Are you tired of struggling to find the perfect position for your guitar amplifier during performances or practice sessions? Do you constantly battle with limited space and unwanted vibrations that affect your tone?
I understand the frustrations that guitarists like you encounter, so I’m here to introduce the ultimate solution: top guitar amp stands.
In this article, I will unveil a carefully curated selection of guitar amp stands that will revolutionize the way you approach your playing. Say goodbye to cumbersome setups and compromised sound quality, and unlock the true potential of your amplifier.
By investing in one of these top-tier guitar amp stands, you’ll experience enhanced stability, improved sound projection, and a professional stage presence that will captivate your audience. Let’s check what these stands offer!
In A Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks …
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Capacity: 46.5 lbs
- Adjustable Height: 17.5"-20.5"
- Foldable: Yes
- Weight: 9.1 lbs
- Material: Steel
- Capacity: 176 lbs
- Adjustable Height: 5"-20"
- Foldable: Yes
- Weight: 6.3 lbs
What To Look For When Buying An Amp Stand
Although best amp stands are pretty simple pieces of equipment, there are a few things that you should consider when looking for a guitar amp stand:
Size: Check the dimensions of the stand – this is important because the stand’s supports should not block the inputs/outputs of your stand.
Material: No plastic – your deluxe amp stand should be metal to be able to bear your amp’s weight.
Weight: A heavy amp stand is also durable in nature, so if your amplifier is hefty, avoid light stands. However, also remember that a heavy stand will be more difficult to carry.
Padding: Padded support arms are nice since they’ll prevent scratches and other damage to your amp’s housing. Alternatively, the arms should have rubber caps at the ends.
Tilting: This is a very nice feature because it allows you to adjust how the amp sounds by tilting it up or down. Tilting isn’t a must-have, but it will provide you with an added degree of flexibility during setup.
Height Adjustment: A good stand will also allow for height adjustment for further added versatility in setup.
Review of Best Guitar Amp Stand
Now that you know what makes a quality amp stand, let’s explore the top five options available to enhance your musical performance.
1. Gator Frameworks Combo Amp Stand (GFW-GTR-AMP) – Our Top Choice
When it comes to guitar amp stands, the Gator Frameworks Guitar Amp Stand stands out as a top contender in the market due to its impressive features and quality construction. In this review, we’ll dive into the key aspects of this product and evaluate its performance.
Product Quality
The Gator Frameworks Amp Stand is constructed from sturdy steel, ensuring durability and stability during performances or practice sessions. The rubberized padding on the top and bottom arms provides a secure grip while protecting your amp from scratches or slips.
Weight Capacity and Adjustability
One of the standout features of this amp stand is its impressive weight capacity. With a maximum weight capacity of 176 pounds, you can confidently place even heavier amplifiers on this mid-profile stand without worry but you should check your amp’s dimensions to make sure anyway.
Gator also has lower-weight capacity alternatives (high-profile and low-profile models) for amps or cabinets that weigh less than 50 lbs.
Its adjustable height and tilt angles let you find the best position for sound projection and feedback reduction. We tested different angles and found that stability suffers in extreme vertical positions. A slightly tilted position is ideal for stability and alignment.
Portability
Designed with gigging musicians in mind, the Gator stand excels in terms of portability. The lightweight and foldable design makes it easy to transport and store, saving you space in your gear setup.
Pros:
- Sturdy, low-profile design.
- Holds up to 176 pounds.
- Adjustable tilt-back design.
- Great value for money
Cons:
- The adjustment mechanisms may seem slightly stiff initially
- Rubber end caps can slide off, requiring vigilance to prevent loss
Our verdict
As per our test results, Gator Frameworks Amp Stand is the best overall guitar amp stand of 2023. It has excellent quality, functionality and value. It offers a convenient setup and enhances your playing experience for gigs or studios.
2. On-Stage RS7000 Tilt-Back Amp Stand – Best RunnerUp
Upon thorough investigation, the On-Stage RS7000 Tilt-Back Amp Stand emerges as an outstanding contender among the top guitar amp stands. With a harmonious blend of quality, functionality, and affordability, this stand earned the esteemed position of the runner-up.
Product Quality
In terms of product quality, the On-Stage RS7000 has received high praise from customers for its sturdiness and ease of assembly. The Amp Stand is durable too thanks to its A-frame build with prop cross-braces.
Weight Capacity and Adjustability
With a generous weight capacity of 150 lbs and support arm system, it is perhaps the most versatile stand for guitar amp on our list. Its friction-locking knob adjusts height (from 17 to 24 inches) for flexible amp positioning. The support arms are padded to prevent scratches on your amp.
One notable aspect is that this stand positions the amp higher than other stands on our list, placing it at waist height with a slight angle. This design facilitates easy access to controls on stage without the need for excessive bending.
Portability
While the On-Stage Amp Stand offers portability, it doesn’t fold down fully without removing the arms. This can make transporting it with other gear a bit more challenging. But with care and caution, you can still transport it well to your gigs or sessions.
Pros:
- Height adjustable option
- Keeps the amp high
- Sturdy A-frame build
- Padded support arms for the amp
- Foldable for carrying and storage purposes
Cons:
- Some users have reported that it can be tippy for certain amps
- Does not have the ability to adjust the tilt angle
Our verdict
The On-Stage RS7000 Amp Stand is a strong runner-up product. In some cases, it may need some adjustments for stability with the tilt-back feature, but it is a solid choice that offers great value.
3. BOSS BAS-1 Amplifier Stand – Best for Open Back Amps
The BOSS BAS-1 Amplifier Stand is sturdy and reliable, made specifically for open back combo amps like BOSS and Roland models. It has unique features that make it different from other amp stands.
Product Quality
The BOSS BAS-1 Amplifier Stand is a well-crafted stand built with alloy steel and a black finish. It has a telescoping support arm and adjustable feet with rubber pads to protect your amp from scratches, vibrations, and slippage. With its robust construction, the stand lasts long, making it ideal for jamming and live shows.
Weight Capacity
The Boss BAS-1 Amplifier Stand is a great choice for small and light amps that weigh less than 50 pounds. It can support up to 21 kg (46.3 lbs) of weight, which is enough for most Katana amps. But if you need more weight capacity, you can also look at other stands like the Gator or On-Stage.
Adjustability
The Stand lets you tilt your amp at different angles for various sizes and configurations. Due to its telescoping arm, you can adjust the width of the stand (from 19 to 27 inches) to fit your needs.
The stand also has a height adjustment feature, which lets you raise or lower your amp from 17.5 to 20.5 inches. This flexibility ensures the optimal position for the amp, improving sound projection and stage presence.
Portability
Though the 4.1 kg weight of this stand is a little bit on the heavier side, it is fairly portable. The stand also has a quick-release mechanism that lets you set up and fold it fast. Overall, portability features turn it a good choice for traveling or gigging musicians.
Pros:
- Sturdy and durable metal construction
- Telescoping support arm that fits different cabinet widths
- Foldable, portable and easy to use
- Compatible with open back models
- Reasonable price range
Cons:
- Heavier than some other amp stands
Our verdict
The Boss BAS-1 Amplifier Stand is great for anyone who needs a durable, flexible and convenient stand for their open back combo amps. It also avoids covering the lower inputs of open back amps with the back bar. If you need a stand for Katana-type combo amps, this is the best one.
4. Musician’s Gear Deluxe Amp Stand – Best for Budget
The Musician’s Gear Deluxe Amp Stand is a practical and affordable solution for guitarists looking to elevate their amplifiers.
Quality
While the build quality of this Stand may not match that of higher-end stands, it still delivers satisfactory performance. The black powdered metal construction looks sleek and fits most guitar setups. The rubber feet and locking pins keep the stand and amp stable.
Weight Capacity and Adjustability
The weight capacity of this stand is rated at 150 pounds, which is great compared to its price range. We tested the stand with different amplifiers, and it consistently held up well. However, for serious musicians with particularly heavy amplifiers, it may be worth considering a more robust option.
The stand offers three height positions which will limit the degree of customization compared to other stands. However, it still provides sufficient options to find a comfortable playing angle while the adjustment mechanism was smooth and secure in our testing.
Portability
Though the stand is portable but needs to be disassembled into three pieces: the base and the two arms. The base folds and the arms slide out, making it easy to pack. The downside is that you have to take it apart to fold it flat, which might be extra work.
Pros:
- A practical option for elevating amplifiers
- Decent weight capacity of 150 pounds
- Collapsible design for easy portability
- Good deal for the price
Cons:
- Limited height adjustment options compared to other stands
- No angle adjustment option
- Too bulky (10.9 lbs) for portability
Our Verdict
Overall, the Musician’s Gear Deluxe Amp Stand is a good option for those on a budget who want a sturdy stand for their amp. It may not be the most portable or have the highest weight capacity, but it gets the job done.
5. Quik Lok Amplifier Stand (BS/317), Black – Best Space Saver
If your primary concern is space, then Quik Lok’s amplifier stand should work for you just fine. Besides, it’s a rather sturdy and pricey product, so it will also do a good job of upholding heavier guitar and bass amps, monitors or extension speakers.
When we tested the stand, we found that it was capable of holding even larger and heavier amplifiers without any wobbling or instability. This is particularly beneficial for musicians who perform on stage, as it ensures the safety of their valuable equipment.
Although this stand doesn’t have the height adjustments of the On-Stage RS7000, it’s much more compact and space-efficient. It also keeps the amp lower to the ground, which may be what some buyers want.
The Quik Lok angled amp stand keeps the amp at an about 60-degree angle and allows for slight adjustments in the tilt – not much, but probably enough to allow you to get the most out of your amp.
However, if you have a larger setup or need more adjustability options, you may want to consider other options as we stated above.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty build
- Adjustable tilt angle
- Low-profile design
- Great for closed or solid back amps
- Soft rubber rest pads hold amps firmly in place
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not good for open-back amps
Our verdict
The Quiklok amp stand is a very sturdy and compact piece of equipment. It’s rather pricey, but it will work well with small and narrow yet heavier amps and combos. Overall, we think it is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, low profile amp stand.
Why Should You Use A Stand For Guitar Amplifier?
Here are three key reasons why you should use an amp stand:
- An amp stand will allow you to more or less hear your amps effects and how your amp actually sounds.
- An amp stand allows you to prevent the sound vibrations from going directly into the floor, which can alter how the amp sounds to you and also implies a few other problems.
- An amplifier stand can help you save stage space.
Let’s dive a little deeper into these points, shall we?
More Realistic Sounding
Without an amp rightly placed higher on the stand, the noise will be directed at your feet, which will impact how the music sounds to you. Most importantly, a floor amp will sound different to you and your audience.
By placing the amp at your ear level (or close to it to feel sound from an ear monitor), you will be able to get more realistic sounding, which will allow you to adjust the system and your playstyle adequately.
Note that this reason may not apply to your case if you have a well-mic’d amp and can self-monitor as you are playing. However, this is where the second reason to use a stand for amps comes in.
Reduced Vibration Transmission
As you are playing your music, the sound waves & vibrations will be transmitted to the floor. This implies two things:
- The vibrations caused by the sound waves will most likely be very annoying to your neighbors, which might be a problem if you are practicing at home. If you aren’t living in an apartment complex, then this won’t be a problem – however, the point below will still apply.
- You will be hearing more bass and low-end frequencies than your audience. This somewhat connects to the first reason to use a stand for the guitar amps.
With that, you may want to avoid placing your amplifier directly on the floor – you will be either annoying your neighbors or disappointing your audience with not-so-polished tune.
However, it’s also important to understand whether these two points truly apply to you.
If you are living in an apartment complex, then the first point will obviously matter. As for the second one, it will only be important if you are going to perform on stage.
With that in mind, if you aren’t going to perform and aren’t living in an apartment building, then you may not need an amp stand. There would be no neighbors to annoy, and if you like how your amp sounds from the floor, why even elevate it if you are playing just for yourself?
Space Savings
Finally, you can actually save space by using a stand for an amplifier. This might ring a little crazy, but here’s how it could work for you.
Some amp stands can take guitar cab mics, meaning that you don’t need to dedicate any additional equipment or space to them. So the right stand can help you make your music corner a little more space-efficient.
Where Should A Guitar Amp Be Placed In A Room?
An amp stand won’t magically make your amp deliver a beautiful tone – you may have to play around with its positioning to achieve good results.
Now, at home, where should you place your guitar amp?
If you are playing for yourself, then the amp could be placed anywhere. Try the amp in different spots and see how it delivers. An amp will sound differently on carpet, tile, hardwood floors, on a table, or against a wall, so you should test different configurations to see which one you like the most.
On the other hand, if you are going to perform on stage, then it would be great if your amp delivered more or less similar noise to what your audience will be getting.
What Is The Best Amp Placement On Stage?
On stage, things are a little different – you aren’t playing for yourself but for the people.
First things first, if you are playing on stage, then your amp is probably powerful. So don’t point the amp at your audience – the sound may be too intense for them. Instead, point it slightly off-center towards where you or the singer will be. Once you do this, the amp will be sideways to the audience.
Next, avoid placing the on-stage amp stand & amp too close to the mics of other members of your group – this may spoil their music, worsen their performance, as well as will cause sound leaks from other instruments.
With these two points in mind, your amp should be placed to the side of the group. However, where exactly it should be placed is up to you – the amp shouldn’t be tucked away since people won’t hear your playing, but it also shouldn’t be too close because it will deafen your audience.
Play around with the amp positioning and see how it sounds from different points in the hall. Select the position that you think allows the amp to produce the best tone for your needs.
About the Author
Thomas M., the founder of Guitar Top Review, boasts 15+ years of guitar experience and was a church band member in L.A. Transitioning from piano to acoustic guitar, his first love remains his Taylor GS Mini. Alongside like-minded hobbyist friends, he launched the site, driven by a deep love for music that transcends professional boundaries.