Manhasset FourScore Folder (Model 1650) Product Review: A Must-Have Accessory

Manhasset FourScore Folder (Model 1650) Closed

Introduction: Over the past 75+ years, Manhasset has become synonymous with big, sturdy, black music stands that last a lifetime.  The one I used as a child currently graces my teaching studio.  Day after day, it supports the weight of several thick music books without a hitch.

Manhasset Fourscore Stand

Standard-width music stands are perfect for displaying two and up to three pages of music at once.  But viewing four pages generally requires an extended-width stand.  In the past, when I have needed to display four pages at once, I have used Manhasset's Fourscore Stand (pictured right), which features a solid one-piece desk. The FourScore stand is a very handy stand -- especially if it does not need to be moved or transported frequently.  However, I have always wanted a light and transportable four-page option that I could use for gigs and performances.

Enter the subject of this review, the Manhasset Model 1650 FourScore Folder, the perfect portable four-page solution for the working musician.

Manhasset FourScore Inside View

Features:  The FourScore Folder extends the width of any music stand to 34 inches, which is wide enough for four pages of music to be viewed at once with no overlap.  It unfolds in two directions -- vertically, to provide width, and horizontally at the bottom, to provide a lip.  For storage or transport, it folds neatly to 1/3 of its full width.  An elastic security band wraps around the back of the music stand, which secures the folder in place.

As shown in the picture at left, the Fourscore also has three clear vinyl panels on the inside that can be used to keep single pages secure indoors or out, along with a sturdy, wide lip that runs the length of the folder.  The outside features a small vinyl pocket for identification.

FourScore Folder Piled High

Fit and Finish: Constructed from heat-sealed class 100 vinyl with 80 pt. chipboard core, the FourScore Folder feels sturdy, secure, and well-made.  It has a professional feel and look, inside and out.  To assess the folder's strength and durability, we loaded the full width of the folder with heavy music books along with a full ream of copy paper on one side, to test for tipping or balance problems due to uneven weight distribution. Initially, the folder withstood the load without any tipping or shifting.  But how would it fare after supporting such a heavy load for five days straight?  For the FourScore Folder, it was no problem at all.  Five days later, everything was still in place.

Ease of Use:  Setting up this folder is as simple as opening the trifold and moving the elastic strip from the inside to the outside so that it can fit over the desk of the stand.  There is no other assembly required, and is very easy to use -- setup takes just a few seconds.  Removing the folder from the stand and closing it back up is equally simple and quick (as long as you remember to unfold the lip).

Pricing:  The FourScore Folder is available online and priced at around $10-$15 from several major retailers including Amazon.com, The Woodwind and Brasswind, and J.W. Pepper.

Conclusion:  The Manhasset FourScore Folder (Model 1650) is, simply put, a must-have accessory for the working musician who needs a portable extended-width stand.  From allowing two players to read off the same stand, to setting up four pages of music without any page-turns for a gig or performance, to keeping loose sheets of music secure, this folder is an elegant and functional portable solution and we give it our Simply Violin Stamp of Approval.