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Post new topic Steeler's Choice: To sidekick or not to sidekick
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Steelers Choice Sidekick or Easy Rider
Sidekick
52%
 52%  [ 22 ]
Easy Rider (No Sidekick)
47%
 47%  [ 20 ]
Total Votes : 42

Author Topic:  Steeler's Choice: To sidekick or not to sidekick
Eric Long


From:
Bay Area, California, USA
Post  Posted 12 May 2022 12:16 pm    
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I'm going to order a new steeler's choice and I'm curious how many of you have had a sidekick and found it to be just to big/heavy? I'll be using it regularly for gigs so it won't just live at home. I'm young so the weight isn't as huge of an issue as the size is.

On one hand, I love the idea of having an accessible storage space while I am seated at my steel for everything from my phone to picks and bar. On the other hand... I'm wondering if it's overkill?
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Larry Dering


From:
Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 12 May 2022 7:02 pm    
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I have 3 sidekick seats and 2 without. I prefer the sidekick for convenience while sitting and use it often. The weight is not much different.
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Dave Hopping


From:
Aurora, Colorado
Post  Posted 12 May 2022 8:12 pm    
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I like my Sidekick a whole lot. It matches my steel and holds lots of little things. If I did more multi-night gigs where I didn't have to load in and out every *&%# time or if I were doing more high-end things where spiffy-looking gear is a must, I'd take it to work more often than I do. As it is I have a considerably lighter no-name pak-a-seat that works better for grab'n'go, but still has room for pretty much everything I might need.

But I'd still buy a Sidekick.It's a quality piece and worth having.
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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 13 May 2022 2:14 am    
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Sidekick with back.

A couple years ago I thought about going smaller and ordered a Steelseat.com light weight model seat. I had it less than two weeks and put it up for sale, missed the sidekick compartments and lid.
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Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 13 May 2022 2:45 am    
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With a sidekick for sure. One compartment is the perfect size for strings, and the other larger one is perfect for tools and my pick and bar case.
_________________
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 54 years and still counting.
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Bill Ferguson


From:
Milton, FL USA
Post  Posted 13 May 2022 6:22 am    
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Yep, the sidekick is quite heavy once it is loaded with all your "stuff", but even at my age and weakness, I prefer the sidekick because:

I only have to carry it in and out of a gig. So I can use a cart if needed.

It seems to be more sturdy on the floor with the wider leg spread.

I have a spare of everything right there with me and don't have to run to the car if something breaks.

It is just plain comfortable.

PERIOD

And you won't find a better person to deal with than Dan Rollans. He has continued the great business his dad started and kept his dad's values. that is enough for me.
_________________
AUTHORIZED George L's, Goodrich, Telonics and Peavey Dealer: I have 2 steels and several amps. My current rig of choice is 1993 Emmons LeGrande w/ 108 pups (Jack Strayhorn built for me), Goodrich OMNI Volume Pedal, George L's cables, Goodrich Baby Bloomer and Peavey Nashville 112. Can't get much sweeter.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 13 May 2022 7:22 am    
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A Steelers Choice with the sidekick can't be beat. Very Happy
Erv
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Skip Edwards

 

From:
LA,CA
Post  Posted 13 May 2022 12:33 pm    
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The only thing about the sidekick is that it makes the seat a bit bigger & heavier.
But, since you'll sit on it more than schlep it, I say go for it.
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Roger Crawford


From:
Griffin, GA USA
Post  Posted 13 May 2022 12:46 pm    
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Sidekick. That’s where my spare strings, cutter and tuner stay. Break a string? Don’t have to get up to do it.
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Tony Oresteen


From:
Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 13 May 2022 5:41 pm    
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I bought one last month and did not get the Sidekick. I will give it 6 months to see if I need one.
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 13 May 2022 5:51 pm    
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I have three problems with the pack-seats. First, they're far heavier and sturdier than they need to be. (Some have as much aluminum trim as a small motor home. Laughing ) Second, I don't care for the "cube" design, which is bulky and bangs on my legs when I'm carrying it in confined quarters, like a narrow stairwell. Third, the "bent tube and wingnut" leg configuration seems clunky and cheap. I'd prefer legs that snap into position, and also have some height adjustment.

Not a lot to ask, but I haven't seen anything yet I'm really impressed with. Oh Well
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Larry Dering


From:
Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 13 May 2022 7:25 pm    
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One of the coolest looking compact seat I seen was made by the Excel pedal steel guitar company. He had it at the Texas Jamboree in 2017. Haven't seen one since.
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Roger Rettig


From:
Naples, FL
Post  Posted 15 May 2022 7:49 am    
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With the side-compartment! I've been using those Steeler's Choice seats for twenty-four years now and that add-on has been so useful.

I long ago removed the dividers that come included (from the main compartment and the 'sidekick') and this increased the storage space significantly. I tend to put the less-frequently-required stuff in the part I sit upon (tools, spare volume-pedal, stomp-boxes, etc) and, in the sidekick, I keep strings, Allen wrenches, tuners, spare picks-and-bars. For theatrical rehearsals, there's a supply of soft-leaded pencils and an eraser.

And.... if you keep the lid flipped open, it acts as a tray for coffee and biscuits. Rehearsals are less tedious then. Smile

Mine is a bit weighty with all that stuff inside, but it's a one-time lift and, as has been said, it can go on a hand-cart. It's one of the best steel-guitar-related products ever produced and will last you a whole career.
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Tony Glassman


From:
The Great Northwest
Post  Posted 15 May 2022 10:22 am    
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It’s just a matter of “trade offs”.

The sidekick seat is uber-convenient when an on-stage string break occurs, but is a PITA to carry & load. I feel similarly about back-rests. They’re more comfortable between songs, but complicate loading and hauling. Also, I developed sloppy posture while playing white a back-rest which negatively affected my playing (such as it is).

Currently, I tough-it-out with a plain old cube steel seat.
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Steve Schmidt


From:
Ramsey, MN, USA
Post  Posted 15 May 2022 10:34 am    
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To paraphrase my friend Mike Skaggs. “Everything affects everything”. Many years ago I bought two of the sidecar with backrest option. I carry two Emmons volume pedals. I have the space so I use it. It’s really heavy. I leave one at home for practice. I replaced the padding on the one I take out and gig with. I never ever use the backrest so I decided to ditch it. I also can’t tell you the last time I broke a string. The next sear I buy will not have the sidecar nor the backrest. Keep it simple. I’m also liking the skb3611 for a steel case.
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David Farrell

 

From:
San Diego, California, USA
Post  Posted 16 May 2022 6:44 pm    
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I love my seat with the sidecar & back rest.
I have MXR micro phaser, MXR echoplex & HOF reverb pedals that live in the side car.
I have harmonicas that live in the lid of the sidecar & stay put with hair ties that hook over small screws.
The standard size MXR pedals squeeze in & stay put. The sidecar is just the right size for the MXR pedals.
I leave the pedals plugged in, so all I do is take out the cables that are already plugged into the pedals & run them to the amp & volume pedal.
I use a Volto Pedaltrain for power. I do unplug that to recharge between gigs.
_________________
Dave

Fender pedal steels, amps & guitars. '73 Sho~Bud PRO 1 CUSTOM. Emmons ReSound'65 S-10 4x5.
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Pete Grant

 

From:
Auburn, CA, USA
Post  Posted 24 May 2022 1:26 am    
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Sidecar and Backrest.
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Paddy Long


From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Post  Posted 30 May 2022 5:57 pm    
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Yip !!!!



_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.
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Harrison Dole

 

From:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2022 5:36 am    
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sidekick seems like the perfect size to hold a bev.
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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2022 6:36 am    
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To add to my Sidecar vote, I also have a Studio Slips "clamshell" cover for my seat. The seat's about 5 years old and still looks new.
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memphislim


From:
Austin, Texas
Post  Posted 2 Jun 2022 8:51 am    
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Sidekick
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