Piano bench?

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

Moderator: Dave Mudgett

User avatar
Jeffrey McFadden
Posts: 368
Joined: 11 Jan 2018 7:19 pm
Location: Missouri, USA
State/Province: Missouri
Country: United States

Piano bench?

Post by Jeffrey McFadden »

Does anybody use a bench similar to this? I know about the conventional steel seat, but I'm not sure I want to schlep one. Going to practices, jams, and gigs is already enough of a project.
Image
Well up into mediocrity
I don't play what I'm supposed to.
Home made guitars
User avatar
Lee Baucum
Posts: 10859
Joined: 11 Apr 1999 12:01 am
Location: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
State/Province: Texas
Country: United States

Post by Lee Baucum »

I leave one of those at the place where we rehearse. It's very comfortable. I do have a pac-a-seat for gigs, though.
Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande

There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.


Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat
User avatar
Rick Barnhart
Posts: 3040
Joined: 23 May 2008 2:21 pm
Location: Arizona, USA
State/Province: Arizona
Country: United States

Post by Rick Barnhart »

Those cross braced piano benches are very commonly used for steel guitar seats. One of them came with my brand new Carter D10, along with a Goodrich L120. Steel seats are very useful for many reasons, but piano benches are good to have.
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe.
User avatar
Randy Schneider
Posts: 229
Joined: 30 Apr 2016 9:52 pm
Location: SW New Mexico, USA
State/Province: New Mexico
Country: United States

Post by Randy Schneider »

You bet, Jeffrey. Got this one at a bargain price on the local Craigslist, and with my wife's help, added a nice latex cushion on top. I don't cart it around, but it is very light:

Image
User avatar
Baron Collins-Hill
Posts: 157
Joined: 25 Dec 2017 8:31 am
Location: Portland, OR
State/Province: Oregon
Country: United States

Post by Baron Collins-Hill »

I'm just a beginner, but I have one of those (this one to be specific http://a.co/8oWOIEk). It works great, and I have a medium sized camera bag I found at good will for schlepping my stuff around.

Thanks,
Baron
Excel Superb U14
Quilter TT15

Free Online Mandolin & Fiddle Tune Lessons
http://www.mandolessons.com
User avatar
Don Kuhn
Posts: 487
Joined: 15 Oct 2007 4:06 pm
Location: Poetry/Terrell ,Texas, USA
State/Province: Texas
Country: United States

Post by Don Kuhn »

When I bought my Carter it came with the package IMO it could have more cushion as my boney butt sure gets sore after about 2 hrs sitting on it.
Richard Stoops
Posts: 148
Joined: 5 Dec 2016 11:41 am
Location: Ohio, USA
State/Province: Ohio
Country: United States

piano bench?

Post by Richard Stoops »

I have one at home. I have only used it when I practice (still learning steel). It is light and compact and would be fine to take out. Just wish it had a back to it, after an hour or so my back gets tired.

Dick
User avatar
Al Evans
Posts: 521
Joined: 30 Dec 2017 3:16 pm
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Re: Piano bench?

Post by Al Evans »

Jeffrey McFadden wrote:Does anybody use a bench similar to this? I know about the conventional steel seat, but I'm not sure I want to schlep one. Going to practices, jams, and gigs is already enough of a project.
....
I was thinking the same thing. I saw somewhere (probably on the internet!) that 21-22" is the ideal height for playing pedal steel. I want my arms level, especially the left one. I've been using a dining chair, which seemed a little low, so I added a cushion. It was better.

I tried the bench like yours that I have for my keyboard, and found that the second hole makes it 21" high. So I'm going to try that.

--Al Evans
2018 MSA Legend, 2018 ZumSteel Encore, 2015 Mullen G2, G&L S-500, G&L ASAT, G&L LB-100, Godin A4 Fretless, Kinscherff High Noon
User avatar
Jim Cooley
Posts: 1878
Joined: 23 Apr 2010 9:12 am
Location: The 'Ville, Texas, USA
State/Province: Texas
Country: United States

Post by Jim Cooley »

I've used one of these for quite a while. It's comfortable, solid, and portable. It has been worth every penny I spent on it. I used to carry it with my volume pedal, extra strings, cables, etc. in a separate zippered bag.

https://on-stage.com/products/view/10506/117166

I also have a steel seat with a back rest. The ability to store accessories is a plus. The back rest is a great feature. I wouldn't use a steel seat without one. Of course, they are a lot more expensive.
User avatar
Dick Wood
Posts: 3078
Joined: 2 May 2005 12:01 am
Location: Springtown Texas, USA
State/Province: Texas
Country: United States

Post by Dick Wood »

I have one I use just for practicing at home.
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.
User avatar
Bruce Bjork
Posts: 390
Joined: 15 Jul 2002 12:01 am
Location: Southern Coast of Maine
State/Province: Maine
Country: United States

Post by Bruce Bjork »

That's what I use both a home and playing out, canvas bag for all the other stuff, works great.
Banjo, Dobro, Guild D-40, Telecaster, Justice Pro Lite 3x5, BOSS Katana 100, Peavey Nashville 112 in a Tommy Huff cabinet, Spark, FreeLoader, Baby Bloomer, Peterson StroboPlus HD, Stage One VP.
"Use the talents you possess; the woods would be very silent indeed if no birds sang but the best"
Ed Boyd
Posts: 265
Joined: 21 Feb 2016 8:11 am
Location: Illinois, USA
State/Province: Illinois
Country: United States

Post by Ed Boyd »

I'm a keyboard player by trade so benches are what I started with. I already had them when I took up pedal steel. They work fine. I like the Pack-a-seat better. It holds all my stuff and the back is nice. My steel in the case is like 96 pounds alone so what more is schlepping the pack-a-seat. Without the pack-a-seat I would need something else to carry cables and pedals and tuner and spare strings. .... and having a good pack rest is nice.
User avatar
Brian Folks
Posts: 412
Joined: 15 Feb 2007 8:07 am
Location: N. Padre Island, Tx.
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Piano Bench

Post by Brian Folks »

This is the Steel Seat that I have been using only 14.95 from Wally World...with a back rest to boot...works great for me, just added an extra seat cushion for my lil' hiney 8)
Image
User avatar
Tim Russell
Posts: 958
Joined: 12 Apr 2015 7:45 am
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
State/Province: Pennsylvania
Country: United States

Post by Tim Russell »

Jeff,

I use that type of seat, and it is comfortable and rock solid. The one I have features several adjustable holes/pins, and folds flat for transport. Also have a pack-a-seat, but I think I prefer this piano/keyboard bench over it.

I pack my gear in small carry cases, suitcase style, has padded compartments, purchased from Home Depot...I think...
Last edited by Tim Russell on 3 Mar 2018 6:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sierra Crown D-10
User avatar
Randy Schneider
Posts: 229
Joined: 30 Apr 2016 9:52 pm
Location: SW New Mexico, USA
State/Province: New Mexico
Country: United States

Post by Randy Schneider »

Brian,

I started on a desk chair like that, but the seat rotated. My playing got much easier and more consistent when I went to the piano stool -- and my chair stopped spinning the opposite direction when I pushed on a knee lever!!
User avatar
Brian Folks
Posts: 412
Joined: 15 Feb 2007 8:07 am
Location: N. Padre Island, Tx.
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Brian Folks »

Yeah Randy I have a piano stool, but it's folded up in the corner...I was thinking about drilling a hole through the main tube and putting a bolt through it so it does not move, but I have not really noticed mine moving any yet...I guess I don't use my knee levers enough....Ha!Ha! 8)
Chris Reesor
Posts: 427
Joined: 9 Dec 2008 9:39 am
Location: British Columbia, Canada
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Chris Reesor »

Another piano bench user here. I like the adjustable height, 22" for me, and as a bonus, it is wide enough for my Siamese (4 legged variety) buddy to sit beside me when I play. Don't miss the lack of a back rest, but do really like the strong, stable, folds flat part.
Not expensive, either.
Excel Superb U12, MIJ Squier tele, modified Deluxe Reverb RI, Cube 80XL, self built acoustics & mandolins
User avatar
Douglas Schuch
Posts: 1504
Joined: 10 Jun 2011 9:33 am
Location: Valencia, Philippines
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Douglas Schuch »

I've been using one of those since I started playing 6 years ago. I'm a pretty big guy (got up as high as 250 before cutting out most of the sugar in my diet). I recently had to pull the vinyl off and replace the pressboard base with a piece of plywood, but that's after many years. I find I like to move it a little to the right when I play C6 - does a pack-a-seat have enough width that you can just scootch over on the seat? Or do those of you who use them find you want to move them a bit when changing necks?
Bringing steel guitar to the bukid of Negros Oriental!
User avatar
Jeffrey McFadden
Posts: 368
Joined: 11 Jan 2018 7:19 pm
Location: Missouri, USA
State/Province: Missouri
Country: United States

Post by Jeffrey McFadden »

Baron Collins-Hill wrote:I'm just a beginner, but I have one of those (this one to be specific http://a.co/8oWOIEk). It works great, and I have a medium sized camera bag I found at good will for schlepping my stuff around.

Thanks,
Baron
That's the exact one I ordered. Should be here Monday. So far I'm schlepping my other stuff in a raggedy old crossbody pack that I had laying around. Waiting to see how much more I accumulate. I was already playing a C6 lap steel, gigging a little, so much of my running equipment was already defined, mic & stand, music stand, light little wonderful Quilter Mach Two... two wheeler...
Well up into mediocrity
I don't play what I'm supposed to.
Home made guitars
Daniel McKee
Posts: 1586
Joined: 6 Feb 2009 5:15 pm
Location: Corinth Mississippi
State/Province: Mississippi
Country: United States

Post by Daniel McKee »

I've used a folding piano bench for a while now and they may lack storage space but are easy to move around or just fold up and put in the corner. I've seen a few other steel players using them as well
User avatar
Leo Grassl
Posts: 856
Joined: 5 Oct 2011 6:40 pm
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Leo Grassl »

I use that exact bench and absolutely love it. Pack a seats are great but I personally prefer that bench comfort wise and it is adjustable in height. I have a backpack that is for camera equipment that I use to hold all my accessories. To me it is easier than lugging around a pack a seat
User avatar
Tony Prior
Posts: 14718
Joined: 17 Oct 2001 12:01 am
Location: Charlotte NC
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Tony Prior »

yes, I do as well. It's part of my dedicated practice/studio space.


Image
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
User avatar
Eric Denmark
Posts: 191
Joined: 27 Jul 2016 6:38 am
Location: Mississippi, USA
State/Province: Mississippi
Country: United States

Post by Eric Denmark »

That's exactly what I use... comfortable!!
User avatar
Fred Treece
Posts: 4827
Joined: 29 Dec 2015 3:15 pm
Location: California, USA
State/Province: California
Country: United States

Post by Fred Treece »

Comfortable, sturdy, height adjustable, folds up, comes apart. Very convenient and cost effective.
User avatar
Ken Metcalf
Posts: 3716
Joined: 21 Oct 2005 12:01 am
Location: San Antonio Texas USA
State/Province: Texas
Country: United States

Post by Ken Metcalf »

Plus $30 case from Harbor fright.
Adjustable height.


Image