Music Stand

I like this music stand. It reminds me of an art-deco style. Is that the correct description of it? I love maple and walnut together, and this is a great use of the color contrast. I recently saw an episode of “The Incurable Collector” with the topic being George Nakashima furniture collectors. Nakashima built a music stand that sold at auction for around $32,000 (after his death unfortunately).

Something to shoot for in both of our careers with wood.

I was watching my pastor play guitar and lead us in songs at small Bible study this past Wednesday night, while he was straining to see the music sheet laying on the floor. I was thinking then, that I should make him a gift music stand. I would want it to be foldable, and toteable, either strapping to his guitar case, or fitting into a small bag that he could carry with him. Then, Thursday morning I checked out new projects posted here, and saw your music stand. Providential?

Got any ideas that might help me?
thanks for posting this piece,
Mark DeCou
www.decoustudio.com

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan

Thanks for the comments, Mark.

I often use the maple/walnut combination. I’m always struck by the effect. (And, I have a nearly unlimited supply of native walnut.)

Regarding your design of a portable stand, I have played around with some ideas, but it’s tough to make any wooden piece strong enough and still be collapsable. The legs aren’t too big a problem, there are several sliding options that would work well, but the trick is the joint between the legs and the shelf. I think the best option may be to have the shelf detach completely.

For a different approach, and some more ideas, check out Mr. Standman:

http://www.misterstandman.com/

He’s made a business of this and found a good market.

Cheers,
Dennis

Hey Dennis:
since you like using maple and walnut together, I thought I would ask you a design question. I have a large natural edge, thick walnut top that I made recently. I was wanting to put in on a base. I bought some hard maple a while back that has some tiger stripe figure (not a lot, but some stripe), and have been wondering if a maple base would look good under the walnut top. I would do something similar to a trestle leg design along the style that George Nakashima did back when he was alive. I have seen walnut bases with maple tops, but never the other way around. Is a light colored base too light for a table? Thought I would ask you to see if you had any thoughts on the subject.

thanks,
Mark DeCou
www.decoustudio.com

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan

Mark,

I’ve always gone with a walnut base for a light top, because the light colored maple draws the attention immediately—I suspect even more so with figured wood.

Having said that, I’ve never been a slave to that sort of convention. In your case, the natural edge of the walnut slab may actually be accentuated by the contrasting base. That Nakashima-styled trestle invites attention anyway. Go for it!

Can’t wait to see the results.

I’ve been in the process of relocating for the last eight months for a job change. I finally found a house that meets my requirements (of course, by that I mean it has a suitable shop) so I should be back up and running soon.

Dennis

caocian

I enjoy the simplicity of the design, an inspiration for the musician and those being entertained.

Tony Ward

-- Bandsaw Box Plans

a very nice looking stand. i really like the exposed joinery (walnut splines) it looks very time consuming but well worth it.

-- mjhaines

beautiful…I’m bookmarking this, I think I’ve been inspired…

-- Cheers

Sweet music to be made. Wow!

-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,

I love this. I agree it looks like art and I never saw anything like this before. I’ll go see if you have other projects to look at after this.

I actually need a music stand so I’m interested in buying one that is portable. I have an easel for painting I don’t like so I’m thinking of getting a music stand that can be used for both purposes. It would need to be adjustable for different heights and be able to be tilted straight upright when I was using it as an easel instead of a music stand. I saw one that fits the bill at the music store I go to but it is not really portable, it is metal with a heavy base and doesn’t fold up.

I’m hoping to find one that meets all my needs. My easel is taking up alot of room folded behind a chair in my livingroom. I’m wondering if I could make something out of it I dislike it that much. It is my second easel the first one I had to bring back because it was defective. My only other options are these monster sized easels that I have no room for.

So I wil be getting a music stand at some point. It would be nice if it was made from someone in this group instead of buying things that don’t work as they should like I have been doing.

Diane

-- http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb276/DMarcella/

What an intriguing design. Well done!

-- Jesus is Lord!

Dennis,

It was probably an image of William Keyser’s stand in Fine Woodworking’s Design Book 4. For an image refer to: http://www.pritameames.com/Keyser87MusicStand100.jpg

Steven

-- Steven Hall, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Very nice stand. You did a great job on it.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Beautiful piece of work.

-- ..... art for lifes sake ... danwalters@lumberjocks.com

Thanks Dan for resurrecting this astonishing piece. Well worth another airing

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business.

Thanks for the comments, guys.

Stewart, are you really from Yorkshire? I lived in England for 8 years and went to a lot of great horse races in Yorkshire.

DLP

Really nicely done what more can youy excellent design and finish well done beautiful.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease