I live in the Vancouver area. I would like to get a really REALLY good stool for my bass. Particularly the kind that you would see bassists using in professional symphony orchestras. Are these stools really expensive? And how much? And where can I get them? Are there any that I can get online for a good price? Again, it has to be a superb stool. Adjustable of course. This would really help me a lot. And thank you very much for any responses. Thank you.
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Double Bass Where can I get a good double bass stool?
- Thread starter AleksofCanada
- Start date
- Aug 1, 2005
- 3,546
- 1,421
- Disclosures
- Private Inventor - Bass Capos
Choosing a good concert stool is arguably just as important as the bass or bow you use if you really want to become a top notch player. The best ones can cost well over $1k, but are worth every penny!
Sorry, I just couldn't resist
Truly, a lot of the stools you see on orchestra stages are horrible. Heavy, uncomfortable, and ridiculously expensive. Do a search of this subforum and you will find many reasonably priced but perfectly good stools.
Sorry, I just couldn't resist
Truly, a lot of the stools you see on orchestra stages are horrible. Heavy, uncomfortable, and ridiculously expensive. Do a search of this subforum and you will find many reasonably priced but perfectly good stools.
Ross Kratter
Supporting Member
- Dec 31, 2010
- 450
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- Artist, RS Berkeley, La Bella Strings, Phil Jones Bass Amplification, Remic, Jerry Harvey Audio
I like the cheap wooden stools from Walmart and Target. It's what I grew up playing on, I could never get comfortable on the expensive ones.
A lot of orchestras use these:
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I'd also love to have one of these, but a wooden barstool from Target is about $500 cheaper.
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I'd also love to have one of these, but a wooden barstool from Target is about $500 cheaper.
I have a Gibraltar "drum throne" that is very comfortable, and a fraction of the price of the concert design stool that I purchased before that. One of the big selling features of the Gibraltar, (other than the price) was that it's easy for me to transport, it folds up when I need it to etc. I also sit rather low for a bassist, with my seat about 22" off the ground, so this might not be an option for you.
Those "really REALLY good stools" that you see symphony bassists playing on? They are often owned by the orchestra, and they have a stage manager that sets them up for the section. If you plan on gigging/travelling with it, even on a not very regular basis, they SUCK to have to transport, and can take up as much space as your bass does in a vehicle.
Find a shop that has stools, bring your bass, sit on a bunch of them, and play a while. Then pack up your bass, and the stool, and see if you can make it back to the front door carrying both.
Just my $0.02
Those "really REALLY good stools" that you see symphony bassists playing on? They are often owned by the orchestra, and they have a stage manager that sets them up for the section. If you plan on gigging/travelling with it, even on a not very regular basis, they SUCK to have to transport, and can take up as much space as your bass does in a vehicle.
Find a shop that has stools, bring your bass, sit on a bunch of them, and play a while. Then pack up your bass, and the stool, and see if you can make it back to the front door carrying both.
Just my $0.02
I have this:
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It is fold-able, height adjustable, padding is very thick, foot rest, has held up very well, lightweight. The price is right, so I keep one in the car and have one set up at home. I generally use it without the back rest but the back rest is comfortable as well.
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It is fold-able, height adjustable, padding is very thick, foot rest, has held up very well, lightweight. The price is right, so I keep one in the car and have one set up at home. I generally use it without the back rest but the back rest is comfortable as well.
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Just like to add my experiences trying to find a good stool in Australia. Seems there is little choice. I tried to obtain a K&M stool but apparently the freight costs are prohibitive. That leaves this one:
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I'm wondering where the rest of my derrière is meant to go lol. And this one:
http://www.simplyforstrings.com.au/store/mobile/index.php?route=product/category&path=60_167
Doesn't seem very portable to me.
I'm thinking of getting a Tama drum throne with backrest. Looks ok. Good height range but no footrest obviously. I'm short so I don't need a super high stool. My feet need to touch the ground lol.
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I know these are at least available in the country. I just hope I can find someone who has one!
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I'm wondering where the rest of my derrière is meant to go lol. And this one:
http://www.simplyforstrings.com.au/store/mobile/index.php?route=product/category&path=60_167
Doesn't seem very portable to me.
I'm thinking of getting a Tama drum throne with backrest. Looks ok. Good height range but no footrest obviously. I'm short so I don't need a super high stool. My feet need to touch the ground lol.
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I know these are at least available in the country. I just hope I can find someone who has one!
If you are short you need the footrests for touching a ground, unless you have a very small/short bass.
I thought footrests are for not touching the ground lol. In any event my latest setup seems to work with the left foot elevated slightly. Currently I am using a thick book. A guitarists rest seemed too high.
OK, no problem. If your feet need to touch the real (and not raised footrest ground), just grab a hole in front of you for the bass. ;-)
I know that it would be better to have some more room than on the footrest to change the body position a bit after a while. At the end I preferred the standing position (less to carry and less to be able to forget...).
For the raised left foot only, check if your body is still straight, after a while it may hurt otherwise. It might work if it is not too high (which might depend on the thickness of the book...).
I know that it would be better to have some more room than on the footrest to change the body position a bit after a while. At the end I preferred the standing position (less to carry and less to be able to forget...).
For the raised left foot only, check if your body is still straight, after a while it may hurt otherwise. It might work if it is not too high (which might depend on the thickness of the book...).
Here's one that doubles as a bass stand when you're not playing: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Two of my classmates went on to serve as principals in Buffalo and Ft. Worth, and they both adopted models from Concertdesign.com for their sections.
Hope this is helpful.
Two of my classmates went on to serve as principals in Buffalo and Ft. Worth, and they both adopted models from Concertdesign.com for their sections.
Hope this is helpful.
Just an update. The Tama drum throne worked out perfectly. Very sturdy & stable, end pin stop thingy can attach to one of the legs, yoga block for a slight lift to the left foot. Bass is now very stable and comfortable. I'm sitting lower than most, a bit unconventional, but it's working. I can reach with the bow ok and still have the left hand in a good position. One happy bassist at last 
I have found a great stool for about $75. It's height adjustable, has a great padded seat and the foot rest is at a comfortable height.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HEQMQU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HEQMQU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HEQMQU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HEQMQU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
Another good option is the following available at Ikea. I have one of these and I cut the legs down a bit to fit my frame a bit better. The advantage of this is it folds up, it's light and you can easily put a padded cover on it (I use a nice gel cover that works great).
They make a 29" and a 24" model, I have the 29" and I cut it down about 3" to fit my frame.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40199211/#/50199215
They make a 29" and a 24" model, I have the 29" and I cut it down about 3" to fit my frame.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40199211/#/50199215
It's a bit spendy... But once they're gone, they're gone!
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The stool is fantastic. And the trolly aspect works great. Conversion is less than 30 sec.
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The stool is fantastic. And the trolly aspect works great. Conversion is less than 30 sec.
