Guzheng Stands

Jump to: Two Piece | Three Piece | Kneeling | X-Brace |

We need to place our guzheng somewhere! Here are the most common options.

Two-Piece, A-Frame or T-Frame Stands

2 Semi collapsible stands, one for each end of your guzheng.  common shapes include A-frame and T frame designs. Wood can be straight and simple or curved and complex.

Typical prices: $60 to $130USD shipping included

Pros: 

• cheap

• relatively easy to make (typically 10-12 lengths of wood)

• light

• save space

Cons:

• The wood can warp  and crack over time,  though repairs are  relatively easy.

• Leveling can be challenging. The stands have six to eight points of contact with the floor. If the floor is uneven, and since the two stands are independent, each stand can be flush to the floor but the skewed to each other, leaving your guzheng prone to rocking.

 What to look for: 

• padding on top to protect the engine

• stand flat to the floor

• fold in some way to reduce space

Sizes:

I've seen two general science: the seated version is about 2 ft tall.  Larger is about 3 ft tall, and I believe is used for standing performances.

Make your own:

There is a 2 in or 5 cm height difference between the taller stand placed under the head and the shorter stand placed under the tail.

Generic set of Parts would include wood pieces: 

• 4x 21” long

• 4x 20.5” long

• 2x 10.5”

• 2x 9.5”

• 2x 14”

• 2x 12.75”

• 8x End guards

Hardware:

• 4x hinges

• 8x felt liners

The stands form isosceles triangles whose internal dimensions are 19.25” height x 12.25” base and 21” height x 10.25” base.

Three-Piece (or Four-Piece)

Two vertical supports connected by a crossbar. If the crossbar has multiple pieces, could be called Four-Piece". They are regarded as higher-end, more stable, and approach the level of ornate furniture. They often include beautiful carpentry and woodwork.

Typical prices: $150 to $600, shipping included

 Pros: 

• Stable,

• Beautiful

Cons: 

• expensive

• heavy

• Can take up more space. (But there are foldable versions that's it and it carry case 17” by 26” by 5”)

• players with longer legs may find their legs hitting the crossbar

What to look for:

• Table, tight-fitting joints between the crossbar and the vertical supports

• A size that fits your body. Three-piece stands are rarely adjustable

• Wait. some stands can be quite heavy

• Felt or other protective layers on the rest that contact the guzheng backboard

• Some have adjustable grips to keep the guzheng  in place. If yours does, make sure you can use it easily and that it is wide enough for your guzheng

Make your own:

The trick here is the tightness of the joint between the crossbar and verticals, and  any height difference you may want. if weight looks to be an issue, consider cutting out patterns on the crossbar and sides or use smaller lengths to form B, C, D-style vertical supports.

Example dimensions:

•  Crossbar length of 44 1/2 in

•  Vertical support height 23 +/- 2 in 

• Guzheng support length on top of vertical support: 12.75 in

Kneeling or Seated Floor stands

A very short a frame stand that might also come with a tail rest. Used for playing from the floor rather than in a seated position. I cannot offer much information on this style as I have no experience, but here’s a little.

Typical prices: $30 to $50 including shipping

What to look for: grip and protection pads on the stand to keep the guzheng from sliding.

If a tail rest is included, it should adequately cushion or catch the tail of the guzheng while also gripping the floor to prevent sliding.

X-Brace, Keyboard Stands

Single unit made of two rectangular frames of metal that pivot passed each other to form an X. Some can be extended.

Typical prices: $30 to $100

Pros: 

• Cheaper

• Many to choose from

• Can be adjusted to your particular height

• Available at most music stores, giving opportunity to try a stand before buying it

• Frequently available used

Cons:

• May lack padding

• When set high enough to enable standing, take extra care to avoid wobbling or falling

What to look for:

• padding

• Firm mechanism that will lock the legs at the height you want

• A support distance of approximately 44 inch apart in the desired position, less than 30 in between supports is risky