Is anyone using a K&M 174 accordion stand?

[Rosie C]

I have a big gig in December where in addition to my usual singing and mandolin I was planning to do a few numbers on accordion. But I've had back problems in the last couple of weeks, and I would need to use my Concerto III which has a fuller sound as well as built-in mics to hook up direct to the PA. I'm not looking forward to lugging the Concerto around, so I'm wondering about one of the K&M stands. My thinking would be to use it to store the accordion at near chest height, so I don't have to bend to pick it up / put it down. I wondered if anyone else is using one and can give some feedback? Particularly how well it holds the accordion, how easy it is to remove the accordion, and whether there's any risk of damaging the instrument?

 

[Tom]

Hi Rosie. I have one and it is very nice. It is definitely sturdy enough and suitable for its purpose. I have used it on a few events but went to a smaller, lighter accordion when I want to stand and play. It is a little tricky to get the accordion on, but you can get used to it. I see only two drawbacks: It’s pretty expensive and I can not use it easily for sitting down. I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming events!

 

[Rosie C]

Hi Rosie. I have one and it is very nice. It is definitely sturdy enough and suitable for its purpose. I have used it on a few events but went to a smaller, lighter accordion when I want to stand and play. It is a little tricky to get the accordion on, but you can get used to it. I see only two drawbacks: It’s pretty expensive and I can not use it easily for sitting down. I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming events!

Thanks for the reply Tom!

It is expensive, and I've not really seen an alternative. I also wonder whether the cost of a stand could be put towards having microphones fitted to my Weltmeister Perle, but then the Hohner has a better sound.

 

[Tom]

No prob! Maybe it depends upon how often you plan to use it?

 

[lmschgo]

Are you looking for a stand that holds the accordion while playing, or just easier access, no extensive bending and lifting, in order to strap on the accordion?

https://www.amazon.com/Nomad-Music-Adjustable-Accordion-Stand/dp/B0D2Z5GVS2/ref=asc_df_B0D2Z5GVS2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=695630883492&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14534438405708815163&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9198442&hvtargid=pla-2316999456868&psc=1&mcid=9f49ffecd17431a8923904e3b4231914&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=695630883492&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14534438405708815163&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9198442&hvtargid=pla-2316999456868&psc=1

 

[Rosie C]

Are you looking for a stand that holds the accordion while playing, or just easier access, no extensive bending and lifting, in order to strap on the accordion?

https://www.amazon.com/Nomad-Music-Adjustable-Accordion-Stand/dp/B0D2Z5GVS2/ref=asc_df_B0D2Z5GVS2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=695630883492&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14534438405708815163&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9198442&hvtargid=pla-2316999456868&psc=1&mcid=9f49ffecd17431a8923904e3b4231914&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=695630883492&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14534438405708815163&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9198442&hvtargid=pla-2316999456868&psc=1

The second option - trying to avoid bending and lifting.

Thanks for the link, that looks like a good option - and a heck of a lot cheaper!

EDIT: Amazon USA offered free postage, so I've ordered one... a couple of weeks for delivery though

 

[Rosie C]

No prob! Maybe it depends upon how often you plan to use it?

Well, I have one gig in mind, but it can live in my practice room and be where I keep my accordion

 

[Tom]

Well, I have one gig in mind, but it can live in my practice room and be where I keep my accordion

True. If you like using it, you can leave it like that and just walk up and play when you want to practice.

 

[Pipemajor]

Amazon USA offered free postage, so I've ordered one...

That's interesting. I just looked on Amazon USA and the are charging $35 postage to the UK.
What's the secret?

 

[Rosie C]

Yes, from amazon.com I had similar. But if you visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D2Z5GVS2 there's a listing for a stand sent from Amazon USA. I had the choice between £35 for one week delivery, or free for two week delivery (see photo). I do have Amazon Prime, which might affect the price.

 

[Pipemajor]

Thanks Rosie,
I think you're paying the same price either way.
US Amazon is $69 plus $35 delivery.
UK amazon is £83 with free delivery.
Not sure of the current rate of exchange but it probably works out the same near enough.
Both have to be shipped from the US

 

[Rosie C]

Thanks Rosie,
I think you're paying the same price either way.
US Amazon is $69 plus $35 delivery.
UK amazon is £83 with free delivery.
Not sure of the current rate of exchange but it probably works out the same near enough.
Both have to be shipped from the US

Ah, sneaky! But yes, either way several kilos of steel are being shipped a few thousand miles!

 

[Rosie C]

Yes, from amazon.com I had similar. But if you visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D2Z5GVS2 there's a listing for a stand sent from Amazon USA. I had the choice between £35 for one week delivery, or free for two week delivery (see photo). I do have Amazon Prime, which might affect the price.

Hmm, several weeks on the stand should have arrived, but the order was sat in some kind of limbo. Customer services promised to resolve but didn't. So I've cancelled and re-ordered direct from amazon.com today. As @Pipemajor said, the price is almost identical between the two websites, once you add in the postage and apply the exchange rate.

 

[Rosie C]

It arrived today. It's not as tall as it seemed in the photos on the Amazon listing. But I like the way it adjusts to suit the width of my accordion and the foam padding means it's not going to damage it. There is height adjustment too, but I set it to maximum. Overall, I'm happy. At £70 it was a heck of a lot cheaper than the K&M accordion stand, and it will save me putting it on the floor at gigs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2Z5GVS2

 

[Ventura]

i suggest doing some tests of the center of gravity
with the accordion in place.. bump from different angles
to see if there is a fatal angle which you need to account for
i use a similar but lower "amp stand" type, which the "seat" is
tilted back a bit more than this one.. i also put plates across
both the back and seating arms with padding for better fit and
stability, also allowing the accordion to fit in either bottomed
or upright positions

upright is more handy to me when performing as it is easier
to quickly grab it or drop it down again multiple times in a set

so some little added hook to loop a strap across as an added
protection in case the accordion gets bumped forward ?

 

[Rosie C]

i suggest doing some tests of the center of gravity
with the accordion in place.. bump from different angles
to see if there is a fatal angle which you need to account for
i use a similar but lower "amp stand" type, which the "seat" is
tilted back a bit more than this one.. i also put plates across
both the back and seating arms with padding for better fit and
stability, also allowing the accordion to fit in either bottomed
or upright positions

upright is more handy to me when performing as it is easier
to quickly grab it or drop it down again multiple times in a set

so some little added hook to loop a strap across as an added
protection in case the accordion gets bumped forward ?

Good advice, thanks. I might be able to do something with longish bolts fitted to the front with rubber hose fitted over.

 

[John Doe]

I have two very similar stands. On one of them I fitted wooden shelves over the arms (glued them down so they don't shift about though that's probably not required). It makes the accordions a lot more stable on the arms. On the second I fitted a length of foam pipe insulation (pre slit to fit over pipes) to stabilize the accordion and keep it from any marring. (This one was the type where a single transverse pipe runs across the front under the keyboard vice the two rectangular arms from the back system) I also have wire shelving with wood shelfs fit over the wire shelves since otherwise the accordion legs catch in the wires. More than sturdy enough for any instruments- and I have the things four high with extra space for a halfshelf devoted to an old diatonic. I did anchor the whole thing to the wall so it can't tip but it shows no sign of being likely to do so in any case.

Pictures of all three attached for your consideration.

 

[Mike t.]

The second option - trying to avoid bending and lifting.

Thanks for the link, that looks like a good option - and a heck of a lot cheaper!

EDIT: Amazon USA offered free postage, so I've ordered one... a couple of weeks for delivery though

This doesn’t really help right now, but might give you some ideas. I made this years ago as a way to have my accordion accessible. I practice more if not… (out of sight, out of mind). The base is a very heavy steel ring with a wooden center and the cradle is welded 3/8” steel round stock, I have some vinyl tubing slipped over the lower supports. The whole frame is covered with a towel then on goes the accordion with the straps behind. Makes lifting the beast easy. I would have made the whole thing from wood today. I will say it is very stable and have never had any mishaps in the 40 years of using it. Raised four kids and there was plenty cause for mishaps! If you know a woodworker/fabricator?