what is the theory behind maple stands and racks?

The trouble with oak is it is far too lofty and grab up all the light. Maples have been oppressed.

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.

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.

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!

Mapleshade claims they have done comparison tests and have found that North American Maple "sounds the best". They are in the business of selling the stuff, so I take their claims about maple with a pinch of saw dust. Who knows - maybe a little bit of the right kind of "sustain" in your platform makes your audio gear "sing" like a stratocaster?

In my limited fooling around with different isolation platforms, I cannot tell the difference in sound between Maple, Ash or Bamboo. BUT I find that I can tell the difference between intact wood and MDF, particle board, synthetic materials or steel (although Aluminum may be a good choice), with wood sounding the best to me. And the thicker and heavier the wood the better.

I can see it now - knownothing's Genuine North American Tree Stump Equipment Stands...