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what is the theory behind maple stands and racks?

I have not "heard" a maple amp stand or rack - using Billy Bags products now, which are made from steel and mdf - but don't grasp why maple would be a good material to use - quite the opposite. Maple is used for some electric guitars because it "rings" - it is very dense and causes notes to sustain, which is to say, it continues to vibrate for a long time. This would seem to be exactly the opposite of what one wants in a stand or a rack. If there is some claim that vibration is "drained away", well, if the rack is continuing to ring, that would likely cause acoustical feedback - the equipment isn't isolated from the thing it is sitting on. Can anyone who is not a vendor of these things explain the why of it, or relate positive experiences that seem to have a basis in fact?
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mitch2
3,694 posts
 
Most pool cues are made of maple (at least the shaft portion), probably because the highish specific gravity leads to improved stiffness and a lower susceptibility to moisture related changes.

Many audio equipment platforms, etc. are made of maple because audiophiles believe they can hear a difference between an amp sitting on maple and one sitting on oak, and also because we receive a catalogue from "Mapleshade" and none from "Oakshade."
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
The trouble with oak is it is far too lofty and grab up all the light. Maples have been oppressed.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Maple is also used for quasi mystical reasons. .. i.e. there exists the urban legend that the old master luthiers like Stradivari, Guadagnini, Testori, Guarner, Amati, made their violins, violas, cellos mostly from maple. . . truth is that maple was frequently used, but only for instrument backs, and was often replaced by other inexpensive local timber, like poplar, nowdays relagated to constructing orange crates.

Why not experiment with other inexpensive hard timber in racks? Lyptus for example is slightly harder and denser than maple, mechanically as stable, and slightly inexpensive. Ype is even harder, heavier, and even less expensive. . . and then there is Ash, as mentioned by Bill. . . yet, the mystique of maple continues unabated. G.
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geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Apparently most if not all high end drumsticks are made of maple, for example all 10 models of Vic Firth drumsticks. Including, yup, the Charlie Watts Signature Drumstick. Probably just coincidence.
markphd
667 posts
 
Audiofeil, you are correct in that most baseball bats are traditionally made of ash. A few years ago, maple became the trendy new bat when MLB approved the "Sam" bat made by a guy in Canada. When Barry Bonds adopted the maple bats, they started to become more common. However, there is now a movement by MLB executives to get maple bats banned. When they shatter, they tend to break into big chunks with huge jagged sharp ends that go flying into the crowd. They're considered dangerous because of this. The players who like to use the bats are not too thrilled about this and there might even be some union issues involved if MLB follow through on trying to ban them.

Anyway, the new season starts today! Take me out to the ballpark!
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