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Topic: "Standard" Seat Height? |
Bob Snelgrove
From:
san jose, ca
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Posted 14 Mar 2022 4:54 pm |
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What is the standard seat height for modern "pak a seats"?
I'm sitting on 40 year old Sho-Bud seats that bottom out on the cushion. I'm only 5'6 and wonder if a modern seat might make things more comfy?
Do the steeler's choice, etc use a firmer foam that doesn't bottom out when you sit on it? I weigh about 155 if that matters.
thx
bob |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 14 Mar 2022 7:13 pm
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Recent discussion - https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=378246
I'd say around 21", plus or minus, would be typical - when I've looked at seats, that was sorta where they lined up - way too short for me. I have the reverse problem to you - tall and have always used a drum throne that sits around 24-25". Steel seat legs for me would have to be adjustable and able to telescope down to properly fold under the seat.
At 5'6", you might possibly want something a bit shorter than standard. But everybody is different - the length of the legs, especially from the bottom of the foot to the top of the knee, are critical. I would figure out exactly what height you want and then go to the makers and get that.
Some of the commercial seats claim to use pretty firm material - you'll have to look up particulars on that. |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 14 Mar 2022 9:39 pm
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Comfort of a steel guitar seat is very important. Takes a lot seat time to learn and practice, Then get hired by a band and now its comfort to work.
Proper height is important, You want your heels to set firm on the floor to act as a pivot point for moving from AB pedals to BC pedals with left foot, Also weight on heels allows better control of knee levers. And control of volume pedal and knee levers on right leg. Revere if left handed.
Even high density gray foam will go flat over years of use. If you have a good foam/fabric shop or upholstery shop local they may have new high density foam to re-foam the seat.
Get your seat comfortable and Happy Steelin. |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 14 Mar 2022 11:34 pm
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I'm sure that as a general principle the thigh bones should be horizontal, so the crucial dimension is the length of your lower leg. Overall height can be misleading - some tall people have long legs and average backs, others long backs, and vice versa and so on.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 15 Mar 2022 1:50 am
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| Quote: |
| I'm sure that as a general principle the thigh bones should be horizontal, ... |
I think that principle varies somewhat, depending on the person and the steel. The top part of my legs are long enough that, for most steels, my thigh makes a slight positive angle with horizontal plane parallel to the floor. This is to get my left foot comfortably flat on the floor and my knees in the correct position to the pedals and levers. And I've seen some players slightly reversed. |
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Andrew Goulet
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Posted 15 Mar 2022 4:53 am
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My wife recently gave me a Roc-a-Soc drum throne, and after some adjustments, I realized that I've been sitting too low for years. For me, it's a balance between then angle of my forearms/wrists and the angle of my thigh. I've got a good height now where my arms are at a 90 degree angle (with no significant bending of my wrists), and my thighs are angled slightly downwards.
Once I started sitting a little higher, I suddenly had some much more control of my right hand and the bar. My intonations has improved and I can play much longer without getting fatigued. It's really been a game-changer. So I recommend getting an adjustable seat and trying out different heights.
_________________
Marlen S12 and a ZT Club |
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Bob Snelgrove
From:
san jose, ca
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Posted 15 Mar 2022 7:01 am
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| Andrew Goulet wrote: |
My wife recently gave me a Roc-a-Soc drum throne, and after some adjustments, I realized that I've been sitting too low for years. For me, it's a balance between then angle of my forearms/wrists and the angle of my thigh. I've got a good height now where my arms are at a 90 degree angle (with no significant bending of my wrists), and my thighs are angled slightly downwards.
Once I started sitting a little higher, I suddenly had some much more control of my right hand and the bar. My intonations has improved and I can play much longer without getting fatigued. It's really been a game-changer. So I recommend getting an adjustable seat and trying out different heights. |
How tall are you? Doesn't the drum throne swivel?
bob |
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Andrew Goulet
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Posted 15 Mar 2022 8:53 am
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I'm 5'8". The throne does swivel, and I thought that might be a problem at first, but so far it hasn't been an issue at all. I've spent a lot of time making my pedals and levers as ergonomic and easy as possible, so I'm never "reaching" for anything.
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Marlen S12 and a ZT Club |
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