Keyboard on top of steel set up

Tony Silbert · Post by **Tony Silbert** » 3 Feb 2011 9:55 pm

I am now doubling on keyboards and pedal steel. I would like to set the keyboards up above the steel, but the feet of the keyboard stand don't let the board get close enough. In other words, I can get the right height, but the keyboard is too far away.

I know some of you double on keys. How do you set up (other than an L configuration)? I recall seeing a photo of one steeler on this forum who had a Nord keyboard placed exactly as I want. Just not sure how he did it! Any suggestions?

(Also, what do you do for amps? Is there one amp that can handle both keys and psg well?)

Thanks, T-Bone

Bob Cox · Post by **Bob Cox** » 4 Feb 2011 6:27 am

Tony buy you an ab/ switch and one amp will work. You can have a rack stand built to raise keyboard above steel . I make the pedal STEEL STANDS to hold a guitar up upsidedown while you work on it and set it up. . I may be able to make you a longer set that would work on your steel right side up so you could set or fasten your keyboard to them. Check out the Steel Guitar work stands post . Bobby

Dave Little · Post by **Dave Little** » 4 Feb 2011 2:49 pm

Here's a stand that "MAY" work for you.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PlatformStd/
Check out the dimensions. If it's wide and tall enough, you would probably still have to rig up some way to tilt the keys.

Don Hinkle · Post by **Don Hinkle** » 9 Jan 2012 7:19 am

wondering if anyone has done this yet?
I am considering taking my 61 key Roland Xp30 to add some piano to mix along with the pedal steel.

I am thinking a stand to put the keyboard about 8" over the steel and be able to slant it towards me some.

Or, thinking of standing it next to me on the side and get a seat thats on wheels so I can swivel.. thoughts???

Tony Silbert · Post by **Tony Silbert** » 9 Jan 2012 7:32 am

I bought the stand Dave Little suggested above and it works pretty well. It is very adjustable in terms of height and width; you can make the back legs longer to have it lean toward you. You can make it so that it doesn't expand your footprint on stage very much at all.

Although I don't think there is anything better out there, the two things that are less than ideal for me are: 1) In order to have enough clearance for my picking hand, you have to have it a bit higher and/or farther set back than I would like. It is not a big deal, but it is not ideal. 2) The platform holding the keyboard is slippery. It has some pads and the keyboard has rubber feet, but I still use a towel to create more friction. I'm sure there is a more elegant way to deal with it, but just haven't gotten around to it.

It works well enough for me that I stopped looking for other solutions.

Good luck!
Tony

Don Hinkle · Post by **Don Hinkle** » 9 Jan 2012 8:11 am

I have actually had a stand like that years ago.. and like you said, its somewhat slippery and having the keyboard fall on my emmons is not what I want to do.

What I would like, is to somehow have the bracket shown below somehow suspended above my steel. Those adjustable arms would hold the keyboard just fine.
Any ideas?

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 9 Jan 2012 1:04 pm

I used to use one of those A-frame stands (I used 2 keyboards in front of me. It was wide enough to fit my steel in close to the keyboards and have the lower one at exactly the same height as the steel. The upper one angled down for me to play. Of course, no one in the crowd could see my face (a blessing for them, actually). Other times I just used one of the X shaped stands and put it in front of my steel. Worked great.

Marc Friedland · Post by **Marc Friedland** » 9 Jan 2012 6:46 pm

Tony,
I've included a few pictures.
When I have limited space available, and I want to be able to access both the psg & keys witout having to stand up, going back & forth even in the same song - I use the set-up you see pictured.
In the other picture you'll see my preferred set-up when I have the luxury of my own riser.
-- Marc

www.PedalSteelGuitarMusic.com

Keith Davidson · Post by **Keith Davidson** » 10 Jan 2012 9:56 am

Tony, what an interesting question. I play sax, electronic sax, piano and hope to add the steel on the stage within the next month.

I was just going to go in the L format and have the steel square to the front and the keyboard at 90 deg.

Didn't really think I'd be able to mount the keyboard above the steel. I think that would make me pretty nervous.....lol.

A couple of neat looking set ups so far. Keep us posted on your results would you, I'd be very interested to see what you end up with.

Keith

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