What's the best seat for pedal steel?

David Doggett · Posted 26 Sep 2003 3:32 pm

I gotta buy one of these real soon and am wondering which are the best, or are they all pretty much the same? I'm not interested in "I like mine, but it's the only one I ever tried." I'm more interested in comparisons by steelers who have used or tried more than one kind. How important is a back rest? How important is a side pocket? Does it matter if the legs are straight or splayed? If you could buy any seat on the market, which one would it be, and why? Thanks for any help.

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Dave,
I've used several brands -- ShoBud, homemade, Steelers Choice

All were very stable as I believe most are. The seat portion is going to be pretty similar, I believe. Since getting a seat with a back, I will never buy one without; and I've never seen the need for a power strip in a pak-a-seat.

I've used seats with the U-shaped tubular legs (each end of the U is a leg) and also legs made from a U-shaped solid steel rod with a locking bracket -- the kind you squeeze to lock/unlock -- they are surprisingly stable.

Size/capacity is another 'feature'. If my pak-a-seat is heavier than my amp, it may just be TOO BIG or TOO FULL. If I had one of those double-wide jobs I'd be tempted to fill it so full I'd have to invest in a dolly for it. I prefer one that just has enough room for necessities. I don't even carry an extra volume pedal in my seat any more, so the size isn't a big deal for me.

It's a tool. As long as it is solidly built, looks presentable, carries my stuff, and I don't fall off of it, I'm happy. Most of the new ones I've seen are well built and cost more than I want to spend.

You can't go wrong with Kenny Rollans' product -- AND there are many others that I'm sure are equally good -- but the Steelers Choice is the best one I've ever owned.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Walter Hamlin · From: Talladega, Alabama, USA

I've built and bought seats, used chairs, cases and, amps. I'm using one now with a backrest but I don't think I use the backrest that much. I added 2" to the legs to help aleviate hip pain when sitting for a long period of time. I think one with splayed legs would be somewhat safer. I have leaned sideways to get something off the floor and fell off one with straight legs. One time I cut my ear when I fell into a set of drums. I was told by a seat builder that side pocket styles were for "bedroom pickers" but I have seen pros using them too. The ones I have seen are basically the same in purpose. Just find you
one you feel will be comfortable for you
in the price range you want to pay.
Walter Hamlin

Walter Hamlin · From: Talladega, Alabama, USA

Once again. Let me say Amen to what Mr.Larry Bell said about the Steelers Choice seat. I like mine too.

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

My favorite one was my Sho~Bud Case, til it wore out 10 or more years ago. Second to that, the old style oak milk cases with mesh bottoms used to be just the right height.

Now I go for regular armless bar chairs.

EJL

Dale Bessant · From: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

David,try one of our Forum members Wayne Brown at http://www.outwestpacseat.ca...

[This message was edited by Dale Bessant on 26 September 2003 at 07:36 PM.]

Jack Francis · From: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA

At the risk of public ridicule, I admit to using a piano bench seat that I bought at Guitar Center for $35.00.

I only use the steel for 3-4 songs per set so I don't need a back.

Because I keep getting up and down to play guitar it's pretty functional....Well, it works for me.

------------------
RUS-LER S-10 / NV 400
Randall rack amp system
TELE's & STRAT FENDER TWIN
Seymour Duncan 50W tube amp

Scott Appleton · From: Ashland, Oregon

Been using a Sho-Bud seat i purchased new in 73
all this time ... still works great ... replaced the pad and cover twice now ... they wear out get snagged
and loose cush after about 10 years. buy any one of the popular seats and thats all you'll need.

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MSA D10 Classic XL
Acoustic 165 100W tube
71 Tele, Regal 45, Gretch
Lap, Columbia Lap, Line 6

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

My Emmons seat has been rugged, comfortable, roomy and my first choice. The fold-up design of the legs is second to none. No unnecessary labor to setup or teardown. No shakey either.
I tried a Yamaha drum stool that cost me over $100 and that nearly killed me and my back too.

James Quackenbush · From: Pomona, New York, USA

Check these seats out...Your butt will thank you...
www.tarheelmusic.com/steelseats1.html

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I have used a Sho~Bud seat for years. However, recently I bought a side kick, back rest model, Steelers Choice seat and I couldn't be happier! It is outstanding!!! Such quality and features. They certainly go the extra mile. A while ago they had a fire in the place and got somewhat behind in orders, but believe me, if you order a seat, it is well worth the wait. Just sit on an orange crate in the meantime!
Erv

[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 27 September 2003 at 07:56 AM.]

[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 27 September 2003 at 07:57 AM.]

Terry Edwards · From: Florida... livin' on spongecake...

David Doggett · Posted 27 Sep 2003 9:47 am

Thanks for all the info, guys. Up til now I have just been grabbing a bar table chair with no arms. But I recently got into a situation where all I had was folding chair. It was kinda low, and I had to shorten the legs on my steel, which brought the pedals real close to the floor and felt weird. And the seat was real slick and I was sliding around. So I gotta get my own seat. Do any come with adjustable height?

Nicholas Dedring · From: Beacon, New York, USA

If you don't place a priority on being able to carry your odds/ends/volume pedal and paraphenalia in the Seat, you might be able to get by with a drum throne, or keyboard bench.

Pakaseats do not have adjustable height, you have to order your height when you buy it, if you need non-standard stuff. I use a drum throne, but I don't have to pack up and move that often... so putting all the gear in the seat box isn't so important to me at the moment.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

I'm intrigued by the seat-builder who declared that 'side pockets were for bedroom players' - we can safely assume that the ones he builds DON'T have this feature

, therefore he was keen to discredit the ones that do. This allows me to change strings during a show without standing to open my seat and thereby disrupting the performance.

For me, the back is vital - I have a lower back problem - but some don't need this. I've been virtually resident at a theatre near me for twelve months, and my Steeler's Choice seat is a permanent fixture in the 'pit' - even if I'm only playing six-string, it's the 'best seat in the house'!

I have two. They're better-built than the Emmons or the Sho-bud ones I had before - I think it's 'no contest'!

Ken is great to deal with, too - he went to a lot of trouble to see that I was happy with my ones, and threw in a bunch of spare fittings in case I needed to replace things at a later date.

RR

[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 27 September 2003 at 02:10 PM.]

Chuck Halcomb · From: Lubbock, Texas

GW Edgar at Tote-a-seat in McPherson, Kansas makes a nice seat that is solid enough to hold even the most hefty steel player. He makes them with or without a back and will put just about any sort of fabric you want on the seat and back rest.

The web site address is www.toteseat.comI play non-pedal, but I sure do like mine.

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Remington Steel T-8 Steelmaster
Gibson Console Grande

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

I concur with Roger Rettig. Since changing from a basic Sho~Bud seat to a Rollins Steelers' Choice with sidebox and back, I'll never go back. The side box is great, say, when you break a string in the middle of a song, you can get your spares and wirecutters, string winder, etc, out without turning your butt to the audience... or a place to store your little tuner till ya need it...

As for the back, I used to think I wouldn't care for one because I always lean forward when I play. BUT! Once I got one, I realized how often I DON'T play! And during those times, it's lovely to be able to lean back and watch the rest of the band work. I wouldn't want to do without it now!

Skip Mertz · From: N.C. (deceased)

I've just bought a cpl of the NEW "Walker" seats and they are Super! Most steel seats are quality products but in working with Ray Walker I helped in developing a much superior
cushion. Try one, you'll love em

Jeff A. Smith · From: Angola,Ind. U.S.A.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

I hope the seat manufacturers are reading this. There is an UNMET NEED for high-quality packaseats with ADJUSTABLE height!

Wayne Brown · From: Bassano, Alberta, Canada

hi jim ....i am reading this thread....and i'm not trying to be rude but out west has been listening for over 4 years and every time we've did something that all the folks would suggest it sits in my shop for years and doesn't sell...for example people asked for a economy seat...they screamed for this one ...i introduced them...and there they sit all 12 of them, collecting dust, people asked for a deluxe seat with rack spaces and all the bells and whistles,the price was to high.....there they sit in my shop unsold...so you can see why were a little hesitant...as for ajustable legs you folks know how tall you are and how high you want to sit...any manufacturer would gladly set your seat height you wanted at the time of purchase...also because of the weight variances of our customers the engineering to do ajustable legs would drive the price of the seats up....which is unacceptable....as for the builders us at out west and our good friends ken and dan at steelers choice build a fine product and the new guy on the block ...walker seats...also looks like a great product also ...so i would say to everybody choose a seat thats right for you...feel,durabilty,and looks....i'm sure that any seat out on the market today are all excelent products that should last for a good long time

thanks
wayne brown
c/o out west pac-seats

David Cobb · From: Chanute, Kansas, USA

I guess I'm the only one who wasn't aware that seats are available in different heights.
I'd thought it was a take it or leave it deal
on that aspect.
I've also wished for a way to elevate the rear of the seat ever so slightly higher than the front and I've found a way around that, it's not an attractive fix, but effective enough.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Fair enough, Wayne. Thanks for offering the builder's perspective.

Wayne Brown · From: Bassano, Alberta, Canada

david that can be done to...not a problem
thanks
wayne brown
c/o out west pac-seats

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

I may be wrong, but I think that 21" is the 'standard' leg-height - I needed just 20", and Ken took care of it.

RR

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