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| Hercules (musical accessories) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Hercules |
| Industry | Musical accessories |
| Founded | 1980s |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Osaka |
| Products | Stands, mounts, clamps, cases, straps |
Hercules (musical accessories)
Hercules (musical accessories) is a manufacturer and brand of instrument supports, stands, and related equipment associated with firms and retailers across Tokyo, Osaka, Los Angeles, New York City, London and Berlin. Established amid the commercial expansion of the 1980s alongside companies such as Roland Corporation, Yamaha Corporation, and Kawai Musical Instruments, Hercules built a reputation through collaborations and distribution networks involving vendors like Guitar Center, Sweetwater Sound, and Sam Ash Music Stores. The brand is noted in catalogs alongside products from Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Gibson Brands, Shure Incorporated, and Sennheiser.
Hercules emerged during a period marked by innovations from Steinway & Sons and Selmer (Paris), targeting accessories for instruments made by Fender, Gibson, Yamaha, Korg, and Casio. The company positioned itself in proximity to supply chains used by Mackie, Behringer, and Ibanez, serving retail channels including Thomann (company), Music & Arts, and regional distributors in Shanghai, Seoul, and Taipei. Its product identity is often discussed in trade publications alongside names like Modern Drummer, Guitar World, and Sound on Sound.
Hercules' catalog spans stands and mounts for fretted instruments popularized by artists linked to Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix, as well as supports for keyboards favored by Herbie Hancock and Rick Wakeman. Offerings include guitar stands, bass stands, microphone stands in the tradition of SHURE SM58 users, keyboard benches echoing designs used by Keith Emerson, and travel cases similar to models from SKB Cases and Gator Cases. Accessories such as straps, capos, tuners, and clamps place Hercules alongside D’Addario & Company, Planet Waves, and Kyser in retail listings from Zzounds and Musician's Friend.
Design choices reflect influences from engineering practices seen at Honda, Panasonic, and Sony, using alloys and polymers comparable to components in products by Tama Drums and DW Drums. Materials include aluminum alloys used by Aerospace Corporation suppliers, nylon composites reminiscent of materials in Patagonia, Inc. gear, and foam or rubber blends akin to those in Bose Corporation accessories. Ergonomic considerations reference standards observed in equipment used by orchestras at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and Sydney Opera House.
Hercules products are marketed for compatibility with instruments manufactured by Gibson, Fender, PRS Guitars, Yamaha, Roland, and Korg, and for use in settings such as studios run by producers in the network of Abbey Road Studios, Sun Studio, and Capitol Studios. Applications include live touring with acts represented by agencies like William Morris Endeavor, CAA (talent agency), and Creative Artists Agency, as well as session work for composers associated with Hans Zimmer, John Williams, and Ennio Morricone. Mounting systems are designed to interface with rigs from Manfrotto Group and road cases from SKB.
Manufacturing has historically involved suppliers across China, Vietnam, and Japan, leveraging contract manufacturers similar to those used by Foxconn and Pegatron for production scaling. Distribution channels involve major retailers such as Guitar Center, Thomann, and Sam Ash Music Stores, online marketplaces including Amazon (company) and eBay, and regional dealers in Madrid, Paris, Milan, São Paulo, and Mexico City. Logistics partnerships reference carriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS for international freight.
Hercules stands and accessories have been reviewed in publications alongside products from Roland, Yamaha, and Fender, receiving mentions in magazines such as Guitar World, Modern Drummer, and Mix (magazine). Endorsements and use by session musicians who have recorded at Abbey Road Studios or toured with ensembles tied to Live Nation and AEG Presents contributed to brand visibility. The brand's influence is observed in pedagogy at conservatories like Juilliard School, Royal Conservatory of Music, and Curtis Institute of Music where reliable accessories are valued.
Safety standards reference protocols and testing similar to those promulgated by organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories, ISO standards bodies, and product testing labs working with manufacturers like Bosch. Maintenance recommendations follow practices used by technicians at venues including Madison Square Garden and Wembley Stadium, advising periodic inspections for wear comparable to procedures used by road crew teams for acts like U2, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé. Replacement parts are sourced from suppliers comparable to Dunlop Manufacturing and Schaller.
Category:Musical instrument accessories