Backrest on pac-a-seat or not?

Dave Manion · Post by **Dave Manion** » 12 Feb 2016 4:09 pm

Hi there,

About to splurge and buy a new pacaseat. Will I be kicking myself down the road if I don't get a backrest?
Pros or cons to having one?

Thanks for any thoughts,
Dave

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 12 Feb 2016 5:07 pm

I like mine.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 12 Feb 2016 5:16 pm

Get the backrest.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 12 Feb 2016 5:19 pm

I rarely use the backrest when playing, since I address the guitar from the front of the seat with my back upright.

When the backrest is useful is during those moments when I'm not playing, and simply relaxing and not spending energy on keeping myself upright.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 12 Feb 2016 5:22 pm

I sometimes use the backrest when playing, if my back starts getting sore from poor posture. Then I scoot the seat forward and make myself sit upright against the back. Herb doesn't have that issue because he's smart enough to sit right

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 12 Feb 2016 5:24 pm

What herb said!

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 12 Feb 2016 6:05 pm

Herb took the words right out of mouth. I say, get the backrest.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 12 Feb 2016 7:31 pm

I had both. Never again used the one without the backrest.

Andy Eder · Post by **Andy Eder** » 12 Feb 2016 7:47 pm

I must have the backrest!

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 12 Feb 2016 8:07 pm

Having owned many seats over the years, starting with a Duane Marrs ShoBud backless seat, I would really recommend the "backed' version. Most people don't use it when actually playing, but the difference in available support and posture, while waiting between songs or sets, when resting over long sound checks, etc. is worth gold in giving you options for the lower back muscles. Of course I'm old… but I've had that opinion since my first seat with a back.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 12 Feb 2016 8:56 pm

I've got two pac-a-seats-an Elite Seat and in 2003, I got my current pac-a-seat, an Out West. The Elite's got a back, but the Out West doesn't. Both are comfortable for me. The Out West is probably my favorite and it's the one I use when I play steel guitar shows in Georgia, at home, and at my church.

Jim Cooley · Post by **Jim Cooley** » 12 Feb 2016 9:08 pm

Backrest-definitely.

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 12 Feb 2016 9:21 pm

Another vote for "with". You won't be sorry you got it.

Howard Steinberg · Post by **Howard Steinberg** » 13 Feb 2016 6:06 am

Without the back rest it's easy to adjust your position on the seat. I think that this particularly holds true for tall people. After some years without the backrest, I started having some back pain following 15 minutes of sitting. I broke down and ordered a backrest from the manufacturer of my seat, which helped with my situation. I would say to get the back rest unless you think it's worth a try to go back rest less. Installing the seat back, after the fact, is pretty easy.

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 13 Feb 2016 7:24 am

Others may have a better / cheaper source, but I bought a replacement bass boat style seat at Walmart for $15.00. , just to get the hinges. They are the exact ones that some of the better steel seats come with. Adding a back was easy, as all the holes in the hinges are pre-drilled.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 13 Feb 2016 7:39 am

I have two Steelers' Choice seats with back-rests.

I'm old and have lower-back pain - the rests are invaluable to me. Quite apart from the time we spend not playing (I, too, do not use the rest when actually playing steel - wrong posture) I've found myself taking one of my seats to orchestra-pit jobs when I'm not playing steel. Playing guitar or banjo during a two hour show I find myself leaning back as I play - I can't imagine the effort that would be needed to sit upright without any help!

I say 'Get that back-rest'.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 13 Feb 2016 8:33 am

I guess that I'm the odd-man-out. I removed the back off my seat.

It encouraged bad posture, made the bench "tippy" when unseated and more of a pain to transport. With the back, it's awkward to carry and takes up more space when loading gear.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 13 Feb 2016 8:36 am

I'm never even tempted to lean back when playing steel - that's just counter-productive - but I spend too much time laying out to not have something to lean on.

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 13 Feb 2016 11:05 am

PRO...Backrest

Dave Manion · Post by **Dave Manion** » 13 Feb 2016 11:23 am

Wow, some great feedback here guys! Much appreciated.
I need to keep working in my posture (I tend to favor one hip or the other a little, and do a little slouching), but having the backrest to "give you options" while not playing seems pretty ideal.
I currently have an old Sho bud seat a friend reupholstered with motorcycle seat material. I wish that was offered instead of the cloth I see the new makers using, but they say it's tough and keeps you cooler. I just hope it holds up "in the van".
Thanks again for the advice. Love the forum!
Dave

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 13 Feb 2016 1:02 pm

Roger Rettig wrote:I'm never even tempted to lean back when playing steel - that's just counter-productive - but I spend too much time laying out to not have something to lean on.

I only lean back when I am not playing. I couldn't play with my back against the backrest. I tried because of the 2 herniated disks in my lower back.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 14 Feb 2016 3:41 am

+1 .....Backrest

Norbert Dengler · Post by **Norbert Dengler** » 14 Feb 2016 4:05 am

not for me, i`m 54 but still in good shape, i swap from steel to guitar and 5 string banjo so the simple seat suits better to me.
and it`s easier to carry

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 14 Feb 2016 8:26 am

I am in a theatre production this weekend, and I was thinking that a backrest would be a fine thing to have - a lot of sitting listening to the play and waiting for the next song. I don't currently have one and I like the fact that my seat is very compact, but I can see the advantage in a situation like that.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 14 Feb 2016 8:29 am

Right, Bob - and it looks better than the alternative: slumped over the steel guitar fast asleep!

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Backrest on pac-a-seat or not?

Backrest on pac-a-seat or not?

Back rest