TromboneChat

I recently inherited a bass trombone and it seems a little too big for the K&M stand (14985) that I use for my tenors. I really like the K&M design, (the one with straight tubes for legs) but it seems like the disc is too small for the 9 5/8" bell and perhaps the additional weight might require something with a little bit wider stance at the base.

It appears that the K&M bass trombone version (14910) is no longer available at a reasonable price and shipping time. Are these discontinued? Any other recommendations?

In my experience, the stands with non-tubular legs seemed to get bent legs over time. Thanks

The K&M 14990.

FWIW, I use a 14985 at work for bass and tenor with no issues. I have the really wide and normal 14990s at home.

A lot of people get the 14990, but I don't like the legs on that - they're thin and its easy to ding your slide crook on them, plus they stay too close to the center.

I use the 14985. If you don't like the bell support, you can put a big hole in an old plunger and put that on the stand. I set it up so the slide just barely touches the ground or put it up high enough to put the slide over a leg.

I've even used an Aida for a bass, but I stay next to the instrument at all times.

also, try several cloths/towels to provide padding.

https://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/tro ... stands.php

Looks like Hickey's has the K&M bass trombone stand in stock and also has an exclusive K&M model that is even sturdier than the 14990: https://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/tro ... y-duty.php

I have 3 of the 14990 - one slightly broken one at home, two in my BU studio - and a 14985 that lives in my car and comes to gigs. I like that the 14985 is lighter and smaller, and I also like that you can't trip over the legs. And that you can buy replacement parts from Hickey's.

They are all plenty sturdy for a bass trombone. Position the instrument so that the slide is directly over or right next to one of the legs, and it is very unlikely to go over.

I, too, use the K&M 14985 with my Greenhoe bass trombone with no problems. The horn is rock solid on it.

I usually use the K&M 14990 for my (mere) 9½" bell bass trombone, though the K&M 14985 that I usually use for my large-bore tenor would be sufficient (with legs less-likely to be hit by the slide crook). For my small-bore tenor, I often use an On-Stage stand. All my stands are equipped with a soft, absorbent (and decent-looking) Hamilton Bone Sock.

I don't have the 14910 for obvious reasons; to me, that cone is too bulky for being on the go. And it adds a good amount of weight.

For my needs, the 14985 works in a pinch, but i prefer the 14990 (actually the 14991, the old UMI stand with bent legs) for bass. Few stands are sturdier than them, and the base can be splayed quite wide as necessary.

Some kind of sock to absorb moisture (all 3 of mine have Hamilton bone socks) is a must.

After hearing so much support for the 14985 with bass, I reconsidered my initial feelings. I lowered the disc so that the stand's tip is much further up into the bell. It no longer has the lean that it did before and now feels a lot sturdier. Looks like I'm gonna order another 14985. Thanks everyone.

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 3:09 pm The K&M 14990.

FWIW, I use a 14985 at work for bass and tenor with no issues. I have the really wide and normal 14990s at home.

I have the same exact experience. I have two 14991s at home (the bent leg version of the 14990), and a 14985 that lives in my car for rehearsals and gigs. I've never had any trouble holding either tenor or bass trombones with any of them.

The low profile leg design of the 14985 definitely helps in cramped areas.

The Woodwind Design Bass Trombone stand is my go-to stand. It packs into the bell, weighs about a pound, and is the most solid bass bone stand I have ever had...even better than K&M because of it's packability! It is, however, expensive, but well worth it!

Here is a link to it at The Horn Guys:
https://hornguys.com/collections/trombo ... bone-stand

ssking2b wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2025 10:19 am The Woodwind Design Bass Trombone stand is my go-to stand. It packs into the bell, weighs about a pound, and is the most solid bass bone stand I have ever had...even better than K&M because of it's packability! It is, however, expensive, but well worth it!

Here is a link to it at The Horn Guys:
https://hornguys.com/collections/trombo ... bone-stand

You have to set them up well though. I found them to be less straightforward than KM stands

bassbone1993 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2025 2:47 pm

ssking2b wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2025 10:19 am The Woodwind Design Bass Trombone stand is my go-to stand. It packs into the bell, weighs about a pound, and is the most solid bass bone stand I have ever had...even better than K&M because of it's packability! It is, however, expensive, but well worth it!

Here is a link to it at The Horn Guys:
https://hornguys.com/collections/trombo ... bone-stand

You have to set them up well though. I found them to be less straightforward than KM stands

I agree that the Woodwind Design stand is nice (clever design, well made, packable, sturdy) but I also agree that it is a pain to pack and unpack.

Maybe I'm just lazy - it probably doesn't really take more than a minute or two to do. But simply folding/unfolding the legs on a K&M or Hamilton stand is so much quicker and easier. I keep a Hamilton stand in the trunk of my car and use that at rehearsals and gigs. I use my Woodwind Design stand at home.

Not lazy at all. What ever make you happy is cool. I just like having the stand in my bell for the times I don’t need a mute bag, or extra crap to carry.

For bass trombone, I sometimes use a stand I cobbled together from the top of a K&M stand and the bottom of a double-braced cymbal stand. It's absolutely rock solid, but it takes up a lot more space than a normal stand.

You can definitely use the regular K&M stands for bass though. As others have said above, there's a knack to setting them up right. The trick is to get the legs as wide as possible and the trombone low to the ground with the slide over one of the legs. In that configuration it's very stable and shouldn't fall over unless someone deliberately shoves it. I have a slight preference for the version with tubular legs as it lets you get the trombone a bit closer to the ground.

In general, K&M are a safe buy. I've owned a bunch of their stuff over the years and can't remember ever breaking anything. Surprisingly reasonable price for the quality as well, at least in Europe.

Sharps Pitch-it five leg IV stand. Put a plunger on it.

Cool mod with the cymbal stand base and K&M top!

I have one of the original UMI 14990 (perhaps 14991?) stands. Heavy-duty, bent legs. It’s probably 30 years old. I had to replace the main height adjustment knob when the threads stripped. It now has a hex-key knob, so it stays at home. My other is more recent and goes with me on gigs.

Before that, I had two Hamiltons. The legs on both of them were broken on gigs. Waste of money.

Not for bass trombone: an old Allsop Stand-In that was available 40+ years ago. I bought it on a special price for ITA members on promotion. I use it for my 36. Oh, and a Belmonté I picked up at Goodwill for $5!

I use the 14990 for both tenor and bass. Works beautifully (for me).

greenbean wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:18 am I use the 14990 for both tenor and bass. Works beautifully (for me).

I wish they were a bit cheaper! The price has gone up quite a bit since the last time I purchased one.

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 3:09 pm The K&M 14990.

FWIW, I use a 14985 at work for bass and tenor with no issues. I have the really wide and normal 14990s at home.

It would be important to know whether my classy Chivas Regal pouch (with an old tube stock for padding inside) works with this stand.

mrdeacon wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 5:09 pm

greenbean wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:18 am I use the 14990 for both tenor and bass. Works beautifully (for me).

I wish they were a bit cheaper! The price has gone up quite a bit since the last time I purchased one.

Says the man with $10K worth of Rath horns...

JTeagarden wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 7:42 am

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 3:09 pm The K&M 14990.

FWIW, I use a 14985 at work for bass and tenor with no issues. I have the really wide and normal 14990s at home.

It would be important to know whether my classy Chivas Regal pouch (with an old tube stock for padding inside) works with this stand.

Yes, it fits. The Chivas bag won't work as a mute on any bass trombone, though

JTeagarden wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 7:43 am

mrdeacon wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 5:09 pm
I wish they were a bit cheaper! The price has gone up quite a bit since the last time I purchased one.

Says the man with $10K worth of Rath horns...

LOL you got me there! I have no defense your honor.