Best Guitar Stands Complete Guide – All Types

Make Sure Your Stand Fits Your Guitar

Not all stands are built the same, and getting the right fit for your instrument actually makes a big difference. The length and shape of a stand’s cradle affects how your guitar sits, and if you’re using something mismatched, like an acoustic stand for an electric, you’ll probably notice the guitar leaning back farther than it should. That extra tilt can take up unnecessary floor space and, worse, throw off the balance of the stand. I’ve seen guitars nearly tip from that setup more than once.

It goes both ways. If you try to squeeze a bulky dreadnought into a stand designed for an electric, it might not sit right at all. Fortunately, a lot of the better stands on the market now are labeled as “universal.” Some even let you adjust the height or cradle width, which is super helpful if you’re juggling different body types. If you’re not sure where everything lands on your instrument, check out this guitar parts diagram for a quick visual guide. It helps when figuring out how your guitar will rest on a stand.

A-Frame vs. Tripod Stands

You’ll mostly run into two types of stands: A-frames and tripods. I’ve used both plenty of times and each has its place depending on the situation.

A-frame stands are compact and easy to carry. They sit low, don’t have a neck cradle, and fold up quickly, which makes them great for travel or slipping into a gig bag. I like bringing one when I’m doing small acoustic gigs or quick sessions where I don’t want to haul too much gear. The trade-off is stability. Since there’s no neck support, a small bump can send your guitar sliding, so it’s not ideal in tight or crowded spaces.

Tripod stands offer more security. They have a neck cradle that helps keep the instrument upright and stable, which is why I prefer them in studio setups or rehearsal spaces. Some even have extra legs for added balance, which is great if you’re dealing with heavier guitars or uneven floors.

Portability

If you’re gigging a lot or just short on space, portability can be a real game-changer when choosing a guitar accessory like a stand. A-frame stands win here. They’re simple, lightweight, and fold up flat. Some of the metal designs are especially compact and can slip right into the outer pocket of a gig bag. I always keep one in the car just in case.

Buying a Stand for Nitrocellulose-Finished Guitars

If you’ve got a guitar with a nitrocellulose finish, like most Gibsons, you need to be extra cautious. Nitro reacts badly with a lot of common materials in stand padding, especially rubber and certain plastics. I’ve seen it firsthand. A beautiful Les Paul with a cloudy mark on the neck where it touched the wrong stand for too long. It’s not pretty, and it’s not cheap to fix.

One quick workaround is to throw an old cotton t-shirt or clean cloth over the parts of the stand that make contact with your guitar. It works, but it’s not foolproof. Cloth can slip, especially around the lower bout where you’re not always checking. If you really want peace of mind, just go for a stand that’s labeled nitro-safe. It’s a little more up front, but it’ll save you from headaches down the line.