Where do you sit?

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 29 Mar 2014 1:50 pm

Seriously... most instruction material says to sit directly at the 12th fret. I find I play better (and am more comfortable) slightly to the right of that.

Where do you sit?

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 29 Mar 2014 1:59 pm

The center line of my body sits between the 15th and 17 fret. I think it varies due to where your knee levers, and pedals are placed. When I was playing ZB guitars, the right knee levers were more to the center of the guitar than other guitars were. This caused me to sit more to the left. When your right knee right lever is close to the changer, it kind of forces you to sit more to the right.

Jarek Anderson · Post by **Jarek Anderson** » 29 Mar 2014 2:11 pm

14th fret at my centre.

Ken Campbell · Post by **Ken Campbell** » 29 Mar 2014 2:54 pm

Between 15 and 17

Curt Trisko · Post by **Curt Trisko** » 29 Mar 2014 3:04 pm

I've wondered why there's variation in different pedal steels for how far to the left the knee levers and A pedal is. I sit at about the 13th fret.

Mike Wheeler · Post by **Mike Wheeler** » 29 Mar 2014 3:43 pm

I center up at about 15 and 17. But I relocate my left knee levers to be one position closer to the center of the guitar. That's to provide better access to the "C6th" pedals on my U12. Plus it gives my bar hand more room to move without me having to lean to the right.

Mike Wheeler · Post by **Mike Wheeler** » 29 Mar 2014 3:47 pm

Curt Trisko wrote:I've wondered why there's variation in different pedal steels for how far to the left the knee levers and A pedal is. I sit at about the 13th fret.

My guess is that it comes from the layout used on a D10. They seem to just leave the pedals in the same place for an E9th setup...at least for an SD10. But, like I said, I'm just guessing.

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 29 Mar 2014 3:52 pm

It all depends on how your knee levers placement/travel/and angle as well. I found that I had to switch my sitting position depending on different brands of guitars, not only position but to be able to engage all of your levers as well.

Michael Hummel · Post by **Michael Hummel** » 29 Mar 2014 4:00 pm

My (former) teacher, the great John McClung, told me "bellybutton at 14".

That seems to be working for me.

Mike

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 30 Mar 2014 2:24 am

Centered between 12th and 13th fret.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 30 Mar 2014 4:27 am

I'm centered at the 12th fret with my D-10 Franklin.

But, as has been mentioned where the floor pedals are located can dictate where to sit on a given steel.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 30 Mar 2014 4:45 am

I sit where it's comfortable to play, plain and simple! I shimmy around to find my proper "fit", taking into account the position of the levers, pedals, and neck I'll be using. Of course, this will vary depending on the guitar, and who is playing it. I don't mean to sound critical, but I can't imagine anyone paying attention to where anyone else sits, because there are so many variables involved, and it's such a personal thing.

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 30 Mar 2014 10:16 am

I was just curious as to where others might sit, as sitting at the twelfth doesn't work well for me.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 30 Mar 2014 11:32 am

Scott Duckworth wrote:I was just curious as to where others might sit, as sitting at the twelfth doesn't work well for me.

You're right, Scott! It doesn't work for me either, and that's why I suggested that players find their own "sweet spot", and ignore the ones who say "You oughta do it this way".

mike nolan · Post by **mike nolan** » 30 Mar 2014 12:16 pm

Generally, to the right of the 12th fret. I'm usually at around the 14th fret, depending on the guitar... keyed, keyless, uni, D-10, S-10, etc.
All of the "rules" about pedal steel should be considered as common sense, rule of thumb, starting points. Check with an experienced player, from time to time, during your first year or so of playing to make sure that you aren't doing something that is "really" wrong, technique wise.

Dan Moslander · Post by **Dan Moslander** » 30 Mar 2014 2:46 pm

Bellybutton on the 14th......

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 30 Mar 2014 3:17 pm

I sit as close to the steel as my rotundity will permit.

Dustin Rigsby · Post by **Dustin Rigsby** » 30 Mar 2014 6:37 pm

Dan Beller-McKenna wrote:I sit as close to the steel as my rotundity will permit.

+ 1 ! I always have to adjust my levers out to accommodate my tree trunk legs !

Niels Andrews · Post by **Niels Andrews** » 30 Mar 2014 6:45 pm

Definitely on my butt!

Ron Pruter · Post by **Ron Pruter** » 30 Mar 2014 9:11 pm

12th works for me. No C6th

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 31 Mar 2014 2:07 am

I attended a Jeff Newman seminar once and he said the buttons on your shirt should line up with the 15th fret.

David Cubbedge · Post by **David Cubbedge** » 31 Mar 2014 8:07 am

not sure about fret, but I place the pack-a-seat right in the middle between the legs and sit to the right a smidgeon.....

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 31 Mar 2014 9:07 am

FIRST: I place my right hand at the point where I"m getting the "BEST", "WARMEST", "FULL BODIED" sound that I desire. My right forearm most naturally lies across my mid-section at about a 45 degree angle to the rest of my trunk and the neck of the guitar.

With the arm positioned comfortably.........I then arrange the rest of my posterior to sit comfortably on my pack-a-seat without changing the position of my picking hand. That's where the music is MADE, not where my shirt buttons end up.

SECOND: With my 'classic body style'..., I find that my right hip is just about in line with the pickups and my left hip is just about even with the twelfth fret. I seem to cover just a little more real estate than most of you real pickers.

I let my buttons fall where ever they might wish.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Where do you sit?

Where do you sit?

I've never been known to follow the others................