Steel seat sidecar question

Sam Minnitti · Post by **Sam Minnitti** » 18 Nov 2015 6:51 pm

Thinking of getting a steel seat with a side car...I noticed most (all) of the time, the sidecar is on the left-hand side. I'm right-handed, and it would seem more logical to have the sidecar on right-hand side in terms of access. Does it matter what side it is on? Am I missing something?

Kevin Barber · Post by **Kevin Barber** » 18 Nov 2015 7:11 pm

Hi Sam,

I have a sidecar on the left hand side of my seat. I'm also right handed. The reason I chose to go with the sidecar on the left side was if I need to get something out of the sidecar, I could just put down my steel bar and get what I needed with my left hand and not have to fumble around with picks on my right hand fingers, or having to take them off completely. That's just MY reasoning, others may have even better reasoning for having theirs on either the right or left side.

Jeff Triplett · Post by **Jeff Triplett** » 18 Nov 2015 7:27 pm

I have a sidecar on the left as well based on the same reasoning as Kevin.

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 19 Nov 2015 1:21 am

I've learnt to do most things left-handed, but the computer mouse defeated me so I had to learn to use it with my picks on.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 19 Nov 2015 1:30 am

Sam, I donâ€™t have a Side Car, yet... but I think too, that if youâ€™re like me I tend to favor sitting further to the right side of the guitar, 15th fret or so, and would really be crowding the right side if there were a side car there... Also, if you use a rack unit, those are typically on the right side of the guitar as well, so now itâ€™s getting a little busy on the right side if there was a side car there as well... And then thereâ€™s those pesky picks

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 19 Nov 2015 3:10 am

I think Joe Naylor of Steel Seat will build it either way.

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 19 Nov 2015 4:47 am

I don't have a side car, but my thinking is if you plan to get things out of the box, such as strings, then you want it on the left. If you are mounting a small amp or effect, right side.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 19 Nov 2015 5:28 am

As said earlier, we sit off-center behind the guitar, and I am pretty sure that a sidecar to the right will be so close to the right rear leg that you would have difficulty opening it.

Sam Minnitti · Post by **Sam Minnitti** » 19 Nov 2015 6:27 am

Thanks everyone, these are all good points about why it makes sense to have the sidecar on the left side.

Not to open another debate, but I'm wondering if I need the sidecar since it just makes for a bigger thing to have to lug around. However it does seem the ideal place to park picks, slides, string so they don't fall of the amp etc, as well as a drink. Is that the idea?

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 19 Nov 2015 7:40 am

Good points stated all around. They do work well on the left for a righty if you're wanting to find strings, alternate bar, pick replacement, etc. Very handy if you don't like to get up and fumble around in the main compartment, but yes more to carry and fit into your packing Tetrisâ€¦

I will say, when I played with Sugarland, and a couple of other artists, they didn't want ANYTHING taking focus off the front line. It was a Godsend to be able to get a string, clippers, etc., out, changed and back playing with nobody noticing. So, very handy for being heard, but not seen.

Dan Rollans · Post by **Dan Rollans** » 19 Nov 2015 10:10 am

Hello from Steelers Choice. I can build the Steelers Choice Sidekick seat with side compartment on either side. Since 1989,when we first designed the Sidekick, 95% have been built on the left side. I also custom build seats to your preferred dimensions. We have built a few Sidekick seats with compartments on both sides. Please visit www.steelerschoice.com or call Dan Rollans at 501-912-6526 for more information.
Steelers Choice since 1978.

Sam Minnitti · Post by **Sam Minnitti** » 19 Nov 2015 11:52 am

Thanks Dan, pleasure speaking with you...I'm excited for my new Steeler's Choice seat!

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 19 Nov 2015 2:56 pm

Biggest advantage to Sidekick (Dan's name for it), and it's HUGE: you don't have to stand up to get a new string if you break one on stage. If you have several bars, you can rest them on the open lid. I've also put stomp boxes there.