Double Bass Best Stool Ever

[CaseyVancouver]

Fresh paint. Boston approved.

Few years back picked up two stools off Craigslist for $40.
After opening my mind up a bit, cut 4” off this one.
Sit now with both feet on the floor, Joel Quarrington style, but without the foot lift.
Both my basses have angled endpins. My how things have evolved.

 

[CryingBass]

Aye. A sturdy mount.

 

[Don Hergert]

Hmmm, looks a little rickety on that cardboard box. Have you tried it without?



"May it please your feet as well as your back..."

 

[Mark_T]

26871328[/URL], member: 231715"]Fresh paint. Boston approved.

Few years back picked up two stools off Craigslist for $40.
After opening my mind up a bit, cut 4” off this one.
Sit now with both feet on the floor, Joel Quarrington style, but without the foot lift.
Both my basses have angled endpins. My how things have evolved.


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I have recently started playing with sitting again, but I think the straight pin is working best when I sit. I’m using a drum throne, something Paul Erhard put me on when he visited to play a concerto (Nino Rota), plus two yoga blocks to have my feet even.

For me the straight pin lets me keep the bass and chair lower. In fact I have the pin all the way in. I have a very short angled pin but it seems to add height without much balance.

I plan to continue standing for solo work but for orchestra stuff, especially on the extension, sitting has been feeling better than ever.

 

[kerrycares]

I play 100% sitting on a little more padded surface for my 3-4 45 minute jazz sets. I don’t remember where I got this stool but it’s pneumatic with adjustable back support. At over 200 lbs and recovering from a back injury this stool works.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Hmmm, looks a little rickety on that cardboard box.

That’s what gives it the ‘Boston Sound’

 

[Don Hergert]

I have to say, I really like the simple wooden aspect of this stool Casey, almost Shaker in appearance. And black is definitely THE color.

Have you noticed if you get any nice wooden vibes transmitted from your bass through the floor through your chair to you?

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Have you noticed if you get any nice wooden vibes transmitted from your bass through the floor through your chair to you?

Totally lol

I also have just discovered another sitting option. While the paint was drying, I grabbed it’s taller sister stool. While sitting I usually use the short angled endpin, but it’s way too short for a long stool. Tried a much longer endpin. Feels like a go between sitting and standing with the bass, handy for long rehearsals.

The short stool/short endpin position with two feet on the floor is cello like. The tall stool long angled endpin, with one foot on a rung, a bit more of a traditional position. Both work well. I have not used a tall stool in years.

The long stool/long pin combo is now an option, especially if playing with a section with all high stools and I want to fit in. Options are good. What’s next?

 

[Brilee]

For me the straight pin lets me keep the bass and chair lower. In fact I have the pin all the way in. I have a very short angled pin but it seems to add height without much balance.

I plan to continue standing for solo work but for orchestra stuff, especially on the extension, sitting has been feeling better than ever.

I have my endpin out maybe three inches, so it's too short to be angled. At that length it doesn't matter anyway. I am on a stool quest at the moment. I sit at 23-24", both feet on floor. I just returned a Vestil work chair - couldn't dial in the height I wanted and I didn't like the small, springy seat. Have a Roc n Soc drum throne coming tomorrow. I need to replace my folding bar stool fast before it collapses under my butt in a rehearsal! I'm 6'3", 205 lbs. for reference. Play a 3/4 with a 41.5" string length.

 

[Don Hergert]

The Vestil stool without the rungs is the one I use. It's fully adjustable within its range and is rated for more weight. That said, yes, the seat hurts after more than 30-40 minutes.

And other than being black, there's very little artistic appeal to the Vestil. I like Casey's stool.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

I have my endpin out maybe three inches, so it's too short to be angled. At that length it doesn't matter anyway.

One’s stool and endpin choice are closely related, imho.

With my 25” stool I use the Ergonpin from Brazil. It is short, as you can see, but makes a significant difference in how the classical bass is played. The angled pin means the bass is flatter (horizontal) and allows better access to the upper register. When standing I use the longer angled post. Both are carbon. John Clayton and Rufus Reid have indicated the angled endpin helps prevent back problems.

On my other bass I use an angled wood endpin while sitting, and prefer the straight endpin while standing for jazz.

 

[LouisF]

Casey,
When you use the Ergonpin as in the photo above, do you find that it throws any additional weight on to the left shoulder? I play seated on a @24" stool (with a yoga block under my left foot) and the endpin all the way. These are adjustments I made after major cervical surgery. The bass is a bit more vertical than I would like, but I have certain compensations I make for that (especially on E/C)

I've hesitated about an angled endpin because every bass I've tried with one puts just that much more pressure/weight on the left shoulder to be noticeable - and uncomfortable.

PS: I use the ErgoBass at home, which helps get flatter angle, which I find better for bow weight, but I wouldn't want it on for a 2 or 3 hour concert.

Thanks
Louis

 

[kerrycares]

Do you miss the foot lift?

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Louis, with the Ergonpin I do not notice any additional weight on the left shoulder.
But if the angled endpins you’ve tried cause pain, I suggest sticking with what works for you.

 

[LouisF]

That's generally my feeling, Casey. Thanks.

 

[BassinCT]

I have my endpin out maybe three inches, so it's too short to be angled. At that length it doesn't matter anyway. I am on a stool quest at the moment. I sit at 23-24", both feet on floor. I just returned a Vestil work chair - couldn't dial in the height I wanted and I didn't like the small, springy seat. Have a Roc n Soc drum throne coming tomorrow. I need to replace my folding bar stool fast before it collapses under my butt in a rehearsal! I'm 6'3", 205 lbs. for reference. Play a 3/4 with a 41.5" string length.

I prefer a 23-24” seat height and was wondering about your impressions of the Roc n Soc throne in terms of comfort. Any thoughts so far?

 

[Brilee]

I prefer a 23-24” seat height and was wondering about your impressions of the Roc n Soc throne in terms of comfort. Any thoughts so far?

It is THE BEST bass stool I've ever had. It's the one I use for practicing. I have tried so many. For people who have both feet on the floor, it's hard for me to imagine something better.

The Roc n Soc is heavy, so I use this light folding one with extra padding for gigs presently:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006H0XEIW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[BassinCT]

I have also recently lowered my stool height this year (to about 24”), and am experimenting with having both feet on the floor and on blocks. This past week, I bought a Rock n Soc drum throne and am already considering using it for everything- Jazz, theater, backing choral groups. It’s a very comfortable seat! If I was still doing orchestral, I would definitely use it, but my only concern would be the appearance of the shiny chrome sticking out.

 

[BrassedOn]

I use a Gibraltar drum throne in my home studio or pit work. . Has a swivel post like an old piano stool but with a locking collar to keep the same height. Back rest. I’m not that tall but I like it close to 27” and the standard endpin out 4” so slopes a bit. A puck is a necessity. But I could switch from seated to standing if needed. Heavy as all get out, but so am I, so like the security. Feet flat on the floor. $$ but I get it on CL for cheap. I use the same for drum set. I do t think anyone is bugged by the chrome but someone in an orchestra couple spray it flat black. The base Gibraltar 9800 Series Quick Lock Throne Base

my alternate is a common “concert black” rectangular saddle seat bar height 29” stool from At Home with a couple inches taken off. Better from me than the 24” A wider seat and leg spread than the standard round or square wood stools, so feels stable and comfortable for longer session. Does not fold so takes room but easy enough in my second carry in for a jazz or combo job. Invalid Link Removed

 

[Brilee]

My latest experiment is working well. Adjustable height shop stool. Back legs at 24" and front legs at 23". Two dense foam tiles designed for gym floors, cut round and covered with an elastic bar stool cover. Bulky but not heavy, for gigs.

The drum throne is still my favorite for the home studio and practicing.