I have one of these, it looks like the Troubadour model. I've had it for over 5 years. I bought it at Dillon's.Doug Elliott wrote:I saw these at TMEA and was impressed, but I don't have one yet.
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I probably use it 25 times a year. I'd guess 15 times a year at indoors venues, and 10 times a year outdoors on grass, parking lots, outdoor stages, ...
The height adjustment provides a good range. It's stable on uneven ground, and handles the wind as well or better than the most stands used by the other musicians.
The strap they show works much better for the pretty model on their website than me. I find it flops around a lot and is very awkward to use with a gig bag on my back. I just grab the bottom of the stand and carry it under my arm like a folder. It's too big for my gig bag. The other issue I have is with the elastics they use to hold the legs to the back of desk while broken down. The elastics were just about secure enough when new, but now the legs are always sliding out of the two loops. Nylon straps and a cinch (or velcro) would work better, and I may make that modification when I get time or too frustrated.
It's held up pretty well. I lost the two nuts that hold the stand extensions inplace, but a trip to the hardware store and 50 cents fixed that problem. The cloth cover is intact, the compartments on the back side hold clothespins and a pencil, I don't think it's a practical way to carry music. Mine doesn't have the pencil holders on the back. The two elastic bands they provide for securing music can be useful, but I prefer clothespins.
It meets my needs well enough I'm not inclined to spend money on a replacement. If it ever wears out, I'll look at other portable stands. It may be a long time before that becomes a necessity.
