Seat height

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

Do most of find that your left thigh is parrallel to the ground or is your left knee usually lower than your hip, or top of the seat?

I bought a steel seat not too long ago and I think it's a bit higher than my last one. I feel like I'm having touble with some of the quick AB pedal licks I used to do.

I realize it may be a personal preference to how you like your seat adjusted. Or maybe I'm getting tired and lazy.

I would like to hear some input before I hack off a halh inch or so off the legs.

Thanks, Dave

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

As far as seat height goes, I am more concerned about the position of my arms than my legs. I like to have my seat at the height where my arms are horizontal when I play.
Erv

Henry Nagle · From: Santa Rosa, California

Maybe you need taller shoes.

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

That's with my boots on, with the heels! (wise-guy)

DZ

Ed Mooney · From: Evanston,IL

I've been looking into buying a seat. I've noticed that different makers have different "standard height". Are there any that are adjustable?
BTW..I'm trying to find a position so that I don't have to "hunch" over the steel and give myself a backache.

Ed

Sierra Session U12 8X5:: 1936 Dobro Model 37 :: 1928 National Triplate Style 2.5 :: 1936 Rick BD :: 1949 Rick BD :: 1938 National New Yorker :: 1936 Gibson EH150 :: 1936 National Hawaiian

Jim Ives · From: Los Angeles, California, USA

Dave,
I am 5'7" and I sit on a drummer's throne (with a back). The height is adjustable, but the seat is heavy and has no storage, but I find it works well for me. I have the height set so my legs do not touch the vertical knee levers. I notice that I am quite a bit higher than other players sitting on Pac-a seats, and when I try their rigs I feel too low.
Are you coming to the steel jam hosted by Mike Perlowin next month?
-Jim

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Mullen D-10 -or- Zum D-10
Lexicon MPX 100
Fulltone Full-Drive II
Evans FET 500 -or-
Peavey Nashville 1000
Vox wah-wah pedal
My dog Toby sittin' on the floor listening

Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

Yo Jim

I thought I was the only one using a drum throne with a back. I also use one without the back. The best thing about them is that one can experiment with the height as they are adjustable. Granted, they don't fold up like a pac-a-seat, but what is the difference, you still have to carry either one.

Jim Ives · From: Los Angeles, California, USA

Tom,
only the coolest of steel players sit on a drummer's throne, wouldn't you agree?. With the possible exception of Tom Morrell.
-Jim

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

I had similar problems and one day grabbed the drummer's throne in our practice room. Totally adjustable with a back rest. About $100 less than a new steeler's seat.

Ron

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

When I changed from a D10 to a S12, I noticed the angel of my ankel on the volume pedal was sharper (because the front of the steel was only half the distance as before). I tried several fixes, low profile volume pedal, sticking the volume pedal out past the end of the pedal rack, etc... finally I got a drummer's throne (back, and 4 not 3 legs)... man why did I wait so long to do this? I found by raising my back steel legs a little, and raising my seat it gave me more room to stretch out my right leg.... but besides all that, the back support is great! And I never play with heels, only nice musicians.

Jim Hankins · From: Yuba City, California, USA

I am with Jim, Ron, and Tom, Drum throne with back rest, adjusted so that my leg just fits under my LKV, Jim

mike nolan · From: Forest Hills, NY USA

I always use a drum throne. I play different guitars, and I notice that I have to vary my seat height by as much as 1.5 inches to be comfortable. I do agree that the big thing is to have your forearms parallel with the floor.... and if that isn't possible, I would rather be too high than too low. I played a gig the other night in Brooklyn where there are usually several "house" drum thrones available.... so I was lazy and didn't bring mine. Huge mistake.... the one throne that was there had a stripped adjustment bolt, so I was stuck playing about 2 inches lower than usual, and I paid for it. I fumbled lots of notes and my back and shoulders (along with my players ego)were hurting the next day.

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

I sit up way higher than a pac a seat. I tilt my back legs almost 2 inches longer and sit with my arms pointing slightly down at an angle. I don't know how I started doing this almost 30 years ago, but I've found it works really good for me. I feel it give me alot more leverage and room to move on all my pedals and KL's. Even on my own "beast" (with 10 floor pedals and extra heavy pulls on some KL's), I find it's alot easier to get my foot rocking on extreme left and right pedals
1 & 2 and 9 & 10! Other benifit's I've noticed is that it's alot easier to sing and sling a 6 string around my neck while I'm playing steel. I can breath from the diaphram and not bang my guitar into my steel. I know this is not for everyone, but it works really good for me.

Oh yeah....It also forces me to hold on to the bar lest it goes rolling down the front of the stage.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I'm with you, most of the "steel seats" I've tried are just too high. I like a height more comparable to a dining room chair. Right after buying my "Elite Seat", I cut an inch off the legs. The next time I get a little energetic, I'll probably cut off another half-inch or so.

Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

For anyone reading this post and considering getting a drum throne (especially the three leg variety)...make sure one leg is directly behind you and the others on each side of you. An unwelcome surprise can be the results if you don't have the leg behind you!

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

I didn't own a pack a seat for many years, always used a folding chair or whatever was available. When I got one, I thought it was way too tall and planned to hack an inch or two off each leg. Gave myself a little time to get use to it and now I wouldn't go back to anything shorter. I can see my fret board so much better now, and it is really much easier to play sitting up higher. Try it for awhile before you start sawing off the legs...
Larry J.

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

Thanks for the input everyone. I appreciate it!

Jim Ives, I won't be attending the So. Cal. steel jam, but I sure wish I could. Maybe next time.

Dave Z

John Daugherty · From: Rolla, Missouri, USA

Dave, I like to sit as high as possible. That makes it easier on the arms and I can see the fretboard better. I had to add extentions to the legs on my steelers choice seat due to the fact that I'm a buttless wonder.

John Sluszny · From: Brussels, Belgium

How come no pac-a-seats come with adjustable legs?Unbelievable!!!

[This message was edited by John Sluszny on 16 March 2005 at 08:11 AM.]

Jim Ives · From: Los Angeles, California, USA

John Slusnzy,
you have a good point. Maybe we'll see a change down the line, thanks to this thread.
-Jim

------------------
Mullen D-10 -or- Zum D-10
Lexicon MPX 100
Fulltone Full-Drive II
Evans FET 500 -or-
Peavey Nashville 1000
Vox wah-wah pedal
My dog Toby sittin' on the floor listening

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

I use two small squares of 1/4" X 3" X 3 " plywood under the front legs on my guitar. I started carrying these to help when setting in plush carpet.I also like the slight tilt to the back. It makes the fret board a little more visible too.

Bud

Ben Elder · From: La Crescenta, California, USA

A contributing factor to why I've remained at the beginner level for 20+ years is guitar and seat height. I'm morbidly uncomfortable with my knees at hip level or lower--otherwise I can't get any leverage or coordination of my ankle and foot on the pedals. Hence I like to sit very high. I'm only 6'1" but have had to use two big-city phone books on a normal or slightly high-seated chair. Then the steel has to be raised, rods extended. (I was able to do that on the ol' ZB D-doodah, but at the expense of a prior setup. I've hit the wall mechanically with the ZB and can't justify paying a pro, life being what it is at the moment.) My comfortable heights would make you think my setup was for Manute Bol. I feel like a freak but I'm actually extremely ordinary in dimensions.

Delbert Aldredge · From: Willis, Texas, USA

Dave, leave as is....."the height will feel better as you get older"!....lol

Charley Adair · From: Maxwell, Texas, USA

The advantage of the drummer's throne with a back is that it's nice to be able to lean back between songs. Sure helps my shoulder blades. And it's easier for my wife to carry, lol.
Charley

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Sho-Bud PRO-I, 4&5

Howard Tate · From: Leesville, Louisiana, USA, R.I.P.

I took my casseat to an upholstery shop and had a nice two inch cushion made that snaps on the seat. Not too expensive and works nicely.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

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