JJ Jenkins and George Petersen form the basis of the SF Bay Area recording and
live performance rock ensemble ARIEL, having played hundreds of gigs, both as
headliners as well as opening for well-known acts, such as Santana and Metallica.
They are also the authors of CRAZY CAMPSONGS -- a book of whacked singalongs
illustrated by famed MAD magazine artist Jack Davis. Click on the band logo
above to hear some ARIEL for yourself!
Are you tired of those wimpy keyboard stands? You know, the ones that are too
flimsy to hold a typical keyboard setup: Bosendorfer Imperial grand, Hammond
B-3 and a Rhodes 88. We checked out all the stands on the market and flatly
must tell you that they just can't support a mere 1,400-pound stack! Looking for a
solution to this problem, we found the answer right in our own backyard (literally!).
If you're willing to invest a few bucks and a couple hours' time, you can convert
that most-underutilized American appliance into a stand that will give you
centuries of trouble-free service. Haven't guessed it yet? No it's not a trash
compactor or even an iron lung... it's that wonderful old brick barbeque that
has sat idle next to your backyard fallout shelter for the past 30 years.
But seriously folks, converting a 2,200-pound brick eyesore into a useful onstage
accessory has many advantages: It's sturdy! Inexpensive! Rust-free! Non-conductive!
Theft-proof! But best of all, this former brick BBQ has that fashionably chic 1950s
retro look, and you can REALLY COOK between sets.
Now the REAL fun begins. It is essential that the mortar mix be maintained at
57.6-degrees Fahrenheit--shaken, not stirred. Proper viscosity is crucial and should
be comparable to week-old (or weak, old) Malt-O-Meal. The number of bricks required
to support the keyboards depends on the size of your barbeque and the length of your
arms. Unless gigantism runs in your family, we recommend no more than 96 tiers.
If you gig in the same crummy bars that we do, we also recommend adding the
optional "brick wall filtering" (seen in the photo above), which has shown itself to be
an effective beer bottle-preventing edifice when used in a conscientiously applied
program of aural hygiene and regular professional care.
Moving your new synth stand is really no sweat---well almost---especially since
most standard barbeques also fit neatly on that old B-3 dolly that you also haven't
used in years.
If you are one of those fortunate few who don't access to a genuine barbecue, but
would enjoy this weekend BBQ project, kits (including bricks, mortar, blueprints and
complete assembly instructions are available from the authors for only $1,995.50,
FOB Santa Mira, California. The grill and briquettes are optional.
We trust you'll enjoy your new keyboard stand and hope you will check this space
soon for our next project...
THE RACK-MOUNT HIBACHI !!!