The Steel Guitar Forum

What is the optimum seat height for PSG? Yes, I've done a search.... plenty of info generally, but cant find the actual measurement. The proper seats are not available here in NZ so I need to find something else. Also I believe there should be 26" from floor to bottom of the cabinet. Is that correct? I'm just an average height guy 5'10". Thanks.

The ideal seat height is thighs level. That usually works out to a bit over 20".
Floor to apron is, ideally, just large enough to clear the machinery, or the height necessary to keep the right wrist from humping or dipping. Most guitars seem to run 26-27

I've been paying attention to this lately and I second Lane. I'm average height too.

Find a picture of Lloyd Green and compare it to a picture of Buck Reid. The answer lies somewhere in the middle.

Mine are 19.5 inches from the floor, with a fairly dense cushion.

For me if its too low the bar front will rattle and too much pressure will be on the back strings.

I'm nearly 6'.. And in you are playing with heels like boots, it makes a bit of difference the guitar top makes difference. Such as the difference in height of the e neck and c neck on an old sho bud.

Marty Forrer wrote:The proper seats are not available here in NZ so I need to find something else.

I use something similar to this. It has adjustable height - like 12 or 16 different heights, at subtle increments.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... MwodYQIArg

The back apron of my Sho-Bud Pro II, is a little over 26" from floor. I keep the level with floor so it not tipped.

I built my own pac a seat and the top is about 20" from floor. Also, I am ~5' 10" and play boots on.

Thanx,

Jim
PS- I keep all three of my steels same height from floor and use the same pac-a-seat.

Hi Marty,
I started out with a Piano seat raised up with a couple of blocks. I built a pack-a-seat and the height to the top of the squab is about 21.65" (550mm).
The height of the rear of my Zum is 27.75" (705mm).
I am 6' 2 1/2" Tall and now wear cowboy boots so things are on the high side!
Sandy

Thanks for the help guys. I hate being a newbie and not knowing so much stuff!

There is no specific number. For me, seat height depends on a bunch of things, how high my steel is; how tall I am - especially the distance from the bottom of my foot (with shoes/boots) to the top of my knee, which sets the distance between the steel's rear apron and the top of my thigh; and the preferred angle of my thigh relative to the floor - I think this angle depends somewhat on one's anatomy and how the steel is set up.

For me, all these factors interact somewhat. I'm around 6'4", so it took me quite a while for my playing position to evolve. When I started, every steel was so short I couldn't squeeze my knees under it without sitting so low I was very uncomfortable. I ultimately started lifting my steels using a lift kit. I typically lift a standard-height D10 around 2 inches now - perhaps a bit more for a single-body. So my seat is typically 2-3 inches taller than typical - right now 23-34 inches. Your mileage probably will vary. My thighs are angled only very slightly more than parallel to the floor - on a D10, my arms are just high enough that they don't drag across the C6 neck strings when playing E9. I use a heavy-duty drum throne rather than a typical steel seat, although I think things are stable enough now that I could properly specify a fixed-height seat.

I suggest using some type of variable-height seat to try some different heights and see what works best for you, perhaps with some guidance from a teacher. At 5'10", something in the 20-21" range would probably be a good place to start the search. If you can't get a steel seat and ultimately go the drum throne route, get a good one - it should be pretty heavy, very stable and comfortable, and height-adjustable. Mine doesn't have a back because thrones with backs are awkward to haul - if I really decide I need a back, I'll just get a steel seat made.

My take.

buddy emmons appears to be well over 6 feet and i never heard any mention of steel or seat height. i wonder what he used?

I just got a new Steeler's Choice recently, and it sits 21" at the cushion. I compared it when I received it to my old Emmons Pak-A-Seat, and it was exactly the same height, so that worked out just great for me (I stand 5'11"). In the old days, I used to carry around an little bench, and in fact at first sat on my amp (keeps the buns warm). Also some players tilt their steel farther forward than others; I played that way at first but gradually leveled 'er out. Bottom line: whatever feels right for you ought to work.

Common question

steelseat.com = 20"
steelers choice = 21"

The difference is that I use a firm foam on steelseats and Dan at Steelers Choice uses a soft foam so it = 20" seating height either way

I have recently sold seats to players that had 1 1/2" and 2" raised steels - I simply said that if the steel is raised (or lowered) the seat needs to be the same change in height - the last two both called me back and told me with their seat raised they could see the WHOLE Fret and thanked me.

I have made them from 17" to 26 or 28" - the "counter height or bar height" are usually NOT steel players.

Basically for pedal steel players your leg should be parallel from your hip to your knee to the floor. That is a general rule of thumb.

Lap steel players are a complete different matter.

My observation from my experiences

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

My problem seems to be the opposite of you guys,
I'm a short little fella (about 5'6") and most guitars are difficult for me,
especially vertical levers. I have bought shorter rods & legs in the past,
but I'm thinking about making my seat a couple inches higher if I can figure out
how to do it neatly.

JB

I'd try putting your seat on a riser first. Might be hard to use the pedals.

I just measured my Steeler's Choice seat and mines only 18" from floor to top of foam.
Most people are saying theirs is 21"
Maybe the guy I bought it from cut it down ?
I think you're right, I'll start there.

I was dwelling on this for a long time and eventually had Dan increase the height of both my Steelers' Choice seats. I'm around 5'10" but have short legs and I was trying to get my forearms level believing that that on its own would solve my poor technique.

It didn't.

Then I saw that old picture of Buddy E. sitting at an early Emmons prototype (I assume) and using a fold-up chair that looked far too short for him. (Is someone out there able to post that photo?)

I'm willing to bet that the Great Man was able to play just fine in that nasty looking picnic-seat.

Is it this one, Roger?

Joe Naylor wrote:Common question

steelseat.com = 20"
steelers choice = 21"

The difference is that I use a firm foam on steelseats and Dan at Steelers Choice uses a soft foam so it = 20" seating height either way

I have recently sold seats to players that had 1 1/2" and 2" raised steels - I simply said that if the steel is raised (or lowered) the seat needs to be the same change in height - the last two both called me back and told me with their seat raised they could see the WHOLE Fret and thanked me.

I have made them from 17" to 26 or 28" - the "counter height or bar height" are usually NOT steel players.

Basically for pedal steel players your leg should be parallel from your hip to your knee to the floor. That is a general rule of thumb.

Lap steel players are a complete different matter.

My observation from my experiences

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

I have a steeliest and love it...the fella I got it from I believe got it from you Joe, and it had turn out pads on the bottom of each leg, and with them turned out I’m at 21”...I find that it’s a little easier on the bend of my ankles sitting a little bit taller in the saddle...I have an old Cush seat and it’s at 20”, and though I wasn’t sure about liking the firmness of the steelseat when I first got it, it way more comfortable when you sit in it for any period of time then my “Cushier” seat.

That's not the same photo, Joachim, but maybe taken on the same day because it all looks very familar. In the shot I'm thinking of the seat is more visible. Same guitar, I'm fairly sure.

Thanks for responding.

I have a Walker and an old ShoBud seat, which, uncompressed, measure 20" high. I did cut 1" off the Walkers legs when I got it because it was a tad too high for me. If I can remember right, I made dining table chairs at about 19" high at the front and 17"" high at the back, which, was the format for building them, then. The tables, I believe, were 29"" to 30"" high, whatever the design called for. My Walker seat was uncomfortable when I got it that's why I took 1"" off of it. I am small compared to most (5'-6") so your comfort range will probably be different. It is important to be comfortable seated at the steel.

Came across this older thread while looking for seat recommendations. I've been playing PSG for about 9 months. I already had a cheap Tama drum throne and that's been working great (except it's hard and my butt gets sore after awhile). Here's the interesting part: I have the throne set at 18-1/2" and find this perfect. My legs fit under the carriage and I'm able to move the volume pedal all the way forward without my leg hitting the bottom of the guitar. At 19", my leg starts to hit the guitar with the volume pedal fully forward. Past 19" is unworkable.

I'm 6 feet in socks. The bottom of the guitar is 26-1/4" from the floor. Does all this make sense? I can find a throne that starts at 18" but sounds like the pac a seats are all 20" or 21" and would never work for me. Should the guitar be higher?

You could buy an adjustable-height Keyboard-Bench from a local music store, and experiment with height of the seat and rear legs of the Steel.
The Bench style seats have a different feel than the Throne style.
I have a Deluxe Keyboard Bench that is long enough to sit on the left side, and have my Delay pedal at hands reach on the right side.

I believe the distance from your knees to the underside is important . Some tall people have short legs long body and visa versa . I have short legs and sometimes feel my levers are too high but I don’t use just one seat or one guitar , rather whatever is available . I had to use a high seat once and found that very uncomfortable . For the perfect fit you would need a custom setup , guitar and seat . Just my opinion . BTW I often used to play my S10 p/p while sitting on my Session400 . Oh and hi Marty , I was playing with your brother Andrew up until the virus put us all in lockdown .

I came up with this several years ago and it works great for me. Owning several steels each one is a different height and these little add-ons are great.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... highlight=