Chair

Bones

I need to find a decent chair to sit in while practicing.

The chair that I have is making my lower back hurt if I play guitar for a long time.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Craig Bumgarner

Now THERE's a piece of gypsy jazz gear that has not been properly discussed.

Something like this might work:



Sorry, couldn't help it. Actually, I find any chair without arms and with a flat padded seat that is level with the floor works fine. Unless I am goofing off, I don't lean back in the chair when playing, so the back is of little concern. In general, a shorter seat works better than a taller one.

When I go to a festival, I sometimes take my own folding camp stool without a back as chairs are often in short supply. 8)

BluesBop Harry

Instead of only the chair I recommend you get an "A frame" support or one of these http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Dyn ... ll/1724056 so you don't have to lean forward or use a foot-stool and you can have both feet firmly on the floor... It's helped me a lot
The one I use is a bit different and you could build one yourself... If you want I could post some pictures

Passacaglia

I'd be very interested myself, guys. My back is fried, and this is a bit of an issue for me as well, so I'd be interested to see what others have done.

Steveareno

I bought a combination walking stick-fold out 3 leg stool to sit on at festivals. Have back problems and don't like standing. It's lightweight aluminum and compact, with a little built in seat. Doubles as a walking stick/cain. Quite comfortable to play guitar on and sure beats standing in the hot sun or in a crowded jam session. Probably good for busking too. You can get 'em at pharmacies/medical supply stores. About $30.00.
Swang on,

BluesBop Harry

I use to hunch over the guitar to get my hands in position or use a foot stool or the Debarre angled foot and had some back pain...
Here are some pics of the support I use. My back never hurts anymore and I'm much more comfortable playing. Gets a few days to get used to it but it's worth it...
I think they are made by a local music store but you could make one yourself with a nylon guitar strap, 3 suction cups, a 12cm x 7cm X 5cm rectangle made of plastic or wood and minimal sowing skills...

As for the chair I use a regular desk chair without arm rests or I just sit on the edge of the couch.

Bones

Thanks for the info guys. I'll check them out.

Steveo- do you have a picture of the walking stick/chair combo? I've never seen anything like that.

I think my problem is an over 55 years old thing. I'm fine during the workweek when I don't have time to play much but on the weekends I try to get in quite a few hours and then by Sunday/Monday my back is all locked up.

Jazzaferri

I use a steel case brand office chair that I took the arms off. Fully adjustable I have had it for 15 years and still works well and looks good.

bopster

After 2 torn lumbar discs I needed a good solution for back pain when I play. I use a Medline lumbar support attached to a wooden folding chair I bought at Target, and it works great at gigs.

Look at yourself in the mirror and make sure the seat is long enough and at the right height (with feet flat on the floor, and your back against the back of the chair, does the front of the seat support your legs or is there a gap? They should be supported by the seat all the way to the crick in your knees).

Passacaglia

Ideal for me would be slightly off vertical, to be able to lean backwards a tad and still be supported, in other words. Vertical, regardless of padding, etc., always brings on the furies (nerve roots screwed up by a couple different causes - winged scapula and messed up thoracic nerve, and fried roots T12-down). I'm used to chronic pain, so just tend to play knowing I'm going to flare up anyway, but it would be nice to find a better way forward.

Steve - I'd thought of these in the past, but begged off as I thought there's no way they can handle my ...shall we say, presence? - 6' 3", and a bigger boy than I used to be, at about 240 lbs. Any idea how well they hold up under....duress?

Bones

Jazzaferri,

That's a great idea. I had not considered office chairs since they all have arms. I have 2 in the other office. The arm brackets were pressed on pretty tightly (even with the screws out) but my large steel mallet took care of that :-). I like those chairs because they are fully adjustable. I'll give that a try for a few days and see if that helps.

Bopster,

I'll check out those lumbar supports. BTW, I liked your intro to Joseph, Joseph on Youtube (read: I ripped it off!)

Thanks!