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.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2024, Cubase 13, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
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.
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.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up. Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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.
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.
I haven't tried them. Thanks. I'll go over right now.
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.
...In regard to the A-Frame Warranty, When the company was purchased in 2005, the liability from the previous owner was not taken....
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.
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.
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:
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.
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
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.
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.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
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Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!
We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!
Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.
You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.
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