K&M Guitar Wall Mount Hanger

When a guitar or bass is hanging from it, it seems secure and functions well. The weight of the instrument pulls (pivots) the arms in closer for a tight fit. The grip fit and enlarged ends should keep an instrument from pivoting out of the hanger. Removing the instrument is easy, because the arms move outward easily. But when I DO remove my instrument, the unloaded arms just sort of flop together. I think this is by design, but it is annoying. For the low price, I probably shouldn't complain much, but I find it difficult to hang an instrument without two hands- one to pivot the arms open, the other to insert the instrument. I can sort of wiggle the neck between them, but it is awkward and I risk bashing the head stock or one of the body horns into the wall. I was hoping the arms would have a spring to open them as weight is removed - like the K&M Memphis guitar stand, but alas, they just pivot free. There is no spring to pull them apart and hold them just wide enough to slip an instrument in. Perhaps mine is looser than others have experienced, but for me, it just seems like a half-baked design. As for the quality of materials, the arms are very sturdy. They are constructed of a rubber encased solid-steel rod, and they are secured to the base with e-clips. The diameter of the steel rod is on par or larger than that used in the String Swing hangers. The rubber is very firm and appears similar to the material used on the Memphis Pro stands, which I've never had a problem with (I don't have any nitro finished necks though). The base however, is just a piece of molded plastic. I would worry that after repeated use, it might crack and fail (and in a very bad way). I'm sure, or would at least hope a high margin of safety was designed into the base (I.E. the material is strong enough in the right places to ensure that any normal use couldn't cause failure), given that buyers will be hanging their prized instruments from it, and a failure would be a let-down in the worst possible way. But based on the floppy arm problem, I can't recommend it. Incidentally, mine came with hollow wall anchors and 2" screws.