Posture Suggestions

[Chuck Blake]

Looking for posture suggestions that may relieve my aching back after sitting and playing. I have been told by my Doctor I have bulging/herniated L4, 5, 6.

I think I slouch over my guitar . I've caught myself several times bent over the guitar as opposed to keeping my back in straight plane.

Any suggestions. I'm thinking of adding a set back to my folding seat.

Thanks
Chuck

[Billy Tonnesen]

Pedal and/or Consule Steel Guitar, unless you have proper Back Support, will eventually destroy your Back if you play very much. In my case it took years but when I herniated three disks, my playing days were over. I suggest checking with a good physical therapis or Chiropracter for back support advise. Also, be carefull how you move a Pedal Guitar around when setting up or tearing down. They are not evenenly balanced with most of the weight under the outside neck. Most of us old timers who played a lot over the years have ended up with bad backs.

[Malcolm McMaster]

Getting a seat with back rest was best thing I did.Also Hand cart to move gear, and I went for lighter equipment, all helped.

[Frederick Hogaboom]

No idea where to find them but a "harness" is available
that helps keep the back straight while seated.
Hope this helps.

[Chuck Blake]

Thanks for the replys........I've decided to re-fit my steel seat which is a folding seat that I purchased for weight purposes with a seat back bought at K-Mart.

Don't laugh oh well I will....it's a high back folding boat seat ($20) that I removed the back from. I am having the mount rebuilt to fit my seat. When completed I will have a lite weight seat with folding back and legs. I believe it will come in far less in weight than a formal pac-a-seat.

The high back rest should help with nagging lower back pain .

I will post pics.

[Dan Beller-McKenna]

After I couldn't stand up at the end of a four-hour gig a year and a half ago (largely due to throwing my back out shoveling snow off my roof the day before; New Hampshire--gotta love it!), I ordered a seat with a back rest from Joe Naylor. Joe purports to have firmer foam on the seat than other builders, especially intended to prevent back aches; so far so good. Also, being able to lean back every so often makes a huge difference.

Posture is also important, though. I am as guilty as the next person about slouching at the steel. At the very least, be sure not to stay in one position over a long time at the steel; another good reason to turn and look at your band mates once in a while (even though we all know the steel is the only thing on stage that matters ). I even try to stand up at least once in a set if I can.

Dan

[Chuck Blake]

Update on my back situation.

I was gonna retrofit my bench seat but the wife says, "Buy a new one"......so...I've decided to buy a new or good used BLACK seat.

Looking for cloth covering with a back rest. The jury is out on which back rest angle to buy; one with verical back or something with an angled back. I've read previous threads on which is preferred.

I probably won't have the opportunity to "test drive" various styles so please share your stories.

Thanks and please hurry before she changes her mind !

[Dave Bertoncini]

Check with Joe Naylor at Steel Seat http://steelseat.com/ as said above very comfortable with firmer seat. Joe will have to tell you about angle. Mine is as good as it gets.

[John Billings]

Well,,,,, I don't really think a seat with a back is the answer. One needs to address the guitar correctly. I had a car accident 40 years ago,,,, serious whiplash,, and 30 years ago, fell on ice and compression fractured 3 verts. I play S10s and a Uni 12. I have no problems whatsoever. So,,,, you may want to address the situation as far as your posture in playing is concerned. Maybe you need back support,,,, but my back is trashed, and I don't need a seat with a back, I just need the guitar to be the right height, and need to address it properly. YMMV.

[Chuck Blake]

Just to follow up.......I decided to purchase a Steeler Choice Seat

This is MY cure as it causes me to sit upright and it discourages slouching. If I go back to my original seat I find that I slouch and my back hurts after 20 minutes or so of playing, even more trying to stand upright after playing becomes very painful.

So great seat, their design might not be for eveyone but for me it is a perfect solution.