Who Invented The Pack-a-Seat?

Adam Ollendorff · Post by **Adam Ollendorff** » 23 May 2006 12:20 am

Does anybody know who built the first steel guitar seat designed to hold gear and be sat upon?

Thanks!

Adam

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Sho Bud Pro-I, Fluger/Marrs RGS, Dobro Dobro, National Dynamic Lap Steel[This message was edited by Adam Ollendorff on 23 May 2006 at 12:01 PM.]

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 23 May 2006 1:15 am

Adam,

More than several times I've heard it credited to Duane Marrs, while he was in the employ of Sho-Bud.

If Duane's looking in perhaps
he can 'confirm or deny'?

Was it the late '60's?

Smiley Roberts has what may
be one the the originals.

But have you wondered who came up with
the Knee-Lever? . . . and 'when-ish'?

~Russ[This message was edited by Russ Wever on 23 May 2006 at 02:16 AM.]

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 23 May 2006 3:41 am

Russ,

Duane told me years ago that he built what was to his knowledge the first Pack-a-seat, and I believe he said that was what he named the invention.

I used to hang around a lot at his various workshops over the years and got to see up close, the inventor side of Duane. The seat is just the very tip of the iceberg.

The man is a brilliant inventor with an extremely analytical mind.

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John Drury
NTSGA #3

Ernest Cawby · Post by **Ernest Cawby** » 23 May 2006 4:08 am

I bought one in 72 do not know how long they had been building them. Just sold mine last year, wish I had kept it for practice room.

ernie

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 23 May 2006 5:49 am

I have an old Sho~Bud seat and it would be nice if Duane had built it.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 23 May 2006 8:53 am

Shot Jackson said that it would never catch on when Duane showed it to him. Duane is one of a kind.[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 23 May 2006 at 09:54 AM.]

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 23 May 2006 10:37 am

Duane came up with the idea from his wife's sewing machine seat. When I went over to his house to see the prototype,he asked me if I thought that steelers would be interested in something like that. I told him I didn't know,but I DEFINITELY wanted one. I asked him how much it would cost. He told me that he would have to have,at least,what he had "tied-up" in it. I said,"How much is that?" He said,"37 dollars". I gave him the cash right then & there. I still own that original seat. If anyone ever starts a "Steel Guitar Museum",I just might donate it to them. I guess that's my only "claim to fame" in the steel guitar world.

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.</pre>

Adam Ollendorff · Post by **Adam Ollendorff** » 23 May 2006 11:00 am

Thank you, gentlemen. I'm once again reminded of how utterly fantastic this forum is. And what a genius Duane is. And, yes, I'm curious about the knee lever!

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 23 May 2006 11:12 am

I copied a photo of a Miller pack-a-seat, and made my own, with modifications, in late 1969. So Miller had one then - 1969.

Thanx,
Jim

Don LaCourse · Post by **Don LaCourse** » 23 May 2006 1:31 pm

i still have a sho-bud seat i bought in 1972, i ordered it from sho-bud new for 59.00, don.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 23 May 2006 2:00 pm

Don L, I have a 72 also. It's a bit ragged, and I had to replace the latches. But it's the only seat I've ever had.

Don LaCourse · Post by **Don LaCourse** » 23 May 2006 3:33 pm

mine is still in pretty good shape, as i remember i also bought new sho-bud volume pedals, for 59.00, and my first D10 pro. i bought new in 1972 for 1500.00, how time flies. DON.

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 23 May 2006 8:40 pm

Here;s mine.Not a very good shot.But it's all I have on file.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 23 May 2006 11:00 pm

Good grief Bobby,that thing's IMMACULATE compared to mine!

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.</pre>

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 24 May 2006 10:09 pm

I guess no one at Sho-Bud ever forgave me, but; I bought one of the very first Pac-a-seats from the store downtown when the going price was $40 and I was only charged $20! It's the only pac-a-seat I've ever owned and it's been worked on several times, but; I still use it today! I keep threatening to get a new seat w/back, but; haven't followed through with my threat yet! I don't really have room/need for more equipment anyway! But, my back would appreciate it!

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“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
Current Equipment

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 25 May 2006 8:19 am

I saw Barry Sless recently (pedal steel and guitar player for several Jam Band groups), and he had a pac-a-seat that was closer to the size of a padded piano bench.
Looked and carried like a suitcase when broken down.
More of a pac-a-bench!
[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 25 May 2006 at 09:19 AM.]