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Author Topic:  The Cheap Seats
Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2017 8:14 am    
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There is a good reason why my HHH nick name is "Cheap Date"

I was needing a seat at the right height for playing my steels.
Found this one at Walmart cheap, but can't remember the exact price.

Anyway it was taller than the regular seats, but when I got home found it was too tall so there was no room to sit under the steel.
Took the plastic feet off and got out my cheap little pipe cutting tool.
Measured off 4.5" from each leg and wacked them off.
Put the plastic feet back on and now I have a perfect seat at just the right height.

I figured the height by placing books on a regular seat until I felt I was sitting at the right place for playing steel.
Hope this helps some other cheap steeler to save a few bucks?
Laughing


_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
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Darrell Birtcher

 

Post  Posted 23 Apr 2017 9:28 am    
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Those are handy seats to have. I use one when doing rehearsals on bass. Only problem is that it has a serious lack of padding and my skinny butt can't sit on it for very long! Steelers with extra built in padding will probably love it.

Randy Schneider


From:
SW New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2017 9:33 am    
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Andy,

I saw those at Walmart when I was looking for a cheap seat -- didn't really think to chop the legs off. That's a great idea, but since I wasn't sure what height I wanted yet, I wanted just a bit of adjustability.

Here's what I ended up with -- the standard old 'X' keyboard bench picked up for just a few bucks off Craigslist, and some added cushion thanks to my wife's combination of nice fabric and a chunk of 2-inch latex foam.

Funny thing -- when I contacted the seller and told him I was thinking of using it for pedal steel, he said that his cousin played steel guitar. And was he ever right -- turned out that his cousin's name is Steve Palousek. Not sure if any of the family's talent genes rubbed off on the bench. Still hoping...

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Butch Mullen

 

From:
North Carolina, USA 28681
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2017 9:56 am    
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I got two like Andy has. $12.00 at Walmart. Cut one down for steel the other for playing bass. Stole a couple padded seats from some old wooden stools. Butch in NC
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2017 11:19 am     So hard
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Gee wizzzz,
So hard to have an original idea.
So they were $12.00, forgot that because I was doing what I'm always doing when we go shopping, Trying to drag my lady away and get home.

She can spend hours comparing prices while I like to do speed shopping and get back home to pick and push my pedals some more.
If I don't see what I need inside two minutes I'll skip that item.

As for padding the seat, I still have excess natural padding, but I'm doing a good job of loosing it (Dropped 30 pounds since last summer) so I may need to pad the seat by next year if I keep going.
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2017 11:23 am     Skinny Legs
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Those legs are mild steel and so thin you can cut them off with just a few twirls of the pipe cutter.
Laughing Very Happy
I think the whole job took less that 10 minutes. Shocked
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
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Ken Metcalf


From:
San Antonio Texas USA
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 3:48 am    
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Adjustable height seat, light weight. $40 has way better foam than the cheaper one.
Harbor Freight aluminum case. $25

https://tinyurl.com/kvb3apr

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-x-6-in-x-13-in-silver-aluminum-case-69315.html


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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 6:33 am     Ken Metcalf, Great seat
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Hi Ken,
Now that seat looks like a real good deal and folds up so small too.
Think I may order that too.
The box also good for some guys, reasonable price, small, well built, but I don't take very much with me...
Thanks for the tip and the links,
Andy Smile
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
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Bobby Burns

 

From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 9:32 am    
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I like to use a keyboard bench like Ken's. The older I get, the less stuff I want to carry. The folding seat and a shoulder bag carry as much as my old Pac-A-Seat, and are easier to carry, and take up less room in the car.
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Bobby Burns

 

From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 9:34 am    
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Also, not meaning to get off topic too bad, but Andy, what's the story on the archtop in the background?
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 10:48 am     Luthier semi retired
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I'm a Luthier, semi retired now except for my inlay business.
Here are some photos of that and some others from the past too;

The 16" guitar on the left was build 26 years ago. Now belongs to my son Sam. The one on the right, a 17" was just finished five years ago. The extra string is an octave G to make fuller chords with my weird style of playing rhythm when I sing.


Back and side of that guitar;



Some of the electric violins I started making about 1976 and up until the 1990's.


A couple of my flat top guitars.

_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
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Henry Matthews


From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 10:57 am    
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Andy, you never cease to amaze me at some of the work you have done. Love those violins!!!
_________________
Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 11:07 am     Thanks.
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Thanks Henry,
But now I'm getting old and lazy.
Wish I could play steel as well as I built guitars.

Now sitting around waiting for UPS to deliver the Mullen.
Frustrating, it arrived here in Springfield Saturday morning at 5:30am but they don't deliver on weekends.
Now it just says sometime after 8:00am and before 7:00pm.

Maybe you can send a pm with your phone because I want to ask a couple of questions about adjustments on the Promat?
Best wishes,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Bobby Burns

 

From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 1:00 pm    
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Very cool! I thought maybe that was one you built, but thought I'd ask. By the way, I've used your inlays in quite a few of my mandolins and banjos, and your stuff is always top notch. I also read your book back in Jr. High School, it was in our library!
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 1:14 pm     Read my book?
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Hi Bobby,
Our inlays are great...
But, Read my book? Rolling Eyes that was a mistake.
Lucky it didn't lead you down the wrong ally. Smile
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Bobby Burns

 

From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 5:49 pm    
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Back in those days, there weren't many instrument making books out there, and yours and an Irving Sloan book on making banjos, dulcimers, hardanger fiddles, and snare drums were the only ones in our school library. I'm sure I actually checked it out quite a few times! It was actually quite inspiring to see how someone made a few instruments with common tools. I'd really like to thank you for that.
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2017 6:56 pm     Loads of books now
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Hi Bobby,
Loads of books now on building all kinds of instruments and some are very very good. None are out there on building pedal steels, but there is time and I'd bet it won't be too long for that too.
Also we got the internet and youtube where we can learn so many good ways to get these things done.
Really is a wonderful age we are so lucky to be living in. Very Happy
Best wishes,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 2 May 2017 5:10 pm     This one, not so good
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Ken Metcalf wrote:
Adjustable height seat, light weight. $40 has way better foam than the cheaper one.
Harbor Freight aluminum case. $25

https://tinyurl.com/kvb3apr

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-x-6-in-x-13-in-silver-aluminum-case-69315.html



On the advice from this post I bought the seat.
It arrived here today. Too wide and very stiff.
My $12.00 seat is better because while it also is also not so soft, it fits much better with the steel and is not difficult to get on and off and pull up to the steel.
Will use that bench at the dining room table when we have extra guests.
Well that's my 2¢ and worth what you paid for it.
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Charlie McDonald


From:
out of the blue
Post  Posted 3 May 2017 5:07 am    
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Very cheap. Prototype of friend's picking stool cut down.


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Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons
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