About us

SINCE 1883

Since 1883 Hamilton Stands has been a recognized leader in the design and engineering of sheet music and instrument stands. For 125 years the name has been synonymous with quality and durability and is widely recognized in the music industry. Its product line includes guitar stands and accessories, wind instrument stands, a bass viol stand and symphonic, portable and folding sheet music stands.

Hamilton Stands is located in historic Lebanon Ohio where it conducts its active product design work. Since 2004 the Company has increasingly sourced its products from highly experienced music products manufacturers in the Pacific Rim.

The Hamilton line was developed by the Krauth and Benninghofen families in Hamilton, Ohio. Many of the early products were patented and the line was featured in a display at the St. Louis International Exposition in 1906.

Throughout the 20th century, from Dixieland through Punk, Hamilton products supported the growth of popular music.

In 1965 the Company was acquired by the Chicago Musical Instrument Company and then in 1979 by the James David Company.

In 1982, two men associated with the Company, Virgil Maines and Ben Diesbach, acquired Hamilton Stands. As sole owner, Virgil Maines sold the Company to three of his children in 2000.

The current owner, Bill Carpenter, an industry veteran and active musician, acquired Hamilton in January 2006.

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