This review delves into the assembly and performance of a budget-friendly triple guitar stand purchased from eBay for £7. Unlike many professionally reviewed stands, this one offered a unique challenge: a DIY assembly process with minimal instructions. The reviewer, initially skeptical given the low price and unassuming packaging, documents their experience from unboxing to final assembly, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of the product. Particular attention is paid to the assembly process, noting unexpected difficulties and design flaws encountered along the way.The review provides a detailed account of the challenges faced during assembly, focusing on issues with the included screws, unclear instructions, and the need for improvisation. It compares the stand's performance to a higher-end K&M model, ultimately assessing its suitability for home use versus more demanding gigging scenarios. The final verdict offers a balanced perspective on the stand’s value for money, considering its sturdiness, potential weaknesses, and overall functionality.
Pros And Cons
- Cheap (£7)
- Sturdy enough for home use
- Foldable for storage
- Dusty and dirty upon arrival
- Poor quality foam padding requiring additional work (piercing holes for screws)
- Release buttons seem flimsy
- May not be durable enough for gigging or frequent transport
Read more: Best Guitar Stands 2025: Top 10 Reviews & Comparison
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
The unboxing revealed a generic-looking triple guitar stand, surprisingly similar to the branded Fender version. The packaging was dusty, hinting at possibly less-than-ideal storage conditions. My initial reaction was one of mild skepticism; would this cheap stand be sturdy enough for my precious instruments?
The included parts looked straightforward enough, but the instructions were minimal, printed only on the box. This added a small layer of DIY challenge to the assembly process. I anticipated the build to be relatively simple, judging by the number of parts.
Assembly Process and Challenges
The first few steps were easy. The base was assembled quickly and without any issues, but the subsequent steps proved more difficult. The included screws were a challenge to work with. They required more force than anticipated, and I found myself needing to improvise a solution to some unexpected issues. Overall, the assembly was tedious and slightly frustrating.
I encountered some challenges assembling the feet. The instructions were unclear, forcing me to experiment. Furthermore, the foam padding was poorly implemented and the holes had to be manually created using a tool. I also misaligned one of the support pieces during assembly, which caused a bit of extra work.
Final Assembly and First Impressions of the Finished Product
After some effort, the stand was finally assembled. While functional, the final product was less than perfect. The foam padding could have been better applied for a more secure fit, and some parts seemed a little flimsy. The overall build quality seemed adequate for the price, but certainly not premium.
The finished stand seemed reasonably sturdy for home use, but I'm less sure of its durability under gigging conditions. The release buttons felt a little too easy to press, raising concerns about accidental collapses. Despite some imperfections, the stand accomplished its purpose.
Comparison with Existing Stand and Conclusion
I compared this new triple stand to my older K&M stand, which was great for a single acoustic guitar, but had developed cracks from the weight of my electric guitars. The new stand provides a solution for storing multiple guitars, preventing the issues I was having with my older stand.
Overall, the £7 triple guitar stand from eBay offers decent value for home use. While not perfect, its sturdiness is satisfactory for its price. The assembly was a bit tedious due to vague instructions and some design flaws, but the end result is functional. For gigging or heavy-duty use, a higher-quality model might be a safer choice.
