Steeler's Choice: To sidekick or not to sidekick

Eric Long · From: Bay Area, California, USA

I'm going to order a new steeler's choice and I'm curious how many of you have had a sidekick and found it to be just to big/heavy? I'll be using it regularly for gigs so it won't just live at home. I'm young so the weight isn't as huge of an issue as the size is.

On one hand, I love the idea of having an accessible storage space while I am seated at my steel for everything from my phone to picks and bar. On the other hand... I'm wondering if it's overkill?

Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

I have 3 sidekick seats and 2 without. I prefer the sidekick for convenience while sitting and use it often. The weight is not much different.

Dave Hopping · From: Aurora, Colorado

I like my Sidekick a whole lot. It matches my steel and holds lots of little things. If I did more multi-night gigs where I didn't have to load in and out every *&%# time or if I were doing more high-end things where spiffy-looking gear is a must, I'd take it to work more often than I do. As it is I have a considerably lighter no-name pak-a-seat that works better for grab'n'go, but still has room for pretty much everything I might need.

But I'd still buy a Sidekick.It's a quality piece and worth having.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Sidekick with back.

A couple years ago I thought about going smaller and ordered a Steelseat.com light weight model seat. I had it less than two weeks and put it up for sale, missed the sidekick compartments and lid.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

With a sidekick for sure. One compartment is the perfect size for strings, and the other larger one is perfect for tools and my pick and bar case.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

Bill Ferguson · From: Milton, FL USA

Yep, the sidekick is quite heavy once it is loaded with all your "stuff", but even at my age and weakness, I prefer the sidekick because:

I only have to carry it in and out of a gig. So I can use a cart if needed.

It seems to be more sturdy on the floor with the wider leg spread.

I have a spare of everything right there with me and don't have to run to the car if something breaks.

It is just plain comfortable.

PERIOD

And you won't find a better person to deal with than Dan Rollans. He has continued the great business his dad started and kept his dad's values. that is enough for me.
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AUTHORIZED PEAVEY, George L's, Goodrich dealer. I have 2 steels and several amps. My current rig of choice is 1993 Emmons LeGrande w/ 108 pups (Jack Strayhorn built for me), Goodrich OMNI Volume Pedal, George L's cables and Peavey Nashville-Session 112 or 115.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

A Steelers Choice with the sidekick can't be beat. Very Happy

Erv

Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

The only thing about the sidekick is that it makes the seat a bit bigger & heavier.
But, since you'll sit on it more than schlep it, I say go for it.

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

Sidekick. That’s where my spare strings, cutter and tuner stay. Break a string? Don’t have to get up to do it.

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

I bought one last month and did not get the Sidekick. I will give it 6 months to see if I need one.
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Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I have three problems with the pack-seats. First, they're far heavier and sturdier than they need to be. (Some have as much aluminum trim as a small motor home. Laughing

) Second, I don't care for the "cube" design, which is bulky and bangs on my legs when I'm carrying it in confined quarters, like a narrow stairwell. Third, the "bent tube and wingnut" leg configuration seems clunky and cheap. I'd prefer legs that snap into position, and also have some height adjustment.

Not a lot to ask, but I haven't seen anything yet I'm really impressed with. Oh Well

Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

One of the coolest looking compact seat I seen was made by the Excel pedal steel guitar company. He had it at the Texas Jamboree in 2017. Haven't seen one since.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

With the side-compartment! I've been using those Steeler's Choice seats for twenty-four years now and that add-on has been so useful.

I long ago removed the dividers that come included (from the main compartment and the 'sidekick') and this increased the storage space significantly. I tend to put the less-frequently-required stuff in the part I sit upon (tools, spare volume-pedal, stomp-boxes, etc) and, in the sidekick, I keep strings, Allen wrenches, tuners, spare picks-and-bars. For theatrical rehearsals, there's a supply of soft-leaded pencils and an eraser.

And.... if you keep the lid flipped open, it acts as a tray for coffee and biscuits. Rehearsals are less tedious then. Smile

Mine is a bit weighty with all that stuff inside, but it's a one-time lift and, as has been said, it can go on a hand-cart. It's one of the best steel-guitar-related products ever produced and will last you a whole career.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

It’s just a matter of “trade offs”.

The sidekick seat is uber-convenient when an on-stage string break occurs, but is a PITA to carry & load. I feel similarly about back-rests. They’re more comfortable between songs, but complicate loading and hauling. Also, I developed sloppy posture while playing white a back-rest which negatively affected my playing (such as it is).

Currently, I tough-it-out with a plain old cube steel seat.

Steve Schmidt · From: Ramsey, MN, USA

To paraphrase my friend Mike Skaggs. “Everything affects everything”. Many years ago I bought two of the sidecar with backrest option. I carry two Emmons volume pedals. I have the space so I use it. It’s really heavy. I leave one at home for practice. I replaced the padding on the one I take out and gig with. I never ever use the backrest so I decided to ditch it. I also can’t tell you the last time I broke a string. The next sear I buy will not have the sidecar nor the backrest. Keep it simple. I’m also liking the skb3611 for a steel case.

David Farrell · From: San Diego, California, USA

I love my seat with the sidecar & back rest.
I have MXR micro phaser, MXR echoplex & HOF reverb pedals that live in the side car.
I have harmonicas that live in the lid of the sidecar & stay put with hair ties that hook over small screws.
The standard size MXR pedals squeeze in & stay put. The sidecar is just the right size for the MXR pedals.
I leave the pedals plugged in, so all I do is take out the cables that are already plugged into the pedals & run them to the amp & volume pedal.
I use a Volto Pedaltrain for power. I do unplug that to recharge between gigs.
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Dave

Fender pedal steels, amps & guitars. '73 Sho~Bud PRO 1 CUSTOM. Emmons ReSound'65 S-10 4x5.

Pete Grant · From: Auburn, CA, USA

Sidecar and Backrest.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Yip !!!!

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14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.

Harrison Dole · From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

sidekick seems like the perfect size to hold a bev.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

To add to my Sidecar vote, I also have a Studio Slips "clamshell" cover for my seat. The seat's about 5 years old and still looks new.

memphislim · From: Austin, Texas

Sidekick

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