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What’s the best seat????

Tom

Tom

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Ok, with all your gracious help I’ve got the tablet, app and holder sorted. Thanks everyone!!!!

Now, about that seat. Sad to say, I am considering moving to sitting while I play. I love standing and playing the 72 but I miss the options of the 4/5 full size and/or the Roland. I use a standard 4 leg chair with cushion but it can get painful after an hour or so.

So, we had some discussion it looks like back in 2017 so it’s time to revisit…..

What is your advice on the best seat for gigging with a full size? It needs to be good for 2 - 3 hours, portable enough to carry from the car to the gig, and have sturdy (perhaps removable) back rest. Could be a drum throne or other special purpose chair. Probably adjustable height would be good.

Thanks in advance for your advice!
 
the bleachers next to Doris.. best seat in the house

but seriously.. aren't you on uneven ground at the farmers
market ? it is extremely difficult actually sitting on anything
higher than a steel folding chair that is not on a level surface

leaning back is different.. pointed leg barstools i have
used for decades that i can tap slightly into the dirt so it
stays there and lean back onto it, but my legs never leave
the ground so it takes some of the downward weight,
gives a somewhat soft point of contact, and won't slide back
away from me.. the seat does swivel so i have some side to side
leeway when interacting with smiles and faces in the crowd

the stools i lucked out on are 8 steel rods welded to 8 points
on the steel swivel and 4 points on the legs.. lightweight and
very strong with one round steel ring for bracing and occasional heel

on carpeted surfaces i have gravitated to the type of stools
you see in the doctors office.. solid, medium footprint,
with a gas piston that goes slightly higher than a typical office chair
but not as high as a drafting stool.. you cannot use wheeled stools
on a smooth surface or you will end up on your ass eventually

i tried drafting stools too, they would be OK for a tall accordionist
but can be a bit too high for some even on the collapsed setting

the Drummers Thrones come in many types and the pro models
are ridiculously solid, and usually fold up like other drum stands,
but are heavy and do not raise as high as the doctors stools..
i used these back in the Cordovox days.. ok on stage but too low
on the ground when you want the eye contact too.. you would be
looking up at everyone
 
Ventura said:
that looks like it can go a bit higher than a drum throne
Click to expand...

Yes, it's a stool rather than the 'seat' that @Tom asked about. I can play my double bass standing, or sitting on the stool without adjusting the bass. I like it for gigging with my accordion or mandolin as I can sit, but still be a little higher than seated members of the audience. I think it has five degrees of adjustment. But, I doubt it would be any good for the dirt ground you mentioned, it would need a flat hard surface.
 

I'd reccomend the mid priced models- weight rating of 500 pounds or so. Not always true, but if you want it really cheap you generally get something really cheap.

I surely value stability and sturdiness over lightness and potential flimsiness. I'm only 220 or so but with the 4/6 43/120 "from back in the day" I feel like about 2200 pounds...

Height of the seat hasn't been an issue for me but I'm fairly tall to start with so aside from liking my legs with the feet out in front of me as opposed to bent knees from a too short height all the thrones worked fine going from too short to too high. Piano stools not so much. Height relative to audience is something I have no experience with.

None of them go high enough to read off a music stand which had been set at at height for standing while playing- and quite frankly I always feel as though I'm about to take the big dive when I sit on a stool that high. Not an issue when swilling ale- go figure.

Good luck- Henry
 
Last edited:
Henry D said:

I'd reccomend the mid priced models- weight rating of 500 pounds or so. Not always true, but if you want it really cheap you generally get something really cheap.

I surely value stability and sturdiness over lightness and potential flimsiness. I'm only 220 or so but with the 4/6 43/120 "from back in the day" I feel like about 2200 pounds...

Height of the seat hasn't been an issue for me but I'm fairly tall to start with so aside from liking my legs with the feet out in front of me as opposed to bent knees from a too short height all the thrones worked fine going from too short to too high. Piano stools not so much. Height relative to audience is something I have no experience with.

None of them go high enough to read off a music stand which had bee set at at height for standing while playing- and quite frankly I always feel as though I'm about to take the big dive when I sit on a stool that high. Not an issue when swilling ale- go figure.

Good luck- Henry
Click to expand...
Thanks Henry! Out of the ones hat come up on that page which one would you recommend? Please pm me if you don’t want to mention it in public. Thanks.
 
You’ve got me searching, it seems like my ideal folding chair doesn’t exist. It would be armless, very stable, sturdy/heavy duty, lightweight, comfortable, the extras would be back support, and maybe height adjustable? What I use now is the basic metal folding chair with plastic seat and backrest and sometimes I throw a cushion on it. The music camps I just came from, half the guitar, fiddlers, mandolins, banjo players used about what I have and the other half was a hodgepodge of three legged stools and wooden folding chairs and canvas folding stools. Nothing really shined or stood out as “good”. The only thing good about my folding metal-plastic chair is its very stable, heavy duty, folding, comfort is okay, and great for over flow seating at big family get togethers. Plus we have a dozen already bought. The real negative side is it doesn’t fold up very small and I need my folding wagon to transport my accordion, chair, iPad stand, but then I have room for my son’s fiddle, chair, music stand also. I’ve seen some nice folding canvas camp chairs but the usually have arm rests. My most comfortable, perfect height practice chair is sitting on the edge of my bed! The old saying is true… why stand when you can sit… or is it? why sit when you can lay down!
 
This is what I have:


Really rock solid and quite comfortable. Drummers are by and large pretty animated when playing.

Have I tried many/any of the others? Sadly enough I have to say "no".

This one appeared to meet my needs and in practice it has been fine. As I said I prioritized stability and sturdiness and that's what it has- like a tank. Height range appears satistactory I'd think, for most purposes. The setting I use, towards the lower end, is fine for me.

I tried a pretty nice bar stool (wife approved in terms of appearance-https://www.amazon.com/Topower-Industrial-Vintage-Tractor-Adjustable/dp/B072FKLM58/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2NFT8GC2GOLR2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hqmZ0g8xvAcUAMazJqFknZY21ITYzfQYvAqwGryrR5bsj8TXXE7j_T8fkrMGq4smnJm5RYthoAg3s85YQ6b-EQx613O69GrGvSDllr62kz7jzDg5ZzBcy33TD59QmxFD_Sb-L3lIarz6yJ2L5eS4zhNlzUmq6O5CitMXX2w3brvPU0Io253H0qUJk43cf68NtQO0OaQCiuFWOwyXlaGJQFTH0fvpBURum3FMtREA7XxpSuw7l5ui9gTeAI2fAOF9NvKHx1d_ztRSGOML-hbeMB51DDP3qUwHgJNqFt1-6qM.OZyBerG5ei9fPNzOjE1E2eRDjKSgiXKGgD0IErT_eTo&dib_tag=se&keywords=bar%2Bstool%2Bwood%2Btop%2Bcast%2Biron&qid=1752505020&s=home-garden&sprefix=bar%2Bstool%2Bwood%2Btop%2Bcast%2Biron%2Cgarden%2C94&sr=1-5&th=1 ) and it goes high enough with a built in foot rest that I coule read off a fully set up music stand (set up for use standing).

But* with a full sized accordion I simply felt tippy when going for the gusto. "Gusto" fine, brokeh shoulder after tumbling not so much. Would not have been an issue for me ten years ago. I do like the back rest- not so much for back support as for stability in positioning when playing.


*Starting sentences with "But". Mr Zimmerman would have had my hide back in the day...
 
Weirdly, one of the best seats I've used on a gig was a regular old, black, padded, adjustable-height office chair, that someone had removed the back/arms from and left on the stage for anyone to use.

Then end result was sort of like a drum throne, but on wheels! So if I needed to go over to one part of the stage to tweak something, or plug something in, etc., I'd just scoot right on over there (wheee!) without having to get up.
 
Henry D said:
This is what I have:


Really rock solid and quite comfortable. Drummers are by and large pretty animated when playing.

Have I tried many/any of the others? Sadly enough I have to say "no".

This one appeared to meet my needs and in practice it has been fine. As I said I prioritized stability and sturdiness and that's what it has- like a tank. Height range appears satistactory I'd think, for most purposes. The setting I use, towards the lower end, is fine for me.

I tried a pretty nice bar stool (wife approved in terms of appearance-https://www.amazon.com/Topower-Industrial-Vintage-Tractor-Adjustable/dp/B072FKLM58/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2NFT8GC2GOLR2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hqmZ0g8xvAcUAMazJqFknZY21ITYzfQYvAqwGryrR5bsj8TXXE7j_T8fkrMGq4smnJm5RYthoAg3s85YQ6b-EQx613O69GrGvSDllr62kz7jzDg5ZzBcy33TD59QmxFD_Sb-L3lIarz6yJ2L5eS4zhNlzUmq6O5CitMXX2w3brvPU0Io253H0qUJk43cf68NtQO0OaQCiuFWOwyXlaGJQFTH0fvpBURum3FMtREA7XxpSuw7l5ui9gTeAI2fAOF9NvKHx1d_ztRSGOML-hbeMB51DDP3qUwHgJNqFt1-6qM.OZyBerG5ei9fPNzOjE1E2eRDjKSgiXKGgD0IErT_eTo&dib_tag=se&keywords=bar%2Bstool%2Bwood%2Btop%2Bcast%2Biron&qid=1752505020&s=home-garden&sprefix=bar%2Bstool%2Bwood%2Btop%2Bcast%2Biron%2Cgarden%2C94&sr=1-5&th=1 ) and it goes high enough with a built in foot rest that I coule read off a fully set up music stand (set up for use standing).

But* with a full sized accordion I simply felt tippy when going for the gusto. "Gusto" fine, brokeh shoulder after tumbling not so much. Would not have been an issue for me ten years ago. I do like the back rest- not so much for back support as for stability in positioning when playing.


*Starting sentences with "But". Mr Zimmerman would have had my hide back in the day...
Click to expand...
Thanks Henry, looks pretty nice!
 
JeffJetton said:
Weirdly, one of the best seats I've used on a gig was a regular old, black, padded, adjustable-height office chair, that someone had removed the back/arms from and left on the stage for anyone to use.

Then end result was sort of like a drum throne, but on wheels! So if I needed to go over to one part of the stage to tweak something, or plug something in, etc., I'd just scoot right on over there (wheee!) without having to get up.
Click to expand...
Sort of like this, a US Gov surplus secretary's chair from the 1950's; unbelievably durable, very adjustable in pretty much every way, wonderful in use, a collosal pain to move anywhere other than rolling about the one room it's in. The original upholstery (grey vinyl) gave up about 1980 at which point it was re-covered with the carpet from my daughter's floor.

Would not go high enough for use anywhere except in a desktop height seated position- fine for my use making abhorrent noises whilst playing in my cave and for... typing at a desk.
 

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I bought the ROC N SOC Lunar model stool a few years ago. Very sturdy with its 5 feet and hydraulic lift. Even on dirt, it is sturdy. It is very comfortable and easy on my back. Mine has the optional back support, but I notice on Amazon the back support is no longer offered. Doesn't fold up but it fits in my SUV with my other gear.
 
jdepiero said:
I bought the ROC N SOC Lunar model stool a few years ago. Very sturdy with its 5 feet and hydraulic lift. Even on dirt, it is sturdy. It is very comfortable and easy on my back. Mine has the optional back support, but I notice on Amazon the back support is no longer offered. Doesn't fold up but it fits in my SUV with my other gear.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this recommendation J. I see that Sweetwater (USA) does carry this throne with an optional backrest.
 
Tom said:
Thanks for this recommendation J. I see that Sweetwater (USA) does carry this throne with an optional backrest.
Click to expand...
please keep me in the loop with regard to a seat ...................suitable for gigs .............MRi scan revealed L4 and L5 disc in my lower back have a bulge
I stood up for years on my little gigs..............over the years all the lifting of equipment etc has caused my back problem ......it is easing ...
I bought an Accordion stand ......it just feels so different to play ......so far I do not enjoy the playing experience with the stand .
I have it set up at home and I appreciate just standing behind the accordion and not having to lift the instrument up !. playing wise I get fed up of playing after a couple of tunes ..................
but for gigging ,lifting the accordion on to the stand and fixing it securely is not easy on your own unaided . and that would not do my back any good at all !!

Just my thoughts ..............so far ....................yes I'm being a moaning old tinker today !!
 
Giovanni said:
please keep me in the loop with regard to a seat ...................suitable for gigs .............MRi scan revealed L4 and L5 disc in my lower back have a bulge
I stood up for years on my little gigs..............over the years all the lifting of equipment etc has caused my back problem ......it is easing ...
I bought an Accordion stand ......it just feels so different to play ......so far I do not enjoy the playing experience with the stand .
I have it set up at home and I appreciate just standing behind the accordion and not having to lift the instrument up !. playing wise I get fed up of playing after a couple of tunes ..................
but for gigging ,lifting the accordion on to the stand and fixing it securely is not easy on your own unaided . and that would not do my back any good at all !!

Just my thoughts ..............so far ....................yes I'm being a moaning old tinker today !!
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear about you back Giovanni, hope it improves quickly for you. I approached the gigging problem by going with a lighter, 72 bass 3/4 accordion. Not ideal but gets the job done. If I play a full size I will definitely have to sit down. Still thinking about the seat….. Good luck to you!
 
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