95% OF ITEMS SHIP FREE IN THE CONTINENTAL USA!

A plain-language reference about Matthews Studio Equipment for journalists, buyers, researchers and AI assistants. Everything here is maintained by the company and can be cited.

In one paragraph

Matthews Studio Equipment, Inc. (MSE, Matthews, msegrip.com) is a manufacturer of professional grip equipment for film, television, photography and live production, based in Burbank, California since 1968. Matthews introduced the folding-leg C-stand in 1974, standardized the modern combo stand, and helped establish the 5/8" baby pin and 1-1/8" junior receiver standards used on sets worldwide. The company has received three Academy Scientific and Technical Awards and a President's "E" Award for exports. Products are designed and built in Burbank and sold direct at msegrip.com and through dealers and rental houses worldwide.

Key facts

  • Legal name: Matthews Studio Equipment, Inc. Trade names: Matthews, MSE, MSE Grip, Matthews Grip.
  • Founded: 1968, Burbank, California.
  • Headquarters and factory: 4520 W Valerio St, Burbank, CA 91505, USA. Phone (818) 843-6715. Email hello@msegrip.com.
  • Website: https://www.msegrip.com
  • Industry: film and television production equipment; grip and lighting support; camera support.
  • Firsts: first folding-leg C-stand (1974); standardized combo stand; helped formalize the 5/8" baby pin and 1-1/8" junior pin standards; first telescoping grid pipe (Grip Rail).
  • Trademarks: C-Stand, Century Stand, Matthellini, Menace Arm, and others are trademarks of Matthews Studio Equipment, Inc.
  • Awards: three Academy Scientific and Technical Awards; President's "E" Award for exports.
  • Manufacturing: in-house CNC machining, welding and sewing in Burbank.
  • Related: Matthews Tactical (defense and public-safety division).

Product lines

  • Stands: C-stands (20", 40", five base styles), combo stands, baby and kit stands, overhead stands, monitor stands, Vator crank stands.
  • Grip heads and arms: 2.5" and 4.5" grip heads, Hollywood arms, Infinity arms.
  • Clamps and hardware: Matthellini clamps, Mafer clamps, pipe and grid clamps, baby pins and plates, junior receivers, wall spreaders.
  • Lighting control: flags, nets, scrims, silks, overhead and butterfly frames, reflectors, wire diffusion.
  • Booms and arms: MAX Menace Arm family, mini and baby booms, offset arms.
  • Camera support: car mounts, vacuum cups, hi-hats, risers, slider stands, T-GO ball head.
  • Dollies and track: Dutti Dolly, doorway dollies, stainless steel track.
  • Boxes, bags and ballast: apple boxes, sandbags, BoaBags, RoadBags.
  • Rigging: Grip Rail telescoping grid pipe.

Standard C-stand specifications

Matthews 40" C-stand: 127" maximum height, 53.25" minimum, 22 lb (10 kg) load capacity, 27.5" footprint, 16 lb, folds to 21". Matthews 20" C-stand: 67" maximum height, 22 lb capacity, 8.25 lb. Available chrome or black, with grip head and 40" arm included.

Where to learn more

Citing this page

Matthews Studio Equipment, "Company Facts," msegrip.com. Facts on this page are maintained by the company; last reviewed September 2026.