Pedal Steel Seat Design

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 25 Feb 2009 6:49 am

Awright Kevin....how many ya got....geeez....I gotta buy em all and get you out of the market I guess. Well Bill just make some time and come on....we can play some music and go to the shop and talk special design stuff. Who knows we might set the world on fire. John...you got a great seat and I agree that a steel seat is the best thing since sliced bread for a player. I have a routine when I set up and tear down and when I am finished packing my seat I remove my steel from the stage...then seat.. then amp and I'm outta there. I used to not be able to imagine it any other way too, but over the years in this business I have learned that all minds do not think alike. I think I saw somewhere that one of those speaker type seats are being made with a cushion on it already as well. The handle was cut into the center of the cushion and all sorts of thoughts starting going through my mind. Finally....yesterday after reading and posting on this thread I opened my seat to have a look inside. I mean come on guys...I have enough stuff in that seat for two steel players and maybe a third. I think what I am going to do today is make a Traveler Ultra Lite model for me. The box isn't as deep and maybe it will force me into taking what I need and break me of the bad habit of hording up all the things I can certainly do without. I'm serious. When I opened the seat it was a little funny and a little embarrassing. So now I make myself a promise to never....ever...ever.. do that again!!! Right $:\$

Ray

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 25 Feb 2009 7:06 am

BTW, Fender now make a Guitarist's Throne, which is available at Guitar Center, covered in either Fender Tweed or black tolex to match a player's particular amp covering. It's a different rectangular shape than a steel-designed seat, but it's the same concept.

The salesman allowed as how keyboardists have been buying these things as well.

Ray, Bowman showed me his "Walker Light" seat and it's a great idea. A seat that can fit in an overhead compartment can save $100 on the price of an airline ticket. GOOD THINKING!! I'll talk to you in Dallas about one.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 25 Feb 2009 7:19 am

I still think a seat w/ luggage wheels on one side and a telescoping pull handle (so the it could be pushed or pulled when the legs are folded up) would be a great product. Ray?......Thom?.....anyone?

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 25 Feb 2009 8:45 am

The Scott Dixon seat is light and easy to carry, but you do need an extremely heavy wallet to pay for it.I use one of their light weight cases for my steel, but I was lucky enough to pick up a second hand one ,as I could not have paid the new price.If price was to come down I think they might pick up a lot of trade. like the idea of having wheels and retractable handle that someone suggested

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 25 Feb 2009 9:21 am

Waisznor wrote:...bulky? heavy? hard to carry?

http://www.scottdixoninc.com/music/cases.html

Sweeeeeet!!!

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 25 Feb 2009 9:54 am

I went to the ScottDixonInc.com website, but all I could pull up was one small photo of a steel case exterior. I couldn't find any info at all about steel seats, dimensions, prices, specs, interior shots, etc. of anything.

Unless there's a problem with their website or my browser, I'd say there's lots of nice pictures of obviously high-end stuff and little else there.

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 25 Feb 2009 10:01 am

I too went to the site but as Herb said....no price or other relevant info. Might be the deal where if you have to ask the price you probably can't afford it. Hey Tony believe it or not I have been experimenting with the handle and wheels. The additional hardware is rather pricey and heavy which will add weight to the overall seat. Now I realize that you are pulling it on wheels so there would not be an issue of weight there, however, at some point you gotta pick it up and put in in your car or truck. None the less it is still one of those things I am working on. Herb, actually that Ultra Lite seat was Randy Beavers' idea. He kept on till I tried some things and that's what I came up with. Even I was shocked at the weight. Heck man I'll try anything once.

Ray

Waisznor · Post by **Waisznor** » 25 Feb 2009 11:25 am

Sorry, I don´t know the price for the Dixon seat. Mr. Dixon offered me the seat when I ordered a flightcase (last year) for my Emmons D 10 from him. I paid 300 Euro for this excellent flightcase. That wasn´t too much. But the shipping from UK to Germany isn´t cheap.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 25 Feb 2009 12:46 pm

Kinda looks like a cooler. You could ice down a few beers in the big compartment and in the smaller compartments keep your shrimp cocktails fresh... or maybe some gelatto for those hot summer gigs. Needs a spigot to drain it tho. Be nice to have a shrimp cocktail in between rides.

I always thought an empty marshall 4x12 cab lined with cooler material and a pop off top would sell. All your hard rock cafe's could have em on display chilling their diet pepsi's or whatever, good for frat houses and party bands or just your local rock club.

Les Wright · Post by **Les Wright** » 25 Feb 2009 11:27 pm

The Scott-Dixon seat is about £200 (pounds sterling) in the UK so about $290 plus shipping. I have one of their cases for my steel which is of similar construction but is very light by comparison to standard cases.

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 25 Feb 2009 11:59 pm

I resisted the steel seat for a while. I would always use a chair from the bar. I found that having a different sitting height every time I play messed with my playing. So I got a 18$ folding keyboard bench. Now I was taking my steel, my amp, a bag with my volume pedals chords strings etc AND a bench. The bench broke, so I got another. It broke getting stuff tossed on it in the van 2 shows into a tour. When we got to LA I bought a gfi steel seat from Blackie Taylor. Now I only have 3 things to carry, a seat, a steel and an amp. I want a built in power strip on the next one I get, to eliminate one step in the load unload ritutual, because some times that extra 2 minutes of tuning or warming up saves a song or 2 from the "strings get warm detune" that always happens to me (its cold up here). Now I would hate to play a show without my pac-a-seat, I would be lost. Now im dreaming up an ubber ultra seat I want someone to build for me....

I would like a sliding tray that holds my tuner and echo pedal so I can reach down and mess with the knobs during songs that need a lot of echo. I suppose it may even hold a drink out of the eyes of the "no drinks on stage nazis" that took over in Wa State this year, and if the effects pedals stay attached they could be pre-set up like an effects board eliminating another step in setup/take down

Set up would be:

1 set up steel
2 plugin seat and amp
3 slide out the pedals
4 plug in the cables to and from the v ped
5 play it

Is that doable or am I pipe-dreaming again?

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 26 Feb 2009 3:35 pm

2 things I agree with!

1. John Drurys opinion of this post! &

2. A Pak-A-Seat is the only way to go!

Randall Meeker · Post by **Randall Meeker** » 8 Sep 2011 7:03 am

To each his/her own!

As each of us has individualized needs our setups will vary. The Steel Throne is an important part of the infrastructure needed to perform at your optimum.

Your Seated Position must be repeatable so that your muscle memory and angle of attack, leverage and other issues can be relied upon to be very similar each time you play. A stable reliable seat is essential as we are seated when we play. The Steel Throne (box like structure) is a good compromise and GFI, Steeler's Choice and Walker are all good products. Drum Thrones have good points and some not so good points. Collapsible / Folding piano Benches have their own challenges.

As incredibly bright, gifted and talented individuals as we are - I hope for continued improvement in this area. I mean, it's not rocket science...or pedal steel guitar engineering...it's a stool, with or without a back...or storage compartments or power strips...Good luck on your search. I do prefer domestic products rather than imported ones however the DixsonScott design is quite compelling - I will stay with American Made and produced equipment whenever possible unless other products are markedly superior.

Kirk Eipper · Post by **Kirk Eipper** » 8 Sep 2011 8:18 am

Joe Naylor built me a full size seat with wheels and a telescoping handle, back and side car. It's heavy as hell when loaded but who cares, it rolls. Every thing I need right at my fingertips. Even has a power strip built in! just my two cents.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 8 Sep 2011 8:34 am

Wow, this thread sure has some legs. With thousands of gigs on a seat over the years, variables of construction, cushion material, and weight have all become apparent to me. I've been using one of Joe Naylor's "lite" models for some time, and it's the best (for me) of the many I've tried. I had to somewhat condense my gear to fit the smaller inside space, but it's worth it for the weight savings. The cushion material really takes on import with 5-6 days/nights a week occupancy... and Joe has nailed it; firm, but supportive, and very comfortable. The molded covering takes a beating and still looks great. A killer seat all around, and stellar service to boot. Thanks, Joe.

Adam Goodale · Post by **Adam Goodale** » 8 Sep 2011 9:17 am

I used a road case with dining room chair cushion on top for a year or so for gigs, before that, i used a dining room chair. I bought a cush case pac-a-seat, w/ a back rest for $125 off of this forum. It has probably been my best purchase of anything steel related. i will never go back. a drum throne would work fine for a 45 minute show, but when you play 4 hour dance gigs, 2-3 times a week, a good seat with a back rest is a wonderful investment. No more sore backs on sunday mornings!

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 8 Sep 2011 9:19 am

like mark i bought a sho-bud pak-a-seat long ago. it was the best and most needed invention at the time.
$100 and i'm still using it 30+ years later. not all that bulky. i wouldn't be without it and easy to put new cushion on when necessary.

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 8 Sep 2011 10:43 am

I've been using a cheap drum throne while trying to figure out what to do for a seat....I hate that the throne swivels, I find myself rotating counterclockwise, putting my right hand and feet out of position....

I don't have a problem with carrying a bag of pedals, etc.....and I'd like a seat with adjustable height. That is the main flaw in the pac-seats available....my steels are different heights, and I'm not a tall guy....

This one (quik lok bz-7) seems to be the most sturdy and adjustable....anybody try it?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... 5000001000

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 9 Sep 2011 7:03 am

When my good friend, Master Craftsman, and Inventor Duane Marrs invented the Pack-A-Seat, I believe he called it, the world of steel guitar took a hard turn in the right direction.

This invention is to be considered on the same plane as the wheel, the airplane, the M 1911 A1 (Happy 100th!), and the steel guitar itself.

The black ones seem more comfortable to me.

JMOHO

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 9 Sep 2011 7:28 am

Thanks Kirk & Mike - I try to build what customers want - Lite up to HEAVY - I use a firm foam that MOST people like - it is better for your back and the back rest is available using the same firm material.

Tell me what you want and I will try to make it.

I have had a couple customers send me photos of Drum Thrones going in a dumpster.

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

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 9 Sep 2011 9:48 am

OK, after all that thinking and going back and forth, I gave up on the drum throne or keyboard seat idea, had a great conversation with Ray Walker, and will soon be sitting in style....they all seem OK, but his seats had some specific features that are important to me....and he certainly is a fine gentleman!

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 9 Sep 2011 11:38 am

I use a "Longhorn" seat. Don't know who makes them but it's well padded w/backrest. It's a little heavy but very nice. Next seat I purchase will have the backrest, as well as, the powerstrip. Probably, after first of the upcoming year, with some more goodies!

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 9 Sep 2011 12:39 pm

I, too, use a drum throne. I forgot my chair when I was in the bar band in Stevenston WA for the bluegrass festival, and I borrowed one from the drummer on the swing band that was also there. It fits nicely, along with cords, volume pedal, effects pedals, spare strings and tools, into an old suitcase that was my mom's. So, I go to gigs with steel, suitcase and amp. Not too bad - it all fits easily onto my dolly.

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 9 Sep 2011 1:05 pm

I have a couple of sets of all the real cool stuff, however....

For the last 6-8 months I've used my Stage One, MB-200 (with pwr strip inside the speaker cabinet), a small gig bag from the China Store, and sitting on this:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CE8Q8wIwAA

One trip in-one trip out...every gig. And I'm there to make money....

Carrying less, enjoying it more

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 9 Sep 2011 5:41 pm

Scroll to bottom of the page for 33 bucks and adjustable height good for local gigs
http://steel-guitar-austin.com/56.html

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