New Pedal-Pusher: Seating Questions

Rick Stratton · From: Tujunga, California, USA

Hi Everyone, & Happy New Year!
I've just recently (5 weeks ago) come over to the dark-side after playing non-pedal for the last 3 years.
This forum is such a great learning tool!
As I did with straight steel, I'm constantly browsing past posts to familiarize myself with the jargon and get a feel for what's going on with this instrument.
What started out sounding like an alien language is now starting to make a lot of sense!
I have a SD-10 Sho-Bud clone I got from Jim Flynn. 3+4. E9.
My current set-up with my new band is: the Sho-Bud, a Fender Dual-Pro-8/ A6/E6 (hi-G#), 6-string Supro-lap (Open-E), and regular guitar.
I'm using a medium size office chair (no arms) & the height is perfect. Since it swivels and is on wheels, I'm able to switch between guitars very easily. I think it even makes using the E & F levers better as I can swivel into them.
Is this a poor technique? I notice most of you steelers use a stationary seat of some kind. Is there a big advantage?
I have the 2 steels set-up in an L-shape. Switching instruments with a stationary seat would require standing and repositioning it every time. Kinda clumsy.
How do you other "utility players" deal with it?
Thanks in advance!
Rick

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

Welcome to Pedals and Levers!
I use a swiveling office chair (with arms) here in the computer room at the house where I have a Pedal Steel set up, and I have to say it is kinda fun to swivel into the Knee Levers. It adds a bit of a kinetic feeling to the motion.
I've never brought a swiveling chair to a gig though.
I think most guys use the pac-a-seat method in the 19" height range (it's a Pedal Steel Player thing). The advantage being it holds all your gig stuff (cords/pedals/strings/etc).
When I played both Steel and Guitar on gigs I just slid the seat back towards the amp, and stood where the seat was. I used the same boom mic for both steel and guitar.
I never had two steels set up in an L shape on a gig, but rolling sounds do-able if there's no cords or other blocking objects.

Rick Stratton · From: Tujunga, California, USA

Thanks for the quick reply Pete!
I've tried to arrange our sets (10 songs each) so that I can change guitars between sets. That should make it less awkward scooting the chair around.
I'm trying to decide on either the pac-a-seat style or the roc-soc kind of swivel throne (with back) for gig work.
Do you get better control with a stationary seat?
The average 20" height of the pac-a-seats seems about right for me.

Jack Aldrich · From: Washington, USA

I play pedal steel, lap steel and keyboards on gigs, and I've been using a drum throne for a long time. It's padded, adjustable, and, when broken down, fits in the suitcase I use as an effects bag. I got the idea when I was playing in the bar band (The New Radio Cowboys) at the Stevenson, WA bluegrass festival and dicovered that I had left my swivel chair back in Seattle. The drummer from the other band (a swing band) lent me her (yes, her!) throne. I became an instant convert! - Jack

Rick Stratton · From: Tujunga, California, USA

Thanks John.
Does your throne have the wheeled base, or stationary fold-up legs?

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

Rick,

I come at it the other direction. I started with a drum throne, and then went to a pac-a-seat. I'll never go back!

My pac-a-seat is a simple lightweight model, and will hold one volume pedal, a couple effects pedals and all cords, wall warts, strings, tools, etc.

I suppose you probably already have travel case for all your accesories, but for me it's one less thing to carry in and out to wherever we end up.

Have fun! (I assume from your avatar you're no stranger to fun).

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I only have a thought on swiveling to hit the levers: generally, technique evolves to enhance ergonomics and economy of effort. Swiveling a hundred pound torso to move a knee lever sounds horribly inefficient.
That said, I've seen video of me at play, and at times my torso looks like Eddie Murphy's caricature of Stevie Wonder, as I basically dance from the waist up
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

Jarek Anderson · From: Ontario, Canada

Hey Rick,

I'm not gigging out a whole lot at the moment, but I have been reheasring and recording a lot lately... lots of switching back and forth from different instruments. I've been using this with great success:

http://www.gibraltarhardware.com/?fa=detail&mid=1177&sid=691&cid=37

You can tighten the seat to the frame enough that you can pick it up as one piece, but loose enough that you are able to swivel. I like the adjustability, and that it breaks down as someone else mentioned earlier. I've already got a 'gig' bag for cables and such, and a guitar rig; so my steel is only adding minimal gear to the car for gigs.

Best of luck with your new venture!

-Jarek

Jack Aldrich · From: Washington, USA

Jack Aldrich · From: Washington, USA

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Rick Stratton · From: Tujunga, California, USA

Thanks for all the replies!
I guess the consensus is "whatever works"?
I'll have to keep experimenting.

Jarek Anderson · From: Ontario, Canada

Jeff Watson · From: Anza, CA. USA

There was another discussion about thrones recently and some players were wondering if the swiveling of the seat was a problem in operating the pedal/levers. The opposite is true for me.
As a long time throne (roc n soc) user I also think being able to SLIGHTLY adjust my seated position to make a pedal/lever move more natural/comfortable/easier goes a long way toward making me and my guitar feel like one.
When I switch to other instruments, I lift & scoot the throne back a couple of inches and then have plenty of room to swivel 360.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I would just use 2 thrones or pak-a-seats and move from one to the other if there wasn't a limit on time to get from one to the other. I think a stool on wheels might take as much effort to relocate from to the other as just getting up and moving.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

Rick Stratton · From: Tujunga, California, USA

Jeff Watson said:
"I also think being able to SLIGHTLY adjust my seated position to make a pedal/lever move more natural/comfortable/easier goes a long way toward making me and my guitar feel like one."
I think that's my feeling too, Jeff
It's not like I'm going to be spinning around or anything!
My LKR (lowering E's) seems to be a longer throw, and swiveling into it seems easier on the thigh muscle. I've also been holding it in for B6 tuning so I can play some of the Western Swing stuff I learned on non-pedal.
I'll have to make a trip to a GC and try out a roc & soc.
I like the idea of being able to get the height right for me.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

George McCann · From: Maui, USA

Anyone who has seen Robert Randolph preform knows he sits on a broken down wooden chair held together with dry wall screws and duck tape. There is a u tube video of his interview with Guiter magazine that has him show off his giggin rig. To each his own...

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic