Bone socks? (for stands, not feet)

[LowrBrass]

Inspired by the conversation about leaving horns on stands at home, and asking as someone who's never understood the value of a bone sock...

Why are bone socks so great?

Why is the soft rubber of a naked trombone stand bad for a bell?

Does anyone have picture evidence or anecdotes of THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG by putting a trombone on a sock-less stand, short-term and/or long-term?

[BGuttman]

I've found that leaving a trombone on a rubber dome stand for long periods of time after playing (i.e. damp air in the bell) will create a "ring" where the dome contacts the bell. A Bone Sock or even a towel placed over the dome will prevent this. Back in the "bad old days" people would poke a 1/2 inch hole in a tea towel (dish towel) and drape the thing over the dome. A tube sock works as well. As does a Bone Sock.

If you use the stand only for short periods of time and don't leave the trombone on it when not playing I haven't seen any deleterious effects.

Note that stands that use felt standoffs will not have the problem

[Schlitz]

@

[Neo Bri]

Yeah - when you pick your horn up off the stand and the whole stand comes with it - that sucks. Especially on a gig.

[hyperbolica]

I use dark colored tube socks because of the moisture thing, plus when you put your horn down, the rubber tends to grab the bell, but the sock lets it slide.

[ronnies]

Yeah - when you pick your horn up off the stand and the whole stand comes with it - that sucks. Especially on a gig.

The frst time I used my K&M stand at home that tried to happen so I put a sock on it.

I've also met someone who said the reason they had a sock was to stop it squeaking when he removed the trombone.

Ronnie

[Driswood]

I had a Bach 16M with a gold plated bell. I played it for 22 years. After about ten years of putting it on a Hamilton stand with no sock, I noticed a ring inside the bell where the gold plate had worn through, and you could see the silver underneath. I've ALWAYS used a stand sock since. I put a black sock on my stand. I now use a K&M stand, and collapse it when I pack it. I now carry yellow auto rags in my case, and put that over the stand. I have unlacquered bells, and have seen no ring inside.

Jerry Walker

[RichC]

covers all the bases...stays on, absorbent, and enjoyable to obtain...

[afugate]

Does anyone have picture evidence or anecdotes of THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG by putting a trombone on a sock-less stand, short-term and/or long-term?

Pretty sure Bristol Palin has never used one. Results tend to speak the truth.....

--Andy in OKC

[Bonearzt]

I use a black towel on my stand, hides it on the band stand and absorbs the drips AND I don't have to worry about the bell sticking & me lifting the whole thing!

[baileyman]

I use felt stick-on slider feet for furniture stuck on the rubber. Allow air to circulate and will not mark the bell.

[Posaunus]

I'll still advocate for the Hamilton Bone Sock. They work perfectly on each of my stands (Hamilton, K&M, On-Stage). Absorbent micro fiber, soft and bell-protective, no more bell sticking to the stand dome, easy to apply (and stays with your stand). Accomplishes everything these do-it-yourself tricks attempt. Less than $4.00. What's not to like?

[Neo Bri]

I'll still advocate for the Hamilton Bone Sock. They work perfectly on each of my stands (Hamilton, K&M, On-Stage). Absorbent micro fiber, soft and bell-protective, no more bell sticking to the stand dome, easy to apply (and stays with your stand). Accomplishes everything these do-it-yourself tricks attempt. Less than $4.00. What's not to like?

What I don't understand is why Hamilton can't design a good trombone stand. Unless they have one I don't know about.

[Posaunus]

What I don't understand is why Hamilton can't design a good trombone stand. Unless they have one I don't know about.

My Hamilton stands are the chrome-plated ones, with bell cups and round knobs, several years old (I think Model KB510). (Not the really old ones with three felt fingers to hold the bell - those are guaranteed to tip over and damage your trombone!) Aside from losing a couple of the rubber feet (which Hamilton promptly replaced for a few bucks!), they have worked just fine for many years. I guess I don't understand the objection to them.

I also have an On-Stage stand, which works well - and, unlike other trombonists, I sort of like the sprung bell support cup. I've never had problems with stripped screws either. My favorite, though, is the heavy duty K&M stand - the only one I'll use for my bass trombone.

I carry my stands to rehearsals and gigs in inexpensive nylon tripod cases - very convenient. All my stands are fitted with Hamilton Bone Socks.

[StefanHaller]

I'll still advocate for the Hamilton Bone Sock. They work perfectly on each of my stands (Hamilton, K&M, On-Stage). Absorbent micro fiber, soft and bell-protective, no more bell sticking to the stand dome, easy to apply (and stays with your stand). Accomplishes everything these do-it-yourself tricks attempt. Less than $4.00. What's not to like?

They seem to be hard to come by over here in Europe, as far as I can see.

[tbonedude]

I've always used a tube sock on my trombone stand. Usually black (for the gigs), but I've also used white tube socks when I'm in dire need

[Kbiggs]

Mine’s a regular dark blue sock with a heel. It even has a stylish Argyle pattern!

[afugate]

I use a pair of stylish socks that matched a sweater my wife gave me decades ago when we were both young. The sweater no longer fits, but I've kept it - the socks - and the girl!

I'd lose no sleep if I lost the old beater hamilton stand from my high school days. But I'd sure miss the socks.

--Andy in OKC

[Zandit75]

What I don't understand is why Hamilton can't design a good trombone stand. Unless they have one I don't know about.

I have the KB7010 Hamilton System X stand at home for my Bass Trom.
Never had an issue with it. Certainly sturdy enough, but I agree with most of the comments here, it needs a sock.

[Davetall]

All of my trombone stands have a pair of retired black concert socks on them.

[bimmerman]

yep, I just use an actual sock.

My horn developed a ring inside the bell where it contacts the stand, from before I had a sock on it.

[Geordie]

Cannot find them in England.

[BGuttman]

Cannot find them in England.

Tea towels with a 3 cm hole poked in the middle work great.

[CalgaryTbone]

+1 for the Hamilton "socks". I like the breathable material, and the look is better for audience members that get close enough to see the stands. I bought a few of them at a time (Hickeys) and put them on all of my stands that are left in various places (University, symphony hall, home practice area, etc.). Gave a couple to my colleagues at the orchestra while I was at it.

Jim Scott

[greenbean]

Cannot find them in England.

Just use your least favorite pair of socks. I use green; works as well as black.

[afugate]

Cannot find them in England.

Just use your least favorite pair of socks. I use green; works as well as black.

Or your favorite pair. My hamilton stand has the socks that matched the sweater my wife gave me on our first Christmas when we were dating. That was 30 years ago...

I still have the wife - and the trombone!

--Andy in OKC

[wwright]

I played with a trumpet player the other day who must have had the cone-shaped part of the stand down too far because the rubber bumper on the tip lodged deep in his bell and came off the stand when he picked up the horn. It was an effective stopper. A sock should fix that problem, too.

[DakoJack]

I was just about to post a question on whether or not I should put a crown bag on my new K and M stand this answered my questions. I've done it in the past with other stands but was wondering with this rubber material, glad I found this thread.

[andym]

I use a pair of poly fleece socks that a friend made for me. As socks I don't like them because they are too slippery on the floor and were really meant as slippers. They are awesome as bone socks. My friend was insulted. Apparently she has trouble understanding that protecting my trombones is a position of great honor.

[bigbandbone]

I use those small micro-fiber rags you can get for free from Harbor Freight when you buy anything else. Just find Center, cut a hole, and put it over the stem to settle down on the rubber dome.

[8parktoollover]

my stand is made of hard plastic and I don't want it to sceatch the bell. It might be weird vus I just put on a black dress sock over it.

[walldaja]

I use a Hercules in-bell stand. It comes with a cloth cover. Once I open the stand I just put that cover over the stand. That solves the problem of finding it once a gig is over and the stage is dark too.

[ericcheng2005]

I've used one of those long athletic socks on my horn stand for a while, gives me peace of mind from sharp bell trauma.

[ssking2b]

RichC has the right idea! The Crown Royal bags are great. If you don't want the whiskey, you can buy the bags on Ebay. I use them with all my horn stands and in the cases, over the spit valve end of the slide. Last yeat I got 20 of them on eBay for $8.00 - so I have given many away to students.