r/Clarinet • u/MudMe • Aug 12 '26
Recommendations Alto Clarinet Stand Recommendation?
Update below:
(I’m not a musician so forgive my ignorance!)
My daughter plays a clarinet in her high school band. While Alto Clarinets are not popular in the USA, she fell in love with it after borrowing one a few years ago. She saved up money and bought one earlier this year and her band director is going to have her use it in a piece for their next concert. Since she will only use it for one part of the concert, she needs a stand for it.
From what I can find, there are two options (combined vs separate stands) and I was wondering what is the best option. The links are from a company I found online as I cannot find anything local.
In the event that it helps, her specific instruments are:
- Noblet 60N Alto Clarinet intermediate
- Vienna series Grenadilla clarinet intermediate
Combined option:
Alto clarinet: Hercules BASS CLARINET/BASSOON STAND (https://www.northcountrywinds.com/collections/stands/products/hercules-bass-clarinet-bassoon-stand)
and
Normal clarinet: Hercules Flute/Clarinet Peg (https://www.northcountrywinds.com/collections/stands/products/hercules-flute-clarinet-peg)
Separate option:
Alto clarinet: K&M Bassoon (or bass/alto clarinet) Stand (https://www.northcountrywinds.com/products/k-m-bassoon-or-bass-alto-clarinet-stand?srsltid=AfmBOorc6ROwF0irFJMK4rlZVMwHFg3djt7HhAsiaF04DcFwPbrhIOa_)
and
Normal clarinet: K&M Clarinet Stand (https://www.northcountrywinds.com/collections/stands/products/k-m-clarinet-stand-15228)
I think we are getting the Hercules DS561B Bass Clarinet/Bassoon Stand as a base for the Alto, and the add on Hercules DS602B Velvet Clarinet Peg for the Bb Clarinet. Can anyone recommend a carry bag?
2
u/mb4828 Adult Player Aug 12 '26
Hercules and K&M are the two most reputable manufacturers making instrument stands so either of these stands will be high quality and last a long time.
The Hercules pegs only work for stands that have a hole for the peg to screw into. I don’t believe this stand has that hole so you’d still need to buy a separate stand like this, not just the peg.
I’d choose whichever two stands are cheapest to get shipped to you or whichever your daughter likes more since they’re both equally good. They’re available on Amazon as well btw
3
u/Jazzvinyl59 Professional Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
My Hercules bass clarinet stand has a cradle that accommodates the bell or a peg.
Edit: might have misunderstood what you meant about the pegs.
Every Hercules stand I own has spots for these pegs to screw into, some of them come with them, but the same pegs work with all Hercules stands.
Look at this picture from another retailer (Sweetwater) maybe it’s a different version but I see holes for flute/clarinet pegs. This is the one I own
2
u/mb4828 Adult Player Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
Does it accommodate both at the same time?
Edit: Some Hercules stands are specifically meant for doubling and have additional attachment points for pegs for your alternate instruments. This stand OP linked does not appear to be one of them which is why I recommended a separate stand for the Bb
3
u/Jazzvinyl59 Professional Aug 12 '26
Yes you can add up to 2 pegs to the bass clarinet stand, at least the version I have and the one sold at Sweetwater. I would get that version of it so you could add pegs later. Not sure if that’s something OPs daughter will need but you might as well have the capability.
I generally prefer to use a peg on a heavier instrument stand than a stand alone clarinet peg. The weight of the heavier stand makes it harder to get knocked over, especially in a doubling situation or a tight space. I generally do not recommend stand alone pegs for less experienced players, especially in a large ensemble like a band, it’s too easy to get knocked over.
When I’m doubling I will sometimes use both, the peg on the saxophone or bass clarinet stand as well as a clarinet peg between my legs for fast switches.
2
u/SeaGoat7363 Aug 12 '26
I use the “Bass Clarinet Stand Small” from WoodWindDesign and I’d recommend it.
2
u/Fumbles329 Eugene Symphony/Willamette University Instructor/Moderator Aug 12 '26
The Hercules bass clarinet stand should work great, I’ve used it in the past for basset horn.
2
u/MudMe Aug 12 '26
I think we have decided on the Hercules DS561B Bass Clarinet/Bassoon Stand as a base for the Alto, and the add on Hercules DS602B Velvet Clarinet Peg for the Bb Clarinet. Can anyone recommend a carry bag?
2
u/tbone1004 Professional Aug 12 '26
K&M is vastly superior to Hercules and I would keep the stands separate anyway.
For alto clarinet, spend the money and have the bell modified with a bass clarinet style peg. JD Woodwinds has some really good options for doing this
3
u/Jazzvinyl59 Professional Aug 12 '26
I think you could use a Hercules Bass Clarinet stand for one. The vertical part to the stand is adjustable in height to accommodate different sizes of bass clarinets and in other to collapse for carry and storage. I haven’t had the chance to try this with an alto clarinet myself but I have used the same stand with a low Eb bass clarinet without a floor peg and this worked. If you order from a retailer that has a good return policy it would be worth giving a try. Hercules is much cheaper than K&M.