Feel free to contact me:  
Phone 714-422-7777
Email: DMc4281@Yahoo.com

 ​McNutt Bass and Cello Cradles 
Directions and Limited Warranty
(These Directions and Limited Warranty apply only to Cradles purchased directly from  Dennis McNutt)

Owners of McNutt Cradles purchased directly from McNutt must carefully read and follow these Operating Directions.  They must also fully instruct any other persons using their Cradles. Although McNutt Cradles are easy to use and are designed to support a wide variety of instruments safely for many years, improper use can lead to a damaged instrument. Furthermore, as double basses and cellos exist in a great variety of shapes and sizes (such as violin, gamba, busetto, cornerless) and with non-traditional endpins, McNutt Cradles cannot guarantee that any specific instrument will work safely with a McNutt Cradle. The Cradle requires a 30” minimum height from the floor to the top of the C-bout measured with the instrument standing vertically on its extended endpin. 

NOTE: The owner is responsible to assure that any given bass will rest securely on his or her Cradle. 

THEREFORE, McNutt Cradles for Bass and Cello are sold with no express or implied warranties.

Five Don’ts! 

Don’t use the Cradle while the instrument is still in its bag. The instrument may be unstable. 

Don’t use the Cradle without extending the instrument’s endpin. The instrument will be unstable. 

Don’t use a cornerless style instrument with a McNutt Cradle. The instrument will be unstable.

Don’t use an instrument with a bent or angled endpin with a McNutt Cradle. The instrument will be unstable. For modifications, see:

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YIkmMgJAPU

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mypp7qWiq5o

Don't ​simply lean your instrument onto the Cradle. You might not adequately connect it to the Cradle, which may slide out from under the instrument.


Three Safety Recommendations

 The Cradle works so well that a user can become complacent about following all the instructions herein. So when using the Cradle be mindful.

Always carefully place your instrument on the Cradle.

​Slightly lift your instrument onto the Cradle, making sure that the C-bout hooks securely over the lower supporting arm.

When leaving an instrument on the Cradle you will greatly increase its safety by placing a music stand, stool or other obstruction at each end of the instrument. This will cause others to detour around your instrument.

SPECIAL CAUTION!  When using the Cradle​ on a hard floor you must be absolutely certain to hook the C-bout properly over the lower supporting arm.  If your fail to do this the Cradle may slip out from under the instrument, dropping it to the floor.

                                                               Safely Using the Gigger's  Cradle 

(These instructions may seem unduly burdensome, but with just a few minutes of practice you will find it takes only a few seconds to rest your instrument properly on the Cradle.) 

Keep the instrument endpin extended when using the Cradle! This allows the instrument to settle into the Cradle arms at the proper angle for safety. This also makes for convenience and raises the instrument edges off the floor. 

1. When you first spread the legs of the metal Cradle notice that each brace hooks onto a corresponding protruding

machine screw on only one other leg. Extend the legs and connect each brace to its corresponding machine screw, pressing the brace down firmly to assure a secure connection.  Make certain that each brace is properly connected and remains connected.

2.  When placing an instrument on the Cradle make certain that the upper section of the instrument’s C-bout lies across the shorter/lower of the two cradle arms. The C-bout must rest at a 90-degree angle to the arm, and must extend well over the arm. 

3. Once your instrument is on the Cradle you should assure that the instrument is properly oriented to the Cradle. 

4. Make sure that the back of the instrument rests flat against the tall cradle arm.               

5. While holding the bass securely, gently balance the instrument on the supporting Cradle arm by tilting the neck of the instrument toward the floor. Allow the instrument to settle into a stable position.                          

6. While holding your instrument, gently waggle it on the Cradle. You will readily feel if the instrument is properly aligned with the Cradle. If any instability is detected, immediately remove the instrument from the Cradle. 

A tip:  Its light weight makes it much easier to bring the Cradle to the instrument rather than carrying the instrument to the Cradle. 

Another tip: When using the Cradle fold the bag and place it across the braces.​

                                                                     Safely Using the Luxury Cradle 

(These instructions may seem unduly burdensome, but with just a few minutes of practice you will find it takes only a few seconds to place your instrument properly in the Cradle.) 

Keep the instrument endpin extended when using the Cradle! This allows the instrument to settle into the Cradle arms at the proper angle for safety. This also makes for convenience and raises the instrument edges off the floor. 

Basses having C-bout depths measuring 8 1/2” or less fit readily on the Luxury Cradle. C-bouts measuring up to 8 3/4” will fit a bit snugly on the lower supporting arm. In time the leather and foam padding will compress and may provide a good fit. The user will need to determine if this snugness is acceptable. Basses with  C-bout measurements over 8 3/4” will not fit properly and are not recommended. Commercial models should accommodate basses with thickness up to 9 1/4".

1.  Spread the supporting leg until the nylon belt is pulled tight. 

2.  Always make sure that the nylon belt is pulled tight whenever an instrument is resting on the Cradle. Improperly placing an instrument on the Cradle can cause the leg to collapse toward the body, leading to an unstable Cradle. The distance as measured on the floor between the main body and the foot of the Cradle must not be less than 16”/41cm. 

3.  The height and angle of the cradle arms may be adjusted to accommodate instruments and players of various sizes. Change the length of the nylon belt by depressing the locking cam lever and then adjust the belt to the desired length. 

4.  Keep the Cradle foot spread as wide as possible to assure stability. 

5.  When placing an instrument on the Cradle make certain that the upper section of the instrument’s C-bout lies across the lower cradle arm. The C-bout must rest at a 90-degree angle to the arm, and must extend well over the arm. 

6.  Once your instrument is on the Cradle you should assure that the instrument is properly oriented on the Cradle. To do this:
    —Make certain that the back of the instrument rests flat against the tall cradle arm.          
    —Tilt the neck of the instrument toward the floor so that the instrument’s entire weight rests on the lower supporting arm.  Allow the instrument to settle into a stable position. 

    —While securely holding your instrument, gently waggle it on the Cradle. You will readily feel if the instrument is properly aligned with the Cradle.  If any instability exists, immediately remove the instrument from the Cradle. 

7.  The Luxury Cradle arms are covered in high quality leather that over time could possibly react with certain instrument finishes. So for protection place a soft cloth over the Cradle arms.