Pedal Steel Seat Design

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 12 Sep 2011 7:45 am

I had not advertized that model of seat yet but it is a steelseat.

I try to build what the customer wants. (girl not included)

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 12 Sep 2011 8:47 am

All of the comments above are noted and appreciated, however, any steeler who has had to sit on a coke or beer box on a metal folding chair for four hours, will applaud any of the seats mfg'd today.

Please hold your barbs, I know I'm old and barely removed from holding my steel on my lap, but we appreciate the current advances of our trade.

Gene Jones

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 12 Sep 2011 5:29 pm

The future:
Power amps are going to get smaller,lighter, and have more features. I`d like one built into my seat. I`d like to have all my knobs on the side of my seat. My black box lives there now, it`s roughly the same size as some of the newer power heads. I don`t see hanging a super twin reverb or a 5 space rack off the side, but a GK200, Sarno classic, the Evans head...Sure would be nice to tweak your knobs from your seat. If it could be contained in the build of the seat, it would look alot cleaner than hanging gizmos off the legs of our steels. Good spot for a tuner ? Just thinking.... I realize none of these items are the same size, and that would be a challenge, but...sure would be nice and quicker to set up and dial in. Just thinkin...

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 12 Sep 2011 5:57 pm

Thanks Gene - that is nice to hear.

Steve Spitz check your email but I have had some inquiries to make a rack mounted space in the SideKar - it can be done - the problem with a full rack it is wider than the seats which would add lots of weight but with the smaller electronics.

So it is possible now.

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

Bob Simons · Post by **Bob Simons** » 12 Sep 2011 8:25 pm

My problem is that the SEAT aspect gets the least attention. Designing a comfortable seat involves serious and somewhat subtle design issues. All the ones I've encountered are little more that thinly padded planks of wood with no ergonometric niceties whatsoever.

I somewhat improved the one I ended up with by taking it to an expert hot rod interior shop....but it is still heavy, uncomfortable in the long-run, and clumsy to carry, but well in keeping with the basic garage shop/low engineering/hobbyist environment of the pedal steel guitar manufacturing world.

Jeff Spencer · Post by **Jeff Spencer** » 13 Sep 2011 2:53 am

OK my turn. That is a great seat Bob. I love the side car option and will add one of these to my "home made" pac-a-seat. What I do not understand is the padded top on it? Why not make it flat with perhaps a small lip to stop "stuff" rolling off, perhaps a drink holder or whatever. I know I would not be the first one to think of this??
Just my 20c worth.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 13 Sep 2011 4:43 am

That sidecar cushion is to provide a place for female admirers to sit during gigs. Our fiddler liked to sit on mine.

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 13 Sep 2011 5:45 am

For comfort and ergonomics, nothing beats a good office chair. I've used a light one (mainly constructed from various plastics) with a slightly forward tilting seat cushion and fully adjustable backrest since the eighties, and its only drawback is that it is very bulky and difficult to get a grip on for carrying. Cost me less than $100 at IKEA, still looks like new. As long as it fits in your car, that's the way to go.

Bob Simons · Post by **Bob Simons** » 13 Sep 2011 7:03 am

Jeff- The praise goes to Ace Auto Fabric in KCMO....to answer your question-the sidecar upholstery brought it to the same level more or less as the seat. I sit well to the right at a U-12 as I often have the RKR Lower E's) engaged for long periods. I find myself with my leg across it a bit when I am at the 0-A-B-C area and it is far more comfortable. Also the side car has my picks, slides, extra P/U, etc. quick access needs.

As far as a drink holder-

1) I don't believe in liquids above electronics

2) The music I play is a little more rambunctious perhaps than what you play....I'll drink when I'm not performing.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 13 Sep 2011 7:09 am

I've seen Bob's seat and it is an A+ job on the upholstery.

I keep the lid open on my sidecard seat, for my Matchbro bar, tuner, etc.

Jeff Spencer · Post by **Jeff Spencer** » 13 Sep 2011 1:20 pm

That sidecar cushion is to provide a place for female admirers to sit during gigs.

Or perhaps my parole officer!!

Good thinking Bob, Thats good advice re electronics and spillage etc.
Thanks all - some good tips here!
J

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 13 Sep 2011 10:27 pm

I've deleted my previous posting about the "Pack-A-Gat" seat after reading the previous thread here about steel players and concealed carry permits. The issue of gun ownership and right to carry permits is seemingly a political issue and since it has already been discussed here, I apologize for launching off topic with it.

F.W.I.W:
I have always had to play pedal steels that were over standard height by 2" or add a lift kit to standard height guitars in order to be able to get my long legs under them. For many years I was sitting at regular height so my arms were slightly reaching up to the guitar (not so comfortable). Then about 8 years ago, I approached Dan Rollans (at Scotty's show) about building me a seat that was 2" over standard height. For no additional charge and within a few weeks my new Steeler's Choice seat arrived and I couldn't be happier. What a difference in comfort that I never had before in sitting at the right height made for me. I've since then gotten another one with the side compartment. I'll never have play steel while sitting on a chair with a "Chicago phone directory" under my butt ever again

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 14 Sep 2011 12:59 pm

Has anyone mentioned putting "wheels" or "rollers" on a pack-a-seats legs?
I recently started using a wheeled office chair to play steel here in the computer room at home, and the ability to roll forward/back a few inches as needed is nice!
Much easier to move between RKL-inner and RKL-outer.
I like to be able to "swivel" into enguaging the other Knee Levers too.
If I want to adjust the amp I just push back and glide over to it (we have wood floors).

Maybe just mount the pack-a-seat box/seat onto an office chair base.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 14 Sep 2011 3:59 pm

...and I think we all abandoned the idea of a
combined Steeler´s Pack-a-seat/portable toilet...

Damn... Ken Rollans told me that my sidecar pak-a-seat was in fact one. I guess I'll have to get it cleaned up.

Bob Simons · Post by **Bob Simons** » 14 Sep 2011 4:36 pm

Might be an appropriate disposal system for some of the country tunes I've heard lately...javascript:emoticon(':D')

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 14 Sep 2011 5:25 pm

OK I have waited as long as I can stand it

I bought steelseat.com about 4 years ago and had no idea what would be ask of me.

First off my background is engineeting - that is why I could not leave well enough alone. When I bought the company Thom and W. C. had only built one model with the only option being a back rest.

As I mentioned I could not leave well enough alone.

For 3 years or more I had tried to talk Thom into building a seat that would be light weight. He had convenced me (along with 3 or 4 other guys) to build a small light weigth seat. I had decided to start in January and unfortunately in February that year he passed away. Thom's widow, Leann called and ask if I would be interensted in buying steelseats.

As I mention with my engineering background I could not leave well enough alone.

As far as the statement about slapping a 1/2" piece of foam on a piece of plywood - is what has never been done at steelseats. I have done lots of research regarding just that. I use a firm foam that is the same foam used in military aircraft. During my research I found that basically firmer foam has more material in it and less air.

I know Dan and Ken Rollins and count them as friends. Yes, we use different foam. Some people do not like my foam and like the Steelers Choice foam. Yes there is a BIG difference.

Ergonimics has been taken into consideration in at least both our seats. I do not know about other seats so I can not comment.

I offer more options than either all or most seat manufacturers. This may be good or bad.

A couple years ago there was a thread on the forum that a lot of people would like adjustable legs. I set about to come up with adjust able legs and in the past two years I have sold 5 and one of those was at a show and was purchased because of the color of the seat not the adjustablility of the height.

I have a seat with wheels on it ---- it is called a Craft seat since it was designed for a sewing / craft seat. This seat was designed after a musician's wife ask for a sewing seat.

Steelers Choice (as far as I know) came up with what I call the SideKar (they call it a Side Kick) I added that because people asked for it.

I added a flush mounted Power Strip with and on / off switch and breaker - once again because people ask for it.

I make what ever height seat at no additional charge. I do not care if I throw away 2" or 4" of leg material so that is simply a free option/

I had people ask for wheels and a telescoping handle for transporting the seats - I came up with that and have build about 5 - and recently came up with a new up dated design.

With the Lite Model, SlimLine Model and Original Model I build seats at 3 different depths. Plus the Sewing / Craft seat which is deeper yet.

If you contact me to buy a seat I simply ask what do you want.

Bob Simmons and I have had discussions off the forum and he said not to be bashful. I laughed - for those of you who know me I do not think I have been accused of that since I was 2 or 3.

Now I have said all this I will be happy to see comments and if you want to email me and not put it on the forum mine is joe.naylor@att.net

I welcome your comments - I have learned a lot since buying steelseats and am happy to learn lots and lots more.

I did not mention other brands of seats here because I am do not know that much about others (no other reason)

Usually lighter and less $$$$ is the BIG topics.

Thanks for tuning in

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com
plus Road Cases and other stuff too

John Richmond · Post by **John Richmond** » 14 Sep 2011 9:20 pm

I'm glad to have the opportunity to recommend Joe Naylor and Steelseat Company in Avondale, AZ. The seat he made for me is beautiful, durable, and not very heavy. It is a bunch more comfortable than the swiveling drum seat that I used before I got the Steelseat. The best part is, when I had a problem with my seat and called Joe, right away he offered to replace it free of charge. That is exactly what happened, which made me happy I had chosen Steelseat. Not everybody stands behind their product like Joe and Denise do, and I'd recommend their seats to anyone.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 15 Sep 2011 6:06 am

....then there was Buddy Emmons' idea for a seat....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOHi_Ul7hTg

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 15 Sep 2011 6:20 am

...didn't hurt his playing one bit! What a fantastic solo! Such effortless elegance.

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 15 Sep 2011 6:28 am

Now that is a stable seat - I can see a new model now starting at $500,000 and going up - adjustable legs and portable option not available but I could work on a Back Rest! Plus color options are limited.

Joe Naylor
ww.steelseat.com

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 15 Sep 2011 12:56 pm

By the way I love the seat you made for me.

Geoff Barnes · Post by **Geoff Barnes** » 15 Sep 2011 1:45 pm

I'll chime in here too.
Joe, I haven't had a chance to publicly thank you for the seat you made for me. It is a thing of beauty, comfortable and relatively light (compared to the drum throne with backrest I was using).
So; Thanks mate! it's a keeper.

Everyone loves the snakeskin btw.

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 16 Sep 2011 1:10 pm

Thank you john, Tom & Geoff -

I am trying to make a comfortable, usable, heavy duty, and as light weight as possible a seat for the least dollars I can at this time.

It makes the work worth while when I see positive comments like you guys have made.

I just had an email for a customer that told me to take a look at this thread again.

He liked his big seat so much he is going to leave it at home and ordered a Lite Model (that if course is lighter weight) for giggin

Sometimes when I am working in the shop I wonder if customers like the steelseats. This gets me going - finishing up my Diet Coke and back to the shop.

Thanks guys

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 17 Sep 2011 5:26 am

I don't know about the rest of you but I need a bigger seat to carry this stuff in and it needs to be lighter..ha ha! The Steelers Choice seat is the one I use and it gets some really serious use too and has held up for I think ten years or more. I carry two volume pedals and a ton of chords, strings, tools, flashlights, everything I need to fix anything that goes wrong and I could carry more stuff but I'm out of room. If I get another one it will be just a tad bigger. I'm a drummer too and I have a hydraulic seat that is the best I ever owned. The thing has spring to it! I like the idea of being able to turn around and touch up the amp but I want something that will stay where I am and not move when I'm playing so the drummers throne is out for me. Now if you want to make an improvement in the seat put a light inside so you can see in the dark and maybe some slots to hold screwdrivers, pliers in the top that lifts up. The light would be the big one for me.

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 17 Sep 2011 8:23 am

Frank I have had people ask for a light inside and spots for bars.

I do have a deeper one than Steelers Choice that you can haul a lot of stuff in but they get heavy.

Dan Rollins and I laugh that musicians will come to a show pick up a new empty seat and say "Wow that is lighter than mine" - this is about the time we laugh and say well there are not 2 or 3 volume pedals, enough strings to go round the world twice and enough tools to overhaul a pick-up truck plus a guitar or two - and do not forget the 8 bars that are in the bottom that are never uses because the 3 on top are handy.

This really happens several times every steel show.

I have actually taken 4 volume pedals - 8 cresent wrinches - 12 screw drivers in various sizes - an electric string winder and 2 manual crank string winders - 8 bars (in the bottom) 3 boxes of bandaids, super glue (that was solid in the tube, 25 sets (not strings) some with strings missing - broken sun glasses, 3 flash lights (none worked), 12 9V batteries, 10 cords - and I am sure some things I have forgotten - and layed them all out on the floor and ask him how much stuff he really needed - I gave him a box to take about half of the stuff to his car and he could not believe how much room he had and how much lighter his seat was.

Oh by the way he was using one of my seats on stage and playing so he had another set of everything up there too. (including 3 bars

This was about 3 years ago and I am going to look in his seat again soon to see if it is "heavy again" - meaning full.

So Frank I can make you one deeper and with a SideKar and will look for that frig type light again - so it will turn off when the lid closes (or velcro a flash light in the top of the lid- which works too)

Good laughs help (now I have several people trying to figer out if I was talking about them with the "pack rat" seats)

so everyone smile

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

The Steel Guitar Forum

Pedal Steel Seat Design

Cal I thought I replyed to this one?

Thinking outside the box

Thanks Gene

OK I have waited as long as I can stand it

Buddy's seat

Good one Tom

Thanks