Topic: manfrotto 3373

[EYES]

ANYONE USE THIS STAND AND HOW STURDY IS IT thanks and +t's for your comments
                                                eyes

[Gordon]

tons of us use these for FOB.  they are sturdy enough at 6-7 feet, depending what kind of mics you run.  I wouldn't put any tl's on there

[sleepypedro]

i run a 3373 with two pairs of small diaphragm mics regularly.  no issues.

[wilsonedits]

the 3373 is the only stand I use...  its very sturdy...  can even support a video camera with the  issues right adaptor on top

[gratefulphish]

It is a very lightweight compact stand, but definitely not for LD mics.

[Brian Skalinder]

It is a very lightweight compact stand, but definitely not for LD mics.

I use it for LDs all the time, often 1 pair LD + 1 pair SD.

[gratefulphish]

Brian, I just find it too light for my LDs.  I love the stand, but it is so light, and so top heavy with them there, that any significant vibration gets them moving, and anybody even bumping lightly could take it right down.

[Brian Skalinder]

I've found if I align my LDs coincident very close to the stand's vertical axis, the stability's okay.  If I run the mics off the axis, like with a Shure A57M bar that pushes the mics out a good ~6-8" from the stand's vertical axis, my stability goes to shit.  I also typically tape my stand down securely.  YMMV.

[gratefulphish]

Then I assume you are using clamps.  Super clamps, or something else.  I have taken to bungee cording my empty, but still heavy pack, to the bottom of my stand.  It really works very well, particularly on surfaces that tape doesn't hold well, or where the club does not like tape.

[Brian Skalinder]

Then I assume you are using clamps.  Super clamps, or something else.

Yeah, a couple of Windtech "C" Type clamps.  Work great.

[gratefulphish]

Brian, What is the distance from the inside edge of the 5/8 thread to the pole that the clamp is mounted on? I am trying to see whether it will accomodate my mics, with the windscreens on.  Thanks.

[Brian Skalinder]

Brian, What is the distance from the inside edge of the 5/8 thread to the pole that the clamp is mounted on? I am trying to see whether it will accomodate my mics, with the windscreens on.  Thanks.

I find the limiting factor is not the distance between the shockmount thread and the threaded mount to which it attaches, but rather the width of the shockmount body itself that supports the mic.  At any rate, it's ~1-1/8" between the pole and the vertical 5/8" threaded mount.

First pic:  my setup with clamps, mics run as close to the stand's vertical axis as possible.
Second pic:  same setup using the Shure A27M vert bar.

[gratefulphish]

The TLM-170s have a built-in shockmount system, as well as swivel and tilt, the downside is that you cannot rotate them on the vertical axis.  I see that you are actually swinging your mics around, so that the distance from the thread to the pole is less important to you.  Do the clamps screw the thread in from the bottom, or is it a fixed thread, that you screw the mic down onto?  Thanks for answering all of these questions.  +T again.

[Brian Skalinder]

Do the clamps screw the thread in from the bottom, or is it a fixed thread, that you screw the mic down onto?

Not positive I understand the question.  The mic clip or shockmount obviously screws onto the 5/8" thread.  The bottom, male half of this stud slots into an opening in the clamp body and is secured with a set screw.  Loosening the set screw allows one to rotate the stud 360º or remove it completely from the clamp body.

In the pic below, you can see the 5/8" threaded portion of the stud at the top of the pic.  The bottom, male half of the stud is already inserted into clamp body and secured by the set screw.  But you can also see the additional hole into which one may insert the stud, perpendicular to the studs current orientation, so the stud would rise "out of the picture towards you" (or "into the picture away from you".  Not sure if that makes any sense.

[wbrisette]

ANYONE USE THIS STAND AND HOW STURDY IS IT thanks and +t's for your comments
                                                eyes

This weekend I ran a Decca tree on one. I made the Decca tree out of 1x1 red oak. Had two arms of the tree out at 1 metre, the front arm was out 1.5 metres.

I used two gaffer sandbags (15 lbs each) at the base to ensure it was stationary and didn't move.

Wayne

[EYES]

+T'S to all,i ordered the stand


                                       eyes

[Patrick]

I think what Brian is trying to explain is that the Windtech calmp can be run in one of two ways. 

Vertical:





OR Horizontal.  This is what I use for when mic trees become really crowded.  It saves space and is more low-pro than running vertical.

[kskreider]

The 3373 is the only stand I have.  The legs on it are hacked a little bit so that it folds up much more cleanly.  I really never tape anything other than FOB or on stage and it works really really good for both of those situations.  One thing that I noticed last night while using it on stage.  I was taping a old time show and the musicians were stomping really hard on the stage.  Every stand was shaking/wobbling but my 3373 was solid as a rock.

[gratefulphish]

Do the clamps screw the thread in from the bottom, or is it a fixed thread, that you screw the mic down onto?

Not positive I understand the question.  The mic clip or shockmount obviously screws onto the 5/8" thread.  The bottom, male half of this stud slots into an opening in the clamp body and is secured with a set screw.  Loosening the set screw allows one to rotate the stud 360º or remove it completely from the clamp body.

In the pic below, you can see the 5/8" threaded portion of the stud at the top of the pic.  The bottom, male half of the stud is already inserted into clamp body and secured by the set screw.  But you can also see the additional hole into which one may insert the stud, perpendicular to the studs current orientation, so the stud would rise "out of the picture towards you" (or "into the picture away from you".  Not sure if that makes any sense.

What actually asking, and I think that I can derive the answer from the photo, is whether you can screw the 5/8" thread all the way into the mic mount, and then adjust the angle by loosening the set screw and turning the 5/8" thread.   If the whole 5/8" shaft can be removed, so that it can be perpindicular to the clamp, then this should be possible.  Also, is that other nut a set screw like on the Shure bar?  That alone would also solve my issue.

[Brian Skalinder]

What actually asking, and I think that I can derive the answer from the photo, is whether you can screw the 5/8" thread all the way into the mic mount, and then adjust the angle by loosening the set screw and turning the 5/8" thread.

Yes, that's correct.  For example, in the first pic Patrick posted, one may loosen the set screw and then freely rotate the mics 360º, e.g. so they're pointing towards the desk, or to the left, or right, or anyone in between, etc.

Also, is that other nut a set screw like on the Shure bar?

Not sure what you mean by "other nut".  On these clamps, there's the mounting stud/thread, and the set screw that secures the mic mounting stud in the body of the clamp.  That's it.  The Shure A27M has what I would call jam-nuts.  They allow one to orient the mic to the thread at the desired depth and angle.  No reason one couldn't use a jam-nut on the Windtech clamp, but it's not really necessary since the stud will rotate freely within the slot once the set screw's loosened.

FWIW, if you're looking for microphone jam nuts in general, I like these:  http://www.latchlakemusic.com/jam_nuts.html

[gratefulphish]

Brian, Thanks again, that first part answered the most critical part of my question.  But in your picture, just above the top of the black part of the clamp, there is what appears to be a hex nut, that is what I was asking about in the second half of the question.

[Patrick]

Brian, Thanks again, that first part answered the most critical part of my question.  But in your picture, just above the top of the black part of the clamp, there is what appears to be a hex nut, that is what I was asking about in the second half of the question.

Depending what you're clamping to, you can rotate that black plastic piece by loosening the set screw.

If you're clamping to something round like a stand or a rail, you would use the indented side of the piece, as in the picture.

If you're clamping to something flat and flush (like your desk, for example  ) turn it around and you have a flush surface which you can clamp on...

Hope this helps...

[Brian Skalinder]

in your picture, just above the top of the black part of the clamp, there is what appears to be a hex nut, that is what I was asking about in the second half of the question.

Ah, yes.  That's just part of the stud, it doesn't rotate freely from the rest of the stud.  I use it on occasion to latch on with a pair of pliers if the stud gets screwed into the shockmount too tightly to loosen by hand.

[gratefulphish]

And that there puts an end to my questions about these clamps.  Need to measure quickly, and call and order. Already +Td you.  Thanks.

[Patrick]

It's kind of hard to explain using words, but if you hold one in your hand for 30 seconds you'll know everything about it.

[gratefulphish]

With Brian's help and your photos as well, and having seen one live and in person, I have my answers now.  Thanks again.  Order placed.

[shaggy]

I am suprised nobody mentioned the 3372.  It is a bit taller at 7.5 plus feet, only three sections and has tube legs.  I think this is a more sturdy stand than the 3373 with 5 sections, 6 feet of height and the strip metal legs (which can lie flat, great for FOB).  5 sections folds a bit more compactly than 3 but this is where the comprimise in stabilty comes from.  2 lbs vs 2.75.  Price wise, about the same.