How to Make a PVC Guitar Stand

I wanted a stand for my bass guitar, and I didn't want to shell out the $15 or so for a "real" one, so I decided to build my own. I was inspired by the PVC multiple guitar stand and the Hole Shot by Basturd Brother's Guitar Stands. I spent less than $5 on this project, but that's only because I get a sizable discount at the hardware store where my mom works. I can't imagine it'll cost more than $10.

Step 1: The Parts

You'll need the following parts to build this:

• 5 feet of 3/4" PVC pipe
• 1 foot of 1/2" PVC pipe
• 2 feet of 3/4" pipe insulation foam (I had to buy 6 feet to get any)
• 5 3/4" PVC tees
• 2 3/4" PVC elbows
• 1 3/4" to 1/2" PVC conversion elbow
• 1 1/2" PVC tee
• 2 1/2" PVC elbows

Step 2: Cut Cut Cut

You'll need to cut the PVC and foam before you can assemble this thing. A hacksaw works charms for cutting PVC as well as foam. Here are the lengths you'll need:

• 30" of 3/4" PVC
• 2 x 7" of 3/4" PVC
• 6" of 3/4" PVC
• 2 x 2.5" of 3/4" PVC
• 2 x 1.25" of 3/4" PVC
• 3 x 1.25" of 1/2" PVC
• 2 x 3" of 1/2" PVC
• 2 x 6" of foam
• 3 x 2.5" of foam

Step 3: Hack the Foam

The foam isn't quite ready yet. You'll need to cut it up a bit to fit on the 1/2" PVC. Take one of the 2.5" pieces of foam. What the plan is here is to cut a wedge in the foam so we can fit it over a 1/2" PVC tee. I used a miter box to help. You'll need to find the slit on the foam, then rotate it a quarter turn and mark the middle. Then you want to draw two lines that form a right angle at the point you marked (see picture). I found it easiest to start the cuts with a utility knife, and make the rest of cut using a serrated kitchen knife. You should end up with a nice 90 degree wedge in the foam. The last step for this piece is to cut through the slit in the foam so it can be opened.

Now you need to modify the remaining two 2.5" pieces of foam so that they fit snugly on 1/2" PVC pipe. Draw a line 1/2" away from the slit on the foam and cut along that. Be sure to cut following the shape of the circle, so the two edges will fit together.

Step 4: Assembling the Base

To assemble the base, first connect a tee to each end of the 6" piece of 3/4" PVC. Then connect an elbow to one end of each of the 7" pieces of 3/4" PVC. Use the 1.25" pieces of 3/4" PVC to connect the elbows to the tees. This is the front of the base.

Connect the 2.5" pieces of 3/4" PVC to each side of another tee, then put a tee on each of the 2.5" pieces. This is the back of the base.

Slide the 6" pieces of foam onto the 7" pieces of PVC, then connect the front to the back using the exposed ends of the 7" pieces.

Step 5: Assemble the Top

The top part will hold the neck of the guitar. First, connect two 1.25" pieces of 1/2" PVC to the 1/2" tee. Then attach the two 1/2" elbows, and stick the 3" pieces of 1/2" PVC into the elbows. Slide the foam onto the tee and 3" pieces and seal it. I used Gorilla Glue and "clamped" it using duct tape, and it holds great. Finally connect the tee to the 3/4" to 1/2" conversion elbow using the last 1.25" piece of 1/2" PVC.

Step 6: Put It All Together

The last step is to connect the base and the top using the 30 inch piece of 3/4" PVC. Simply connect it to the conversion elbow on the top and the middle tee on the base. You can easily adjust the angle of the stand, but it will hold a guitar without falling over. You may want to glue the joints with PVC cement to make it sturdier, but on the other hand, leaving it unglued will allow you to transport it easier and make later modifications.

Comments

[randalosgood]

Why didn't you use PVC cement?

[darrennie]

benfarhner, Thanks so much for the great stand.
Not only was it inexpensive,(about $15 Canadian) but very easy to build as it was laid out so well.
As I was not building for a bass I modified it a bit for my guitar. I increased the width to 7" for stability and I shortened the depth by half to 3 1/2" and to compensate put 3 rolls of pennies in the front tube and it sits like a rock now, with no glue needed.
Also since I did not want to buy another 10' of 1/2" I just used 3/4" tube and fittings for the top piece but modded it as well to support the guitar as it wanted to lean all the time. Inclosed are some pics, and thanks again, darrennie.

http://min.us/mncIE3Z4g#1

[benfarhner]

This is fantastic! I love how the top hooks around. Great job, always fun to see others' builds!

[bschröder]

I'm going to try this tomorrow. I'll probably fill the bottom pipes with sand and cap them to make a heavier base. Any thoughts?

[jackcade]

i love playing guitar ...... but i'm broke this will help a ton

[averma]

Thank you thank you so much................ dear

[jpmonkey]

why cant this be made with all 3/4" pvc

[crobertson317]

This looks great! Would like to build this weekend ! having a bit of trouble finding the 3/4" to 1/2" conversion elbow ? any help ? Thanks

[stevo1994]

Sorry if its too late, but I found my 3/4" to 1/2" at Lowe's.

[Glockenator]

Uh, yeah my Gibsons aren't going on one of these

[dannyo013]

A lot of people cant afford nice guitar stands... not to mention Gibsons... But i stand by my Squier Showmaster before any Gibsons any day. ;D

[ushuaia]

This is nice. Really simple. Thanks for sharing!

[pwellbball]

Nice job. I just built mine for my acoustic. I made the bottom pieces 11" and the upright is only 28". works very well. Thanks

[plyher]

Decent looking stand and nice directions. Thanks. There's some concern about damage to a guitar's finish caused by rubber or other padding from "real" guitar stands. I'll probably substitute cloth diaper strips instead of the foam before I use it for my Ric 4003 or Hofner basses.

[valhallas_end]

You could wrap the foam/rubber in a few layers of your cloth of choice - I've found silk to be very kind to any finish, but if you have a static-y room heavy cotton may be better. I actually just built one of these today and found this Instructable when looking for the best bumper material, but on the previous store-bought stand I had (now broken) I had to wrap the rubber with silk after I noticed a slight discoloration on the finish.

[Constructo Man]

Will this work for acoustics?

[benfarhner]

It should work fine for an acoustic guitar as well. However, acoustic guitars have thicker bodies, so you may want to make the base a little longer to compensate.

[wazupwiop]

excellent

[HAL 9000]

Wow, this is a surprisingly well put together stand, especially for being PVC. Many PVC projects are a little half-assed, then again some are not. this is the latter. I can see this being duplicated with steel electrical conduit. I'm fine with the PVC though, and I think I just found my weekend project, along with making the mast and sail for my tiny homemade sailboat (future instructable). One question, i got a nice "real" stand for Christmas, which i like very much. The top part goes all the way around the fretboard to keep it from falling out, and it has a nice little flip-down thingie on the side to get it out. How about a bit of Bungee cord or a rubber band or something to go across the front of the fretboard to keep it in? Very good instructable, I'm definitely doing this over the weekend! Ill see about making the aforementioned alteration, I'll post pictures. Favorited!!

[HAL 9000]

Ok. so, over the weekend i made two of these, one for myself and one for my brother. I went down to the hardware store and the folks down there were very helpful in cutting me the right sized PVC pieces (I went to a local store, no Home Depot or Lowes). I came home and chopped them all up and was surprised at how well this worked out. Its very easy to make, a child could do this if he had access to a hacksaw. Great job. If anyone does this instructable be sure to get the thick walled Schedule 40 PVC, the thin walled crap will break if you look at it wrong. Not suitable for this. Anyway, the total cost of all the little pieces and the lengths of pipe was just over $14, so about seven dollars per stand, which was great since I already owed my brother 7 bucks, now were even. This stand looks great, I'm going to paint them sometime. I didn't use the PVC cement, mostly because i plan on taking it apart when I paint it. All around great instructable, and a great design, too!