A custom stand will bridge the gap between a musical instrument and Functional Art. Simply by removing an instrument from it's case and displaying it on a stand, lets you and everyone else enjoy it full time. It begs you to touch it, play it, and lets your eyes follow it's curves. It enhances the experience on a daily basis, and continues to absorb your attention for years to come. A case leaning in the corner simply collects dust. There is no good reason to hide a custom creation.

  A great stand is also a work of art in it's own right. I have made them to memorialize my deceased relatives and friends, to amuse, and to firmly and beautifully say "Hey! look at me! I hold up the coolest thing in the room, and I am almost as intriguing". A perfect example of this is the stand I made for​ "Isabelle", my show piece at The Wailea Grand Hotel.

As you may know, this Concert Archtop Ukulele was made with my recently deceased Mother in my mind. It's full of a son's love, so the stand seeks to reflect that. It tries to convey her appreciation for the finer things in life, and a joy that she carried with her always. It rests on an electric turn table, and rotates slowly to highlight the outstanding woods that the instrument is made of. Some notice it has a slight tilt to it... so went her smile, and also mine. I have inherited her jaw line, it seems.

This stand was carved out of a single chunk of otherwise kinda worthless Koa. It was destined to be firewood. But an artist sees the best in all resources, so I have brought it to life instead of breaking it up and tossing it in the fire. Again, a tribute to Mom's thriftiness... she had six kids in ten years and there were a lot of sacrifices along the way, but we never went without.

This stand was made for "Edgar", who also passed away a few years ago. It has the beautiful base featured at the top of the page, unfinished, in the motif of a guardian escort bird. It and the ukulele were made out of Padauk wood, which is bright orange when freshly sanded, and turns to browns and purples over time.
    To me it said..."Fly quickly to the afterlife, my friend, and may God receive you on the other side. I will remember you anytime I see this."
  So you see that a good stand has multiple uses; from simply uplifting artwork, to a higher thought, to a graduation or wedding present, or maybe a memorial for a loved one.
  And then, they should display your art with class and sophistication, making it a focal point in your day to day life.
  One thing to consider is that heat and light will quickly degrade your instrument. Do not display it in a sunny window box! And take care to protect it from accidental bumps and tip over possibilities.

   Here are a few other examples of stands I have made. It seems I enjoy having my creations on display. I made a stand for my first ukulele, and several of my guitars and mandolins. At times, there were ten or more in the music room!
   Let me make one for you that speaks to your highest thoughts as you enjoy your custom made instrument. Keep it in the open. Enjoy it every day, even when you don't take the time to play. You will find greater joy, and find that you do play more often.

Each is designed to hold the neck and base very firmly, usually by the electric pickup jack. The sky is the limit!