The Hangman is an invention that turns your guitar case into a guitar stand. The Hangman looks like a model of the Stealth Bomber with a sleek, neo-modern design that is unlike anything on the market - and it works unlike anything else on the market. The patent is pending.

The Hangman is placed at the top of an opened, rectangular guitar case, which should be in a standing, upright position. The neck of the guitar is placed into the cresent holder which allows the guitar to hang by its neck. No wonder it's called The Hangman.

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL

The Hangman can be used with virtually any guitar and rectangular case. It will also work with bass guitars. The Hangman is one-piece. It fits right into the case so there's no need to carry extra items to the gig or rehearsal. There are no pieces to lose or break. It's solid and sturdy. Nothing to sag, warp, rust or bend. It also serves as a mini-table to hold your tuner, picks, slide or a couple of beverages. The Hangman in virtually indestructible and with normal use will last a lifetime.

Not only is The Hangman an incredibly practical invention but it also makes an excellent display. The plush-lined guitar case highlights the guitar from both sides, making an eye-catching showpiece which is great for onstage or an in-store display. Guitar players no longer have to hide their cases, and even if the outside of the case is old and worn, only the plush-lined interior is displayed.

THE INVENTOR

Cole Smith, age 45, of Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Canada, invented The Hangman in the winter of 2004. He says it was too cold to go out to the garage and make a prototype at the exact moment of inspiration - so he waited until the spring. He knew what he wanted and when he finally made one he knew he had something on his hands - besides sawdust.

Smith, a semi-professional guitarist and videogame journalist, tested the prototype on the road for over a year and claims that it passed with flying colors.

He formed Vision Pop Entertainment and began selling The Hangman over the Internet while advertising in various guitar magazines including Guitar Player, Guitar World and Guitar One. Recently The Hangman was exhibited at the NAMM Winter Trade Show in Anaheim, Ca., where it was very well received. Many celebrities and retailers stopped by the booth to get a better look at this unusual concept.

"The Hangman works amazingly well," says Smith. "I use it on every gig. It sets up in seconds. The comments I get from other musicians and industry insiders are very encouraging. A few of these devices onstage make an excellent and inexpensive backline. Music stores are using The Hangman to display both guitars and cases as one package."

"This is one of those inventions that people say, "Why didn't someone think of this before?"

"Sales are starting to climb. We have an estimated market of 20 million rectangular cases out there in North America that can be retro-fitted with The Hangman."

The Hangman is available online at www.visionpop.com and in select retail stores.