Considering Platinum Stages

Masked Loopy II started this discussion · 12/5/2010

I'm still on my quest to find a pole to use at home. Recently I found a stainless steel multi piece extreme pole with the 24" extension for $275 on craigslist. That sounds like a good deal to me because a new pole is $349, the extension is $30, and shipping would cost me $50 if I bought from platinum stages directly. I just wanted to hear any comments about this pole, good or bad, before I consider buying it. I'm assuming that there will be minor issues with my popcorn ceilings (i.e. smashing the popcorn or flaking some off). From past threads, it sounds like SS is one of the more slippery finishes. I also read in another thread, that the pin that changes the pole from static to spin can slip out. It seems no pole is without it's issues. Any input is appreciated. Thanks ☀️

14 replies

hookedonpole · 12/5/2010
I can't give input regarding this specific pole, however, I can comment on stainless steel from my experience. It is considered, and was, very slippery for me. I did have mine for over two years, then finally replaced in few months ago and glad I did. I went from ss to xpert titanium gold. It's much grippier and harder on body (for me anway) but it's better than dealing with ss. This is my experience, could be different for others.
Danielle Tillie · 12/5/2010
While stainless steel can be more slippery, it is not a completely unusable finish. Most of the poles I've danced on (aside from my own chrome X-pole) have been stainless steel, and I got used to it pretty quickly. Platinum Stages, unfortunately, has had some quality issues I've heard about recently. There is no locking system for the threads of their multiple-piece poles, therefore the pole pieces can start to twist apart if you spin in the opposite direction. Also, yes, the pin holding it static can come out. I don't think their floor to ceiling poles are going to fall down on you or anything, but there may be some frustrations. If we're gonna talk finishes, I'm going to mention my experience with chrome, because it is all I feel qualified to give advice about. Chrome is down the middle in terms of grippiness. It won't give you pole burn as easily as TG or brass, but it is possible. The only issue with the chrome finish is that, while it heats up quickly, it also holds the heat... almost a little too much. Meaning, my chrome pole will sometimes end up HOT, which causes the skin up against the pole to sweat a bit more. It's not a major problem for me, but it is notable. I actually love the chrome pole... but having only had experience with that and stainless steel, I have yet to compare the sensation of chrome to TG or brass. And that's my 2 cents worth. 🎅
AnjilsBaby · 12/5/2010
I personally have the SS one piece floor to ceiling pole from Platinum Stages, and yes the grip is slippery-er than the brass poles i use at the studio, but i personally wanted the slippiest finish cause if you can dance on the one that doesnt grip then you can obviously dance on the one that does 🙂 i will say, myself and everyone i pole with on it doesnt have much of an issue but it does take a few minutes to warm up and if you are off it for more than 5-10 min then you need to plan on rewarming it.
chemgoddess1 · 12/5/2010
I have used the multi piece pole and that is a great deal. The issue that englann is speaking of only is an issue with the Star Stand Alone stage pole and NOT the floor to ceiling pole. I have never had a pin fall out or pop out while in static mode. Again, this is an issue with the Star Stand Alone. As for it being slippery, yes, I have had issues with it but pretty much any finish is temperamental and you have to learn the conditions that make it work. As for stainless, I think PS probably has the best stainless poles out there. Lil Mynx ones are typically the worst. When looking at the pole: 1. Look at the ceiling dome and make sure it is not cracked 2. Make sure the pieces fit together properly. PS had a stint where the pieces would not completely fit together but that was a few years back 3. Make sure that when in static mode the pole does not have "play". There is a piece that fits into the bottom of the pole that can come loose giving the pole wiggle room. It is a fairly easy fix if you are crafty but you can ask for more money off the pole if this is the case. 4. Looks for deep scratches or dents
Masked Loopy II · 12/5/2010
Thanks everyone for the input thus far! @chemgoddess, thanks for your perspective specifically on the multi piece and your shopping tips. The pole sounds like a good value for what it is. I'll have to decide if I'm willing to get used to SS finish.
Danielle Tillie · 12/5/2010
Ooooohhh, my bad! Sorry about the mix-up there... and thanks for clarifying, chemmie!
verucablue · 12/5/2010
i have a multi piece PS and really like it
Mary Ellyn · 12/8/2010
I wish to add my opinion on the PS Extreme multi piece. I don't own one but danced on several of them recently. 1. Compared to chrome and compared to the PS one-piece poles, the ss on the Extreme is quite slippery. At my level, and being use to chrome I had a terrible time holding on. 2. The "chrome plated" base is a pain as your feet are constantly touched/walking/hitting it and it was all worn off 3. The slide cover has a sharp bottom edge under which I saw someone get their toe caught and ripped the skin open badly. 4. The slide cover at the base of the pole, which is about 8-10 inches high up from the floor, is approximately 1/4 inch thicker than the rest of the pole going up from there so you have a thick ridge sticking out which can hurt as you slide down the pole. If you want a good ss pole - http://www.PoleDanzer.com is in my opinion the best ss finish out there. So close to chrome I barely notice the difference. However this pole is not mass produced so it's more expensive and doesn't have the nicer features like a finsihed ceiling plate or slide cover for the adjuster rod. It's also a great pole if you want a multi-piece brass...until Xpole comes out with theirs. There also isn't a joint issue as there is no XJoint type of connection nor a threaded connection - it's a slide together male/female connection.
amy · 12/8/2010
hm... if you've never tried a PS pole i would recommend you take a spin on one if you can. just want to put out there that the way that your body handles different finishes and types of poles is completely individual. i've danced (warm) on a (warm) poledanzer pole and found it to be as slippery as a lil mynx stainless-- i could barely stay on the pole. i recently bought a PS extreme pole for a photo shoot, and found that the finish was perfect for me and my body chemistry straight out of the box, while chrome xpoles (to ME) are very slippery and i actually dislike brass. i'm not sure what the naming difference is, but platinum stages' multipiece pole USED to be made with the thread and adjustment at the top, instead of at the bottom as it is now and as Empyrean mentioned, the new ones do have the adjuster cover at the bottom that can be somewhat annoying especially for handsprings and cartwheels. i would definitely agree with Chem-- make sure that you see that all the pieces screw together properly, since PS is notorious for having less than stellar quality control. i would actually recommend that you ask for the pole to be up when you get there and taken down in your presence, since sometimes the pieces seem to screw together fine but are not quite seated properly-- it ends up putting a lot of movement in the pole-- it will have some lateral "give" in it.
Masked Loopy II · 12/10/2010
Update: I took amyxshi's advice to ask that the pole be up when I see it and the seller agreed. Maybe this means she isn't trying to hide anything (i.e. loose parts, ill-fitting pieces). I plan to go look at it on Saturday. My sister-in-law recently informed me that she has a PS multi piece and likes it, so that made me more hopeful that I might be content with getting that style of pole.
tarah · 12/11/2010
Hi Loopy 🤸 I'm glad to hear you are going to be able to look at the pole (and hopefully try it a little) before purchasing. I have the platinum stages one piece extreme super pole, and I am happy with it. I don't find it too slippery at all. however if you plan on taking it down frequently I would not recommend it 'cause it's not a quick or easy process. I leave mine up all the time so it's not an issue for me. let me know if you have any other questions. as far as the multi-piece one, I have no experience with that. 🐱
Masked Loopy II · 12/11/2010
Well, I just bought the pole. The woman had it up for me to try and showed me exactly how to take it up and down. The pieces fit together fine and she threw in some extra items, like extra pins, grip aid, and a stud finder. I tried spinning and static mode and the pole felt very solid and didn't seem to have much give to it. She said she bought it a couple years ago and it's the model with the threading at the top, so I'm not going to have any bottom adjuster cover annoyances. The finish is slippier than what I'm used to because I've been learning on brass poles at the studio. However, I think that I would like to have experience with a different finish. I'm sure I'll have more to say about it in the weeks and months to come.
tarah · 12/11/2010
Yay!! 🥂 congratulations on your new pole! It sounds like you got a great deal. I hope you will get used to the "slippery" feeling. I have always used stainless steel so if I tried a brass pole I would probably just stick to it, lol 🐱
chemgoddess1 · 12/11/2010
YAY!! I am sure that the previous owner is happy that her pole is going to someone who will lovingly use it, too!