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I need a stool. How to minimize on stage?

#41
I tried the half up half down method of a stool. For me it was a pride thing. I can't be too old, fat, broken... can I? I still couldn't get in a position that helped and I tried them all.
I swallowed my pride, found a sturdy arm less chair plunked my butt down and play pain free now. Of course my gigs & mates don't really give a poop unless I screw up, God bless'em. YMMV
 
#44
I recall seeing some double bassists using foldable stools with some back support. I suggest checking out the DB side. The back support can be discrete, and if you're going to go through the trouble of bringing a stool, it may as well be functionally excellent.
 
#46
MalcolmAmos said:
As most of you know I'm 82 years old. I've been using a stool for several years. Tall wooden one from Walmart with a pad. Mine is varnished a dark color, not black, but, that is a good idea.

I stand for the early songs and when needed I back up to the stool and "kinda" lean, and or sit, on it, not actually sitting - my feet are still on the ground, it's my hips that need the rest, and a lean does the job. Couple of songs and I'm ready to stand for awhile. My jumping around days are over.

Plus 1 to a tall wooden stool. $20 plus the pad and you should be OK.
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I had no idea you were 82! I'm sure you have some stories.
 
#47
Big Hoss said:
I thought of a drum throne, but they tend to be a bit short....
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If you want a drum throne nothing better than a Roc n Soc. I have one thats bar stool height that I use at home for practice. Extremely comfortable. Not cheap but very high quality.I know that it has alot of chrome but f**k em - do what you have to do to be comfortable. Very classy looking.

Roc-N-Soc Tower Saddle Stool Seat - Black
 
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#48
bherman said:
If you want a drum throne nothing better than a Roc n Soc. I have one thats bar stool height that I use at home for practice. Extremely comfortable. Not cheap but very high quality.I know that it has alot of chrome but f**k em - do what you have to do to be comfortable. Very classy looking.

Roc-N-Soc Tower Saddle Stool Seat - Black
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+1 on that. Being comfortable is the most important thing (playing well second ;)
Seriously, get what's best for your body and people won't judge. It's better than a music stand or #+*/!! IPad. My buddy's girlfriend did 3 songs with us and had a iPad for f!-:'s sake!
Besides, you are the bass player. Even if you're the front man, it's all about how you project to the audience. Ben Harper uses a chair for lap slide. Other than little Richard piano players sit. Most drummers sit ;)
 
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#49
I use a plain old wooden stool like the one you have pictured. I don't sit on it all the time, but I do lean against most of the time. So far no one is complaining. If they did, I wouldn't want to be in their pissy band anyway. I'm past the age of suffering when I play. That's when the fun ends. I've seen lots of "seasoned citizens" using stools.
 
#51
Minimize? Highlight that beast. After recovering from neck-down paralysis, and learning to walk and play again, I decided to join a band. I couldn't hold a bass while standing and play, so we sat me in a wheelchair for shows. Fortunately, we were into lots of stage costuming, so it kinda fit. People who knew the truth found it dark but funny. Strangers just thought it was a weird gimmick. Whatever. I was on stage with a band with chainsaws, flamethrowers, and shotguns loaded with glitter.
 
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#52
My guitar player has bad knees and essential tremors, but he still shreds. He has to have a stool, we have one similar to your photo he uses at rehearsal and a folding metal one (flat black) for gigs, we got at The Wal-Marts. Make sure you get a height that is comfortable for playing and sitting on for a while gig.
He bums he can't be up and moving with us, but he more than makes up for it with his music skills. You'll be fine, do what you gotta do.
 
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#53
Gorn said:
Oh the feeling definitely matches the reality.

But it's odd that 250 is the max. I'm not massive but I'm a large man. 6'1 and 275ish. It's surprising that I wouldn't be able to use this product. Lots of other Americans are larger or fatter than me, especially bass players.
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I think you're underestimating your size; I'm definitely a larger man than the statistical average at 6'2" & 200lbs, and absolute beast pro football players like Adrian Peterson weigh around 225.

Even heavyweight MMA fighters need to weigh in at or under 265 pounds, and most of them dont weigh over 250lbs.

Since it's a lightweight tubular folding stool, having the ability to bear the weight of hulking professional athletes is actually pretty impressive.
 
#54
Big Hoss said:
I've made no secret of my back issues here. Not too much detail here but it can be considered permanent sciatica, the severity fluctuates but it is there...

I've had a flare up, REALLY bad last time I was on stage. I ended up leaning my not inconsiderable weight against the guitarists (read he borrows my) GTX-60 combo amp.

I need to have a stool on stage so I can get off the leg / take pressure off my lower back and keep playing.

I know the TB "Rules Police" that say we should all play a P with flats and tort also tell me I shouldn't mix drivers, sit or lean while playing, and no pro caliber bass player wears shorts.

View attachment 2243801

Oh. Yeah, right...

Aaaaanyway. so obviously the rules gestapo can suck it.

So while we are ignoring the self appointed rules cops, how can I minimize the appearance of a stool or something like that on stage?

I am thinking about grabbing a cheap wooden bar stool like the $20.00 job at Walmart, scuffing it down so a finish will stick, priming and painting it matte black.

View attachment 2243802

Does anyone else here use a stool on stage? What should I look out for?
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I wouldn't worry about it too much, black is better but you'll be sitting on it and covering most of it.

John Ziegler from Volto sits on a stool for every show, absolutely shreds, and Volto always plays to packed rooms.

I'd also highly recommend yoga.

Both myself, my sister and a variety of other people I know in the industry and outside of it used to have back issues before developing a yoga practice; mobility only gets more important as we all age.

Good luck OP!
 
#58
Big Hoss said:
...
I need to have a stool on stage so I can get off the leg / take pressure off my lower back and keep playing.

I am thinking about grabbing a cheap wooden bar stool like the $20.00 job at Walmart, scuffing it down so a finish will stick, priming and painting it matte black.

View attachment 2243802

Does anyone else here use a stool on stage? What should I look out for?
Click to expand...

I tried out this stool in a local music store, and I found it so comfortable AND cool looking that I refused to leave the store without it:

https://www.amazon.com/Fender-30-Ba...8&qid=1503648508&sr=8-8&keywords=fender+stool

Not only did they happily sell it to me, I even scored a "floor model" discount, so I saved a few bucks.

Now I am using it every day at home, and I still love it. It's comfortable, it spins smoothly and quietly, it's built like a tank, and it still looks brand new after a few months of use.

It comes in two heights. I got the 30" size. I'm 6' tall, and I only lose a couple inches when seated, so it almost looks like I'm still standing. The rubber feet have plenty of grip, so you can "lean" on the stool (as opposed to sitting squarely on top of it) without it sliding around. The lack of rubber feet would make me a little nervous on that $20 wooden one.
 
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#59
+1 on the Roc N Soc Lunar. I have one at home with a back rest and foot rail on it for practice and love it. The only downside to the Lunar is that it will not be as easy to travel with as some of the alternatives. However, I expect that the comfort level would be appreciated by anyone with back issues.

Frankly I do not think you should minimize your need to sit. If you need to sit, then do it comfortably and act like it is completely normal. If you "own" what you are doing, people will rarely if ever question it. If you make it look awkward, they will notice it right away.
 
#60
Be sure to try out whatever you plan on using ahead of time for at least a practice (or personal practice). I recently had knee surgery that requires four weeks of crutches (two weeks left) and was required to sit the entire gig. The padded chair I was using cut off the circulation to my legs right where the pad ended on the front and did not make for a good gig experience. I also had to use a stool earlier this year for a few gigs from a bad leg cut (other leg at least) that worked better except for making me slouch (sore back the next day). Not been a good year for injuries. Good luck.
 

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