stand version is a little steadier (I tried several different brands of walker, some better than others), and I like the retro look of a stand similar to the old lap steel stands (like the one shown below).

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 23 Sep 2010 2:15 pm

I'm just reminding myself here that its called a "Lap Steel"

I don't like spending money on anything.

James.

Lowell Gilbertson · Post by **Lowell Gilbertson** » 26 Sep 2010 3:44 pm

I have a high quality Manfrotto tripod for my camera with a quick release that screws into the bottom of the camera. I thought it would be easy to cut a piece of wood to match the body of my 6 string ( that I converted into a steel with a nut extender), put a capture nut into the wood that matched the quick release bolt. To attach the guitar to the wood base, I went through a number of ideas before I realized I could glue with Elmers a sheet of Velcro to the back of my guitar (no worries, it will come right off with a little moisture) and cover the wood with the other side of the Velcro. Simple and if you get the point of attachment exactly at the center of gravity of the guitar, it will be very stable.

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Suggestions For Converting A Tripod Into A Lap Steel Stand

Suggestions For Converting A Tripod Into A Lap Steel Stand

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