ROEDER STANDS-----FLAT or ANGLED

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 1 Apr 2013 11:48 am

I was looking at Mark Roeder's Deluxe 34 stand website and he offers "flat" and 10 or 20 degree angled stands.

Anyone care to share insight on why one would choose angled over flat for a reason other than "the audience can better see what one is doing"?

Do you, who uses Roeder stands, primarily stand or sit while using the "stand" to play lap steel?

Thanks.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 1 Apr 2013 12:09 pm

That's pretty much the reason I would get an angled stand - so the audience could see what I'm doing.

James Inkster · Post by **James Inkster** » 1 Apr 2013 1:37 pm

A couple years back Mark made me a stand for my bakelite.
Great stand!

I *believe* Mark went even further and built me one that was close to 30 degrees, as my main motivation was to play while standing so the audience could see what I'm doing (to me there's not much showmanship sitting in a corner looking at my lap -- same with dobro, I prefer to play standing).
I was nervous about the extreme angle, but other than the occcccasional bit of nervousness that I'll lose the bar on a reverse slant, I hardly notice it. In fact, I kinda prefer the angle of my arms to having it sit flat on my lap.

Your mileage may vary, but I wouldn't shy away from some angle on there..

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 1 Apr 2013 5:53 pm

I originally made the angle for myself after watching Junior Brown and seeing how much better it is as an audience member to see what he does. He is nearly vertical on his guit-steel. Don't know if he ever drops his bar.

I like the 20 degrees and I can adjust the legs if I want more or less. On the other hand I don't want to talk anyone into anything and not be happy with their choice. I need to design a tilt-a-matic so you do either!

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 2 Apr 2013 4:50 am

I have tried both and prefer the straight brackets. If you are playing in a sitting position the straight brackets allow you to get the base of the stand up high enough so your knee easily clears it when using s volume pedal. Using an angled bracket elevates the guitar, which makes the stand base relatively lower.

You can always angle the instrument by lowering the front leg(s). That's what JB did.

My two cents.

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 2 Apr 2013 7:09 am

I have to angle mine due to right hand carpal tunnel... just a little angle helps a lot.

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 2 Apr 2013 7:59 am

Stephen Cowell wrote:I have to angle mine due to right hand carpal tunnel... just a little angle helps a lot.

Excellent point! Does having a angle affect your sight lines at all? From purely the player's vision standpoint only, is there any advantage to flat or angled?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 2 Apr 2013 9:26 am

Flat is much more comfortable for me, but a slight angle is cool, too.

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 2 Apr 2013 10:16 am

Stephen Abruzzo wrote:
Stephen Cowell wrote:I have to angle mine due to right hand carpal tunnel... just a little angle helps a lot.
Excellent point! Does having a angle affect your sight lines at all? From purely the player,s vision standpoint only, is there any advantage to flat or angled?

As you angle the board out, the high string falls off the fretboard more and more... not so bad on a light-colored guitar, but on my walnut D8 SM you can't even see the high string anymore. Definitely a concern... helps you to play by feel, though... r.e. Nietzsche.

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 2 Apr 2013 11:05 am

I have found the angle uncomfortable for sitting too. I really thought of it as a standing use.