Does anybody have an allegiance to any guitar stands

I used to buy all my guitar stands locally because I discovered that it's an item that costs way too much to pay shipping. The local music store used to sell Profile stands,which are the type that have a vertical back bar and a U-shaped cup to hold the neck. There was a point where they didn't stock them anymore, so I started buying the A-frame stands from them. After the owner of the music store treated me like dirt, I went and bought a pile more stands from Walmart. They were pure unadulterated crap stands labelled First Act and probably the worst I've ever seen. When I started sorting and organizing for my upcoming move, I kept three of the A frame stands and sold a dozen Profile and First Act stands. It didn't make any sense to hang on to them....I only have 7 instruments left, and I don't have room in my new place to have more than one or two out of the cases at one time.

I still have an antique guitar stand that I bought at the original music store in town when I was 16. It's fairly primitive...all chrome flat metal bars that can be folded up for travel or set up using slotted head bolts and wingnuts. That's what I take to gigs because it'll collapse small enough to fit in my little suitcase full of cables.

I have a variety of stands--bought over time.
I wanted to have one per guitar so I could set them all out at the same time--and I wound up with more than I need.

I have Onstage Stands, Profile, and other brands.
A couple are store branded.
Some were cheaper.

I have ones like Spell describes.(The Profile ones)
I have one like that which has a spring loaded piece to keep the guitar from falling forward.
I have a two guitar stand as well. (They would be placed back to back.)
And I have a 5 guitar stand where they line up beside each other.
I used that one yesterday and had 4 guitars lined up on it.
Mostly I use it when I play at home & want to play three or more in one playing session.

I also have one that is sort of a Hercules copy--where the guitar hangs--btu it isn't as good as a Hercules--the neck holder works differently.
I use that one for my Mandobird as the bottom of that one makes it awkward in my other stands.-and it's got low gravity so it won't fall over as easily.

I alos have one that was customs made as a gift--it's made of solid metal, not tubing & is shaped like a treble clef.
I do need to replace the tubing on it.
It wa made with cheap tubing that falls apart over time.
I do have some old straps that didn't react to the guitars so I may use those to replace the tubing.

Ah Yes I have one of those Hercules 5 guitar stands too but I don't bring it anywhere.

I also have a few OnStage stands but they tend to fall apart so I haven't bought them in quite a few years

One stand I've never owned, but have had a woodie for since I first saw one, is the Fender multiple guitar rack that folds out from what looks like a Fender guitar case. It struck me that if a guy was going to take multiple instruments to a gig, this would be ideal.

www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/fender-7-guitar-case-stand

My 5 guitar stand is not Hercules--but is like the 3 guitar one above--I use it at home when I feel like switching between guitars--it is better than opening & closing cases, etc--I can do it all at the start & end of my playing session.

As well our church normally has had a retreat each year & we have many musicians who join in playing--it's a come as you wish type scenario.
I bring my 5 guitar stand to share the spaces with others.
It works well.
MyOnStage stands have been sturdy--no issues there.
But then you gig more than I do.

But when I taught I carried a stand with me to & from work every day--often walking or by bus (I lived close to the studio for about half my time teaching--and given traffic when I went work it was quicker to walk)

those stands lasted--and I can still use them.

On stage is fine for home and light duty use but they don't take well to being subjected to gig punishment

Maybe!

If you ever see the K&M ones, check them out, I am really happy with all their stands, including the mic stands

Yeah, me too

I do like Hercules stands--although I don't own one--but I have a copy of one--although the mechanism is different.
It works great for my Epi Mandobird.

I can see why that would turn you off--but who knows--could have been a freak occurrence 
I've heard so many good things about Hercules stands.