More often than not, I get at least a couple of questions from people asking me stuff along the lines of “what base is that?” in the reviews so here’s a listing of all the bases I use in my photoshoots.
Bandai Action Base 1
This is Bandai’s Action Base that is ideally for 1/100 models (but it can used for all scale… not sure about PG ^^;). They also have a AB2 mainly for 1/144 and SD models. This base is VERY versatile as it has a wide range of articulation and adjustability. It comes with different crotch holders to fit different models but recently, Bandai is nice enough to include a more/less unique holder with the Gundam model. The action base is also like the most affordable of all the bases too; one AB cost roughly $6-8.
Personally, I don’t like the Action Base because the base is a dust magnet and the whole design just looks a bit busy. Too much going on. I really only use it for ACTION purposes (in photoshoots) but never for DISPLAY.
Hobby Base Model Situation Stand
There’s like a couple of brand names for this one and I’m not exactly sure which one is the right one ^^; (Yellow Submarine was one I think). Anyway, this is probably the toughest and sturdiest display base out there. The rod is STRONG and if you know your basic physics, it can balance ANY MG with ease… including the MG Nu Gundam. This is the stand you sometimes see in those fancy Japanese Gunpla sites like Wonder Excellence.
It doesn’t take effort to assemble the base. What’s nice is that the manufacturer also made sure to include cushions and rubber covers to prevent scratches to the model.
Full height is around 7.5″ (or around the height of MG Unicorn Destroy Mode). The really really bad part: The metal right is FIXED. I bought this thinking that the ring is adjustable or bendable but damn… I was wrong. Still, this is a nice display base and does what I need it to do most of the time. Cost around ~$10.
Mini MS Stand
A smaller, cheaper, yet more versatile version of the original base above… I guess. As the name might suggest, this one is only big enough for 1/144 or SD models.
Hmm… just realized I don’t have a photo of the completed base. Doesn’t matter. What’s cool about this base is that the base itself is hollow so you can store away extra weapons or hands inside. What’s also nice is that the rings are actually FLEXIBLE so you can bend it around the model’s waist ^^… of course, this base is not as sturdy as the big one but it does its job. I think about ~$5?
Hasegawa Display Stand
My display base of choice and easily my favorite for both display and action. It is simple, conservative, and clear so the focus is almost entirely on the model. There’s only one size and that’s the one on the right. The other is shorter because the pivot joint between the rods cracked ^^;. The base comes with two holders- the crotch holder pictured and… the other one is completely useless (it looks like a clip…sorta but not really).
One problem is that the bases are the most fragile out of the bunch. The joints can become loose or the cap between the two rods can crack (rare occasion… but it does happen). Articulation is limited as you need to find a balance with the model or the whole thing will tip over. This base is also not as sturdy nor strong as the other stands I use. While it can hold up regular MGs alright, you might feel a bit insecure about its balance and be cautious if it will tip over. The worst part is that the crotch holder is glued onto a separate socket piece that snaps on the top of the upper rod… this means if you accidentally use too much force, you can break off the holder and then you’ll be super gluing the parts back together. That is easy and all but the parts will forever remain even more fragile. I would know… I fixed both of mine once already. This base is also one of the more expensive bases with a price of ~$13-15.
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October 8, 2009 at 12:11 AM
I like it! The action base is becoming a little too bulky for me but I had no idea what kind/where to buy the stands you used.
Thanks Z!
I also wanted to be first :)
October 8, 2009 at 12:52 AM
[...] Display Stands [...]
October 8, 2009 at 3:15 AM
Alright, there’s not even one that suits me the best. Bandai’s base is a bit too big, the model situation ..err… (brand? ) is almost impossible to find at my place without going online and buy from hongkong, taiwan or Japan sites (since i don’t have a credit card yet, only use deposit method for online purchases). The Hasegawa’s stand looks fragile and i can imagine it breaks so easily when you place a MG kit on it.
October 8, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Broken holder, huh? I experienced it with my Bandai action base because it fell off during a photoshoot. These things sure are fragile, to make sure we buy the whole base again. ^^;
October 8, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Did you buy these locally or online? If you got em online, where did you get the ms stand model situation one?
October 8, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Just wanted to say I’m a recent fan and got inspired to build gunplas again.
Kudos for the great feature. I don’t think anyone has gone the mile of explaining the display stands, though I consider it quite essential. I think there’s an Action Base that comes in clear, so that might get you both the obscureness and sturdiness in one stone. Too bad it’s not as simple looking as Hasegawa’s…
October 9, 2009 at 2:11 PM
I always think that Bandai’s Action Base is too big…but it’s strong however, I use it for a long time display in my room :D
I personally like the Hasegawa stand. Simple and beautiful. It almost looks like a Figma Stand, isn’t it?
nice review, I don’t see many people do a review for the Action Base :D
October 9, 2009 at 6:47 PM
i bought the hasegawa stand after seeing how amazing your models looked displayed on it. the holder snapped at hirst touch… it’s so rigid. and yeah balance was a huge issue… glad it works for you though^^
action base 1 is perfect for posing.. though they need to make a perfectly clear one…
October 10, 2009 at 12:44 AM
500k, my friend actually bought those (all the MS stands) for me… but I think you can find them on HLJ. The action base you can pretty find on any sites that sell Gundam models. When in doubt, just check 1999.co.jp, hLJ, or rainbowten.
H4mster, in a way yea… it does look a bit like figma stands. Just different shape and fogged plastic.
Gundamotaku, at least you had to touch it to break it… mine came broken o_o
October 21, 2009 at 8:41 PM
just confirming is this stand the hasegawa gundam stand that u use in models?
http://www.hwjapan.com/sh/HAS71229.aspx
October 21, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Yup that is the one.
December 15, 2009 at 8:33 PM
hm, nice, but I dont have a clue as to where you get those other ones…
But heck, Bandai’s AB is pretty darn good. I mean they come in all shapes and colors, and best part is, you can connect them! It’s nice to have like 10 of them connected to make a mini-MS hanger for my models. The detail and sculpting is nice too. The only problem is that sometimes they don’t give u the right sized holder so it kinda retricts leg movement on some models.
December 15, 2009 at 11:46 PM
I got mine today from HLJ. Guess what, the holder (the croth-holder, as shown in your pics) got snapped off from its neck. :((
I can’t even try it yet. Need to superglued it. :((
December 16, 2009 at 12:08 PM
lelouch, hlj has ‘em.
takara, you referring to the hasegawa one? The same thing happened with one of mine. I have no idea why they couldn’t just mold it in one piece.
December 23, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Right Z, that Hasegawa one. But I manage to make a full use of another useless holder like you mentioned above. Here’s some pics:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y157/takarakugaking/1209/hase00.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y157/takarakugaking/1209/hase01.jpg
Just to make it here:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y157/takarakugaking/1209/ba00.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y157/takarakugaking/1209/ba01.jpg
December 24, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Ah. Is that connector from the clear action base? It looks pretty snug in holding the Gundam ^^. I just super glued the original holder back and take caution when using it.
June 6, 2010 at 8:28 PM
where can i get the large MS stand i see the mini MS stand in hobby search and hlj but nowhere do i see the larger one
where can i get one?
July 13, 2010 at 3:22 PM
A quick question, Z: I know you don’t prefer the Action Base stands, but I’m likely going to get one. Which should I go for? AB1 or AB2?
If some context helps, here’s some (which will not be so quick): After measuring a couple of my shelves, I think I can barely squeeze a 1/100 model attached to an AB1 on one of my shelves (one just over 15 inches/38.1 centimeters in height, above another that is an inch/around 3 cm shorter). Still, when displaying models or taking photos, it’s not bad to have them off the ground and stable. I have mostly 1/144 models, a GFF, and some MSiA (as already established for all of them), and I’ll finally, finally soon be getting an MG (thanks for the two cents in your e-mail, by the way). But given my circumstances described, what do you think I should go with?
July 13, 2010 at 4:34 PM
AB can’t support 1/100 models… that’s almost for certain (the base is just too short… and I’m not sure if the connectors fit as well). But since most of your stuff is of the 1/144 size then might as well grab a AB2. It takes less space anyway.
So… how did you manage to enter this page? I realized I haven’t link it from its parent directory yet >_>
July 14, 2010 at 1:17 PM
Z, I’m shocked! You forgot Google is your best friend? Did you renounce the friendship already? :P
Type in the search box (sans quote marks): “Stand site:gunpla-inochi.com. The search results will restrict the results to what’s found on the website itself. You can even possibly narrow it to specific pages.
Of course, one can also find the page via old or current bookmarks, their browsing history, etc. I remember you made a page on stands, so I wondered what happened to it, and voila!
I guess I’ll be getting the AB2 after all. You seemed to have treated the AB1 a bit better in the review above, but maybe I should re-read it… *shrug* My makeshift stand–a blank disc stack container (that I’m lucky can barely hold my GFF Wing without a fork or something for support);–and everything else, is practically a dust magnet, and while the AB1 may not hold the MG TAG well, maybe it could decently hold either WG (and/or others) when I eventually get them as well.