Stools

Since entering training to become a teacher of the Alexander Technique, it is my observation that many bassists who use stools use themselves dysfunctionally. I switched to playing standing years ago. I will bring a stool to rehearsal, but I only use it to briefly rest during the countless stops and starts.
I've seen some ads in the past. I'll try to dig one up.

 

some drum style stools can get high enough for your purposes. Gibraltar has one such stool. There are also Roc-n-soc seats that work well. And a good padded barstool would work. Gibson used to sell 'em.

 

you can get a pipe bender from a major hardware store. They will work better than a wooden rod.

 

I have a little experience with bicycle tubing.
Typically the tubing will collapse unless you support the inside of the tube. And heating to the plastic state will draw the temper. I'd make a square frame and *braze*, not weld, the tubes.

 

It is wheat straw fiberboard, according to the website.

Monte

 

There's also the Quiklok D739 musician's stool, which was discussed here awhile back. A guitarist friend has one that she really likes.

 

I have a decent folding stool from Ikea, their 'Dennis' model, item #16553. 1" diameter steel tube, wood seat, very low backrest. It's a bit of a problem for me as the seat is 29" from the floor. I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam, so my right knee gets in the way of the bow when playing the E string. If you're shorter, it might work for you. I use the basic wooden bar stool mostly.
I would advise you against trying to fabricate your own. You want thin wall tubing for light weight, and you won't have ANY luck trying to bend thin wall tube at home.
I used to stand all the time, now I practice and play with the band sitting. Sometimes wish I wasn't in the habit- it's one more thing to drag around, and the attitude of the bass to my body is different enough between sitting and standing that it throws me off my game a bit to stand- I have to think more about balancing it, my intonation gets a bit more funky at times. If you can stand standing, stand. (?)

 

HA has a new adjustable seat that looks interesting.
http://www.hammondashley.com/seat.htm

 

Not quite sure why you need a stool unless you use a German bow --- If youre using a French bow you get a better angle on the strings if you stand--

 

Pizz.

Hour after hour, night after night, years on end. until you f***in' die.

Not that I'm complaining.

 

I have the seat sold by Hammond Ashley (URL above): I'm pleased with it. Light, stable and versatile. Could maybe be touch taller.... or I could make the end pin shorter.