Feature:
The concept is excellent. I've had 3 of these and I probably bought one of the first ones ever made. Unfortunately, that was also the best one ever made. The newer ones still have all the same features but, the build/fit quality has deteriorated. My Tribars don't fall in. But they go past the "stops" and I can't get them out without turning it upside down and pounding it on the floor, or resorting to tools.

Quality:
There are some inherent design issues. The "stops" to capture the tribars aren't definitive enough and the plastic sleeves that hold them aren't precise enough in fit to contain the tribars in storage. They either squeeze so hard it takes pliers to get them out or, it lets them drop through. But with inherently imprecise materials (plastic) and stops that are only about 1/32 of an inch, you're setting yourself up for trouble. Some re-engineering needs to be done here. While they're at it, they could secure the rubber feet with screws. The plastic cap over thr tribars needs a positive lock.

Value:
The price seems a bit steep, particularly since the build quality doesn't support it.

Desirability:
Why would I buy 3 of them? The first one worked great. I bought the second one so I could get the built in mic stand and extended tribars. I bought the 3rd one because I was so disappointed in the fit/finish quality of the second one. I figured I must have just had a lemon. Unfortunately, I think the manufacturing has been outsourced and the product quality has suffered for it since the 3rd one was a repeat of the second.

Sound:
Not applicable

Ease of Use:
Again the concept is great-all self-contained stand. But with some of the fit issues, the plastic stop that doesn't stay closed for example, makes the execution disappointing. I play places where I have to transition the stage with other groups regularly. When I pick up my stand and try to drag it out of the way, the rubber feet come off. I don't dare disassemble for fear the tribars will get stuck inside and I won't be able to recover them in time.

Support:
This is the biggest issue. Ultimate used to be the best at this. You'd call up with a problem and they'd ship you parts for free. I had the greatest problem with my tribar sleeves in my latest one. I called numerous times and explained that I needed both sleeves replaced. After numerous reminders, they sent me one. I repeated this again multiple times explaining that I needed the second one as well. Months later I finally got it. Unfortunately, though this improved the situation, the tribars still fall through. It just happens less often now. But I used to get turnaround in a matter of days. Now it takes that long just to get in touch with someone and then, they never call back and tend to put you off until you've repeated the exercise numerous times.

Overall:
Despite its disappointments, it's still the best option out there for a 2-tier setup and portability and unintrusive form factor. I wish Ultimate would go back to making them way they used to. I know I would happlily pay a higher price to obtain the quality!

• User: a customer from craneaerospace.com
• Submitted: 8/25/2008
• Style of Music: Disco/Dance/ R & B
• Location: Seattle, WA

Feature:
This is the most gigable of any keyboard stand. The (optional) mic boom attachment is cool. You can also get longer support arms for larger keyboards, though these don't stash away inside the unit like the standard-lengh ones. It is surprisingly solid feeling, even with heavier keyboards or 2 keyboards.

Quality:
Everyone starts out with the folding-x style stands and these are quite solid and dependable until you lose the rubber feet - there just isn't much to break. The main advantages of Ultimate Apex are that it does better with 2 keyboards, can mount a mic boom, and transports in much less space.

Value:
If you gig, play 2 keyboards, sing while you're playing, or are just tired of the bulkiness of a folding-x stand - this is the one to get. If you play a single keyboard in your bedroom, this isn't worth the money.

Desirability:
This is the standard professional-keys stand.

Ease of Use:
Very easy to set up and take down. The legs and standard-sized keyboard support arms stash inside the unit. If you use the extra-long keyboard arms or mic boom you need to carry them separately. You **really** need a bag for this thing if you carry it with other gear as it will scratch up an amp if it rides up against it in a van or trailer.

Overall:
It's not absolutely perfect, but it's pretty good.

• User: a customer from portant.com
• Submitted: 12/26/2007
• Style of Music: All over the road
• Location: Rockwall, Texas

Quality:
The design is efficient and compact for transport. However the top cover is cheap plastic, and mine broke off somewhere as I found it was missing. This means that the support bars slide out, which I'll end up losing because of this. Also the rubber feet come off somewhat easily, and when they are gone then the legs are susceptible to sliding all the way through the inside, so you can't get them out, without disassembling. These sorts of things happen on the road and it could use some tweaking, too many unreliable and losable parts.

• Submitted: 10/2/2007

Feature:
I prefer the heavier clamp that is available with longer arms for weighted keyboards.

Quality:
Some plastic parts do wear out or don't fit perfectly but are replaceable relatively cheap.

Value:
It's a little more expensive but if it makes your life easier it's worth it.

Desirability:
It has functional beauty.

Sound:
This is a pretty cool product. I've owned one for at least 20 years. The only reason I am writing this review is because the moron who says these are shoddily built is just stupid and wrong. This is one of the easiest stands to setup and use and has been an asset in setting up and breaking down for me. It's not perfect but it's very useable and has real product support as opposed to some other companies. This is the only one piece stand on the market that I know of. Try it if you got the bucks. If you don't like it , it has a pretty good resale value.

Ease of Use:
Quick setup and breakdown.

Support:
I have ordered replacement parts several times over the years without getting the runaround.

Overall:
I have bought a couple of these used but never really needed more than one.

• Submitted: 6/24/2007
• Location: Maryland

Feature:
This stand looks great, but is built very shoddily. On the way to the first show with it, the top where the arms are stored would not stay closed without tape. The legs would not fold back in properly after 2 shows. I called the company and they had me ship it back to them at my expense. I had to find a box to fit it since the leg wouldn't fold in. Instead of replacing the stand, they "repaired" it. I was extra gentle with it. 2 rehearsals and it was useless at the next show. The leg at first would not come out, then fell into the base, never to be seen again. I called Ultimate again, and they still refuse to replace it and want me to ship it back to them at my expense for repair. I am a tourng musician and this is unacceptable. Maybe I just got a lemon, but I am disgusted by the company.

Quality:
Completely undependable if you play gigs, might be ok if you just set it up and leave it.

Value:
Useless at any price.

Desirability:
It would be awesome if it worked.

Support:
They did not respond to email and I was able to reach them after a few pphone calls.

Overall:
I'm looking...I might have to just use 2 double braced X stands in an L shape.

• User: a customer from erols.com
• Submitted: 6/9/2006
• Style of Music: Rock
• Location: Brooklyn, NY USA