Universal Klip-lite stand light

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:43 pm

I have not bought a music stand light in many years. I just received two brand new Universal Klip-lights. To my surprise, these were not the solid metal products that I have seen on music stands for 40 plus years. Instead, both the clip and shade are made of some flimsy looking plastic material. I wonder how long these will last.

Does anyone know when Universal changed this product? I suppose it will do what it has to do but it sure does not feel the same. What is this world coming to?

Sorry for the mini rant.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:50 pm

Universal has been cheapening these things for some time. At one time, the diecast shades were painted in a very tough crinkle-coat black enamel and had a porcelain lamp socket.

Then a bakelite lamp socket was substituted--and the problems with the switch loosening up came along with it.

Then, the shade went to a plain gloss paint job.

Now, apparently, they're plastic.

How's that Shel Silverstein song go?

Shel wrote:Now a little bitty termite, he come knockin',
Knockin' at my front door,
He walked right in, sat right down
Started nibblin' on the kitchen floor
He chewed on the walls and the ceilings and the halls --
Lord knows he tried --
But he kept a-gettin' thinner
And he never got no dinner
And finally he sat up and cried...

He said, "It's plastic, good Lord, it's plastic!
I know it ain't no wood
And it can't do me no good,
Because it's plastic -- and you can't eat plastic,
Everything's gonna be plastic by and by!"

Then one afternoon in the month of June
I went down to the beach.
There were cuties and beauties in little bathin' suities
And all of them within my reach.
Then a 38-24-36 miss just happened to be passin' my way.
I said, "Please don't think I'm nervy, but you look so very curvy
Please tell me how you got that way!"

She said, "It's plastic -- it's only plastic,
It's pretty as can be, but you know that it ain't me,
Because they're plastic, oh yes they're plastic,
Everything's gonna be plastic by and by."

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:46 am

Thank you, elephant and Chuck(G), I'm all over it.
Shel Silverstein is my hero.

gwwilk · Post by **gwwilk** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:02 am

If you spell it rite, you get the lite. Otherwise the right light's off, guys. Actually, it isn't plastic, but injection molded glass impregnated nylon now. And you can still get the metal one if you so desire: http://www.midi-classics.com/g/g27925.htm

Giardinelli's price is higher for the same thing, just renamed (probably by some copy editor in a spelling snit): http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=810029

Careful viewing of the illustration photos reveals that there is only one Universal Klip-Lite/Light and the manufacturer isn't too far from Lee Stofer's new digs: http://www.kliplite.com/ They obviously don't care what it's called by others and just want to move 'em out.

Looks like I'm going to have to order one just to see what y'all are talkin' 'bout.

Edit: Just ordered one. We'll see how well it works.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:56 pm

Thanks for the clarification, Jerry! In this case, I suspect that imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery.

FWIW, I use small compact fluorescent bulbs in ours--doesn't get warm and puts out a lot of light in comparison to the normal bulbs. I don't know the brand--these were just 7W boxed-4-to-a-carton-for $1.99 jobs.

tbn.al · Post by **tbn.al** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:35 am

Got one of these for my birthday last year. It is unbelieveably good!
http://www.q-lighting.com/maestro2.htm

gwwilk · Post by **gwwilk** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:05 am

tbn.al wrote:Got one of these for my birthday last year. It is unbelieveably good!
http://www.q-lighting.com/maestro2.htm

Looks nice. But since we're talkin' stand lights in general now, don't forget to consider this one when you're picking one out: http://www.lampcraft.com/index.asp?Page ... ustom&ID=7

I've had a ConcertLight II on my music stand for the last couple of years, and I really like it. Before I got it, I had to orient my practice layout so that room and/or sunlight hit my music just right. With it, room acoustics and convenience have been the determining factors in my layout.

What's illuminates your music stand, guys?

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:54 pm

My wife and I both use the Lampcraft Concert Light (original) when we're away from home, but at home, I've got the old Kliplites on all stands but my own, which has my own lamp that uses two 13" cold cathode fluorescent lamps (think LCD screen backlight).

But I know folks are always looking for a good inexpensive portable source of light. Has anyone tried the 8 LED cordless Kliplite? It might not be too bad if used with some rechargeable NiMH batteries...