I need a stool. How to minimize on stage?

[Ravenblack67]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acce...r-ii--guitarist-stool-and-stand-with-footrest
Folds flat for transport, acts as a guitar (and beer ) stand too so on your good days you can just use it for that.

I have the same stool/stand and it works just fine. I used to stand and play but after 42 years of heavy basses, I had to start sitting.

 

[macmanlou]

I use Link Removed, with its optional backrest and footrest, at work every day behind a tall service counter/desk, and it's easy to adjust to a playing position. It's pricey, but it's the only one I've found durable enough to last. I bought mine from Invalid Link Removed.

 

[lfmn16]

I bought a stool just like the one in your pic. I was in a motorcycle accident and couldn't stand for a whole gig for years. I just used it periodically during the night and set it off to the side of the stage. Now I play keyboards and the bass on Studiologic pedals for about 8 tunes a night so I have to use the stool again.

Besides, we're bass players, nobody pays any attention to us!

 

[Alfonso Alba]

Fire the drummer and replace him yourself. Then you get to use a stool.

 

[Westsailor]

if i was going to 'lean on it' , more than sit , ... i'd want some rubber feet of some kind down there to keep it from sliding out from under me ..!!

I bet you could find crutch tips that would fit

 

[DirkP]

I use this one on allmost evey gig...
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Another user mentioned it too, I am Nr. 3. They are really comfortable for playing, I love the possibility to rest your feed not only on the ground, I love it, that it revolves. They look cool too. I have the small one.

O.K. you mentioned something about tort guards etc.
I hear you:

 

[tycobb73]

I have cerebral palsy. With it comes back problems and terrible balance. The band knows to save some wall space for me to lean against.

 

[CaseyJ]

Man, I would roll a lazy boy recliner out on the stage.

 

[fingerguy]

I have a metal folding chair that I bought at Target and it works great. Takes a second to fold/unfold and easy to carry.

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[Jebberz]

Bought the same stool as the Fender one, but plain, at Canadian Tire for 20$ on special. Did the job well for keyboard playing and long rehearsals.

 

[bassplayertom77]

If anything is worth doing, it's worth doing right

 

[fingerguy]

If anything is worth doing, it's worth doing right

View attachment 2308593

 

[fingerguy]

Also took me a bit to find it for I couldn't remember the brand but finally did: Sound Seat

Before I got into bass I was an avid acoustic finger-picking player (the reason for my handle). When I was looking for chairs this was recommended to me time and time again especially due to how comfortable they are. I was giving it serious consideration but didn't like how it took up room and the one that you can break down and is perfect for gigs takes about 5 minutes to break down as well as put together. So for that reason I got a padded folding chair that I can fold and put away in seconds. Also if I want to have my leg raised, I have a small folding step stool that I found at Bed Bath and Beyond. I used to own the one that you can find at most music stores but it was so cheaply made in just a few days I folded that thing with my leg weight (hey I am not that fat).

Anyway, I say folding chair but if you want to get fancy then Sound Seat based on recommendations.

SoundSeat Seating for Drummers, Guitarists,Keyboard Players and Sound Techs

 

[JRA]

Does anyone else here use a stool on stage?

yes, it's always there, whether i use it or not!

I thought of a drum throne, but they tend to be a bit short....

i use a drum throne: many thrones can be adjusted to a maximum height which allows sitting/leaning as opposed to the usual sitting/squatting most drummers use. mine cost less than $100 (back in the day).

 

[Worldeeeter]

 

[fingerguy]

View attachment 2308598

You know, that would be a cool name for a band.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I have a nice drum stool. The thing is built like a tank. I believe that it is a Yamaha. It looks much like the one below. The height is adjustable.

Find whatever works best for you. Personally with back issues, it is important not to have a stool that is too high. You want your feet planted firmly and square on the ground to prevent stressing one side of your back or the other. Sit up straight.

Depending on your back condition, be it pinched disk, sciatica, etc., it helps a lot to do some stretching exercises at home and then again before picking up your bass. The type of exercises will depend on the affliction. The problem with a bass is that the weight is not evenly distributed. This can strain one side of the lower back more than the other. This can lead to issues. Carrying gear to and from the stage is also a killer. Use a cart or get someone to help.

This works for me: Lay on your back, bring your knees to your chest, stretch. Bend both knees, feet on the floor. Lift on foot and position you ankle over the knee of the other leg, figure four fashion. Stretch the muscles. Repeat with other leg. There are a lot of lower back exercises that you can google to find out about. The right exercises make a big difference.

Nothing wrong with using ia chair. But it is important to treat the symptom so that you can get through the show, minimizing the pain.

 

[bdplaid]

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?

I use one of these:
FRANKLIN Bar stool with backrest, foldable - 24 3/4

I don't care anymore what people think. My feet hurt and having fallen once or twice onstage due to some other issues, I'm happy to park my carcass beside the drummer and flail away. I play better when seated, too, so there's that. I stand too, but when I need to sit, it's there.

 

[quindecima]

Get the one from Walmart, they usually have a tall one and one that is a bit shorter. I use the tall one. Who cares if people think I should be standing, it's my back. I took mine apart and re-glued all the joints with Titebond and clamped it back together, very strong now.

 

[AcridSaint]

If you want something that's actually comfortable and not crazy expensive, get a posing stool. I have two from Cowboy Studio (read CHEAP ones) and they have held up for the last 3-4 years of photography.

Also, bassists aren't allowed to sit and play???