OK, I'm desperate.

For decades, I've been using an Ultimate Support A-Frame keyboard stand. When I bought it, Ultimate Support gave me a lifetime guarantee. Some time later, a clamp broke (see picture) and they were happy to replace it. Years later, another broke and they said, "We don't make that anymore."

I told them, "What about your lifetime guarantee?" They responded, "You can't expect us to keep making a part we don't use anymore." I said, "Then why did you give me a lifetime guarantee."

It went nowhere, so I bought a used stand on e-bay just for the clamps. I'm down to the last 3 now. I've had a search up on e-bay and reverb but none have appeared.

Are there any more sources I might try?

Thanks.

Notes ♫

I can't help you.

Your story makes me sad for you, and for me.

I also have an Ultimate Support A-frame that I still use.

Gulp.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R4...e&_osacat=0

I tried that and got a "No Results Found".

I tried Keyboard Stand and got lots of hits, but no a-frames.

I tried a-frame and got a lot of guitar stands, but no keyboard stands.

I don't use it for a keyboard anymore, I leave the keyboard home and use guitar now. It's a better show for the audience, but I put my computers, percussion controller and wind controller on it.

Plus I put our banner on it too.

Notes ♫

Bob,
I might have one or two from A frame. PM me.

LOL.... yeah, the "right thing" to do would be to send you a new stand that they are currently making that is equal to, or better than the one you have that's broken.


But the same thing happened to me with my cell phone cover.... I bought an Otter Case. Expensive, but it was well built and had a lifetime warrantee. It broke multiple times and it was always replaced in a quick and expedient manner with a brand new one..... until one day..... We no longer support that case. You are SOL and we don't have a replacement for that phone in stock.

Have you tried here:

https://www.fullcompass.com/brand/ult-ultimate-support/accessories/parts-replacement-service/

It looks like it has those parts.

I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago. The same clamp broke and I could not find a replacement so I had to trash the stand. I didn't find this site at that time.

Notes,

Do an internet search for maker space or maker lab near you. They may be associated with a library, technical high school, community college, higher education or a private space. They might be able to create brackets for you using a 3D printer.

Alternately, ask a machine, blacksmith or welding shop to make some.

Some machine and welding shops have a cabinet enclosed laser that makes a 3D scan of a spare you provide. That 3D scan makes it easy for many different kinds of computer controlled machine to recreate the part.

Is the picture below representative of what you're looking for? If so I think my suggestions above will work. If you can find a technical school that teaches machine shop, you can likely get one made from aluminum billet that will last a long time. Generally you only pay for the billet.

THere's always eBay.... you might get lucky and find one cheap.

I haven't tried them. Thanks. I'll go over right now.

Notes ♫

Can you use clamps from another manufacturer?

https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/msg/d/tampa-yamaha-rack-clamp/7446206569.html

Good thinking, and thanks. But they won't do.

They need to look like this, with a 1/5" diameter.



Notes ♫

Did the web sit a recommend previously have what you need?

If not would a metal clamp like this do the job:

https://www.amazon.com/LOKMAN-Stainless-Cushioned-Insulated-Installation/dp/B01ISZLGUQ?th=1

Could you salvage what you have be using a hose clamp?

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Tie-33503-16-Inch-2-1-Stainless/dp/B006IOZ6BU/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=2+%22Hose+Clamps&qid=1648842770&s=industrial&sr=1-3

You may have to cut part of the original clamp away for this to work.

Just a couple of ideas

The first link I might be able to make work.

The problem is a flat aluminum piece needs to attach to the flat side of the clamp to support the synth or computer.

The ones at Full Compass look right, if the inside diameter is the same.

I called them, was on hold, and then was asked to leave a phone number. They didn't call back.

I also send an e-mail, and they haven't answered.

They might be 'in the weeds' right now. I'll try again on Monday.

Meanwhile, I tried to fix one with PVC cement. I can always use that one for the wind controller, as it is very light.

If the clamps at Full Compass work out, I'll get a dozen of them.

I have two left from a spare stand I bought years ago, so I have a little time. I just don't like being without spares. What if I have 3 break?

I don't break one every year, but after the last one broke, it broke in two places and seemed very brittle.

On the upside Misha has a couple he is willing to part with (Thanks), so I'll have a couple of spares soon.

The challenges of keeping old gear working.

When the WX5 wind controller went out of production, I bought a couple of spare controllers, and multiples of the parts that usually wear out. Unlike the A-Frame stand, I had advance warning on that one.

Thanks,

Notes ♫

Thanks.

I've got a running search on ebay. I get notices of keyboard stands offered almost daily, but it's been a long time since I've seen an A-Frame there.

Notes ♫

The latest from Ultimate Support:



Since the new company didn't make the promise, I suppose they don't have to keep it.

I don't mind paying a reasonable price for them, I just want to keep my gear running.

Interesting comparison, my 1925 King Alto Sax can still be repaired by any decent woodwind/brass technician.

The modern age is the disposable age. Perhaps that needs to change, overconsumption and disposal of manufactured products is a major source of pollution.

Still looking for more of these little things.

Notes ♫

I asked what the diameter was a week ago, to make sure it's the same part. They said they didn't have any in stock, but would contact the manufacturer and let me know.

So far, no response.

Still waiting .. .. .. .. ..

Notes ♫

Notes,

The piece you need is the sort of thing that a 3d printer could make easily. Many people have 3d printers these days.
There are even places online where people will make items for a fee. But first I'd start by asking your audiences if
anybody has a 3d printer. Chances are that somebody you know has one and would be delighted to make the part you need.



Here's a google link to some people in florida who make 3d printed parts:

3D printing services in Florida

If you have a dial caliper or micrometer that will enable you to make precise measurements of the part so you can send
them a drawing of what you want, I think that should be enough information for them to duplicate the part. If you have
experience in 3d modelling and can send them a model of the part, all the better.

Notes,
The Consumer Protection Agency gives consumers a last recourse when businesses refuse to honor their guarantees. I don't know what power they have over businesses, but when The CPA contacts a business, they tend to comply.

Here's a link to a lookup table that will help you find the appropriate state agency. I don't know whether you need the state where the consumer lives, or the state where the company is located... but this link will help you find either.

Consumer Protection Agency

My guess is that after the CPA gets in touch with them in response to your complaint, they'll send you a whole new A-frame to get the issue resolved. Or not. It costs you nothing to file a grievance.

Effectively they told you "You can't expect us to honor our guarantee"... and yes, you CAN and SHOULD expect that.

Thanks for the info, Pat.

More trails to follow.

Notes ♫

Newest development.

Ultimate tells me they carry the part I need, but they are currently out of stock. They will sell them to me, but won't honor the lifetime warranty.

They are $4 each, and at this time I don't think it's worth going to the Consumer Protection Agency for something that inexpensive. But I have them bookmarked just in case I change my mind.

Ultimate's rep said they will let me know when they are back in stock.

I now have 3 spares, and that should last me a few years, but when they get back in stock, I'll buy a buffer amount to cover the future.

Notes ♫

Yep, they wear you down. How many $4's have we all so far genuinely spent trying to resolve this?

I'm not making excuses for the warranty, but?

Get yourself a lifetime of spares if possible, so you don't have to endure such crazy torment in the future.

May the music be with you.

Exactly what I plan to do.

Not only do I not want to go through this again, but what assurance do I have that this part will be obsolete in the future?

Buying multiples of a $4 part is cheaper than buying a new stand, and since this fits my needs perfectly, it also will save me a lot of time adapting a different stand to my needs.

Notes ♫

Can't help you with finding the parts but as for this comment this has been a pet peeve of mine for 20 years or more. The question is why did it happen? It's because we're all cheap and want things at the best price. If that stand was manufactured here it would probably be at least twice the cost if not triple. Ultimate started out with an American guy building them here but eventually he couldn't compete with cheap foreign manufacturers so now they're manufactured in Asia. If he was still making them here, that warranty would probably be honored.

Our society online price shops everything to death with zero regard as to where it's made and those countries not caring about pollution, safety rules, health insurance, the environment and them paying almost slave wages. It's not the companies fault because all we care about is the price and in order to deliver that price most things are built somewhere other than here. We all need to wake up and pay a proper price for good quality stuff and the disposable problem goes away. Our grandparents managed to pay for chrome plated toasters that lasted 20 years if not a lifetime, we can do the same.

Sorry about going off topic.

Bob

If they are $4 each, and you buy 6 of them, you bring that stand back to life at a level where it will outlive you. Possibly by a pretty fair margin. Or just buy a new stand. There can't be just one stand that will work. As has been pointed out, stuff these days is made as cheaply as possible so they can keep prices low. I mean, no offense, but you are 73 now. How long does this thing have to last?

I definitely agree.

And it's the reason why we don't have local mom & pop music stores anymore.

Instead, we have to either go to a big-box store with minimum wage employees who know less about music than you do, or order something on-line and wait for it.

All because people wanted so save a dime on a pack of strings.

Sorry, I mourn the loss of my local store, and the owner who not only knew me gave me great advice for me specifically, but let me try gear out on the gig to help me decide if it was right for me, and had a place where musicians could hang out ant talk shop.

As we progress in time, so many new, better things come our way, but we also lose some things that were better. I guess that's just life.

Notes ♫

I plan on buying a dozen, as I suspect some of the old ones are getting brittle.

That should last through the rest of my gigging days (I hope). When I go to the great gig in the sky, I hope to have only one left.

Notes ♫

Can you post a pic of this stand so I know what you called an "A-Frame" stand? Here I thought I was going to be your hero and we have different definitions of what an Ultimate Support A-Frame is. I have heard the stand I have called "the jungle gym", "the trapeze", "the swing set"... All I can say about durability is that I have had it since the mid 80s. As well as the 2 Ensoniq synths that rested upon it.

There are still a few of those type stores around, but they are a dying breed for sure. When I was about 15, I used to hang out at my local music store, Key's Music in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Mr. Keys would leave me in charge while he went to lunch next door at the little cafe. He let me play any guitar in the store for as long as I wanted, and used to give me mini lessons during the slow times (which was most of the time!). Some of the people at Guitar Center do a good job, and know what they are talking about, many don't.

Manufacturers can pay some Asian company which pays their employees way, way less than our workers here want and make all the crap they need.

I have no problem paying top dollar for a quality product. I am probably in the minority though. Most people want it cheap and fast. Fast is becoming a thing of the past too now though. Everything is sitting in a container on a ship waiting on somebody to give space to unload, then waiting on a truck to take it somewhere, with diesel over $5.00 or more a gallon.

Talk about getting off topic!

Here ya go.



Thanks.

Notes ♫

Where ya ago? You didn't paste the picture.

I see the image Eddie. you don't?
Maybe this will help
http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/x_lil_jim_1_Vern_&_Vicki_Webb.jpg

Actually, I did. I wonder why you couldn't see it. ?????

Notes ♫

No idea, but since Harv was able to link me to it, it's probably his fault.

That looks like the exact stand I have, but yours is black.

Whatever. You got what you need and didn't have to pay to ship this whole jungle gym down to you. It likely would have cost you more than buying the collars.

Notes

Not quite on topic I know but are you still lifting those 15" speakers on to the stands by yourself? I'm 67 and can still do it but if the stand don't go into the holes in the speakers quickly then I take strain.


Kevin

I have to lift them 4 feet, and then the crank up higher.

The speaker cabs are just under 40 pounds each.

I lift them, and Mrs. Notes guides them on the stand. I do have to remember to lift with my legs and not with my back ;D

Back to the A Frame.

Eddie, the stand looks similar, but the clamps on the silver are different from the one I have. I've gone that route before. I do appreciate the offer, though.

Notes ♫

That is weird as I can't see it either. I don't usually have that problem.

Did the link to the image work for you?

It may be because Notes inserted an image on another server instead of uploading it in his reply so it would be served from the PGMusic server instead.

Just a guess, could be antivirus or browser settings hiding the image ..

You guessed right. It's from my site.

I didn't know that could be a problem. I figured a link would display it just fine.

I don't know why that should be the problem though.

Notes ♫

User browser/security settings most likely.
In my experience anyway

Doesn't mean there is anything wrong with your link or your site, just some rule on their system.

Like how Outlook defaults to not downloading images without you telling it to.
'Right click to download images' ...
.. and GMail actually downloads a copy of the image to its own system, then decides whether to display it or not.

lots of security stuff these days and growing exponentially.
Hard to keep on top of it sometimes

I mean, I suppose it could even be a simple CORS issue

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=browser+CORS+issue
Link is a Google search for CORS in case this is new to you

Coming to a Browser near you (soon) if it hasn't already

Finally.

Ultimate is still out of stock, but they found a source that has sells their parts and has them in stock (DJ Planet). I bought a dozen. With the two spares I have, and at the rate they break, that should get me 14 more years.

Notes ♫

Notes, I hope (in the nicest way) that you run out of spares and are still performing

I 2nd that one.

Thanks for the kind wishes. I hope you're right. Life is the perfect way to spend the time of day.

Notes ♫