Topic: Piano bench recs

Can anyone recommend an adjustable piano bench that gets up to about 23 inches height in the US? Preferably not too expensive. I have been using an Auray that is faulty, so that brand is out for me. Thank you!

Soundblaster ZXR, ASIO4ALL. 96khz, ~2ms buffer. Little to no pop/crackle on Realtime priority.
I have posted several times about tweaking Pianoteq

Re: Piano bench recs

I had zero luck in my online piano bench search a few years ago.  I finally found a damaged Jansen Duet at a local dealer/repair shop that they gave me a deal on, which then I fixed up.  So, you may have better luck if there's a piano repair shop in your area, also asking a local technician could be good: they and their colleagues often come across used/vintage items like benches (if the piano was thrown away but the bench was fine) that they don't necessarily have a ready means of selling, storing, or repurposing.

What's tricky with online piano bench orders is that anything actually sturdy risks being disproportionately expensive to ship.  So most online "deals" will get a bench that comes in a very thin box which then you assemble, and I never trusted that kind of build quality for this purpose.  It's also possible that a chain music store that will necessarily have to freight ship products between distributors and store locations will again have a better deal per dollar on quality, as their shipping costs are distributed across a large product line of pianos, organs, etc.

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Pianoteq Studio & Organteq
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Re: Piano bench recs

bani223 wrote:

Can anyone recommend an adjustable piano bench that gets up to about 23 inches height in the US? Preferably not too expensive. I have been using an Auray that is faulty, so that brand is out for me. Thank you!

I have a very pricy Hidrau and still found I like this one better.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail...ble-height

Re: Piano bench recs

I've been eyeing this Roland adjustable height bench that goes up to 22.8 inch.  Price seems reasonable, too.

https://www.amazon.com/Roland-RPB-300BK...B072BQBW1V

Re: Piano bench recs

Haven't found a suitable one myself either (quality/price). I own a couple of cheaper ones: they are reasonably confortable and adjust to the proper height. However, they both have an extremely irritating flaw: they creak! I tried everything to fix it (tightening screws, levelling, etc) to no avail. Particularly when recording some acoustic grand playing, it has reliably ruined some (rare) near perfect audio takes

It even bothers me when playing/recording with Pianoteq...So I really have to find one that never creaks! Suggestions welcome.

PT 7.3 with Steinway B and D, U4 upright, YC5, Bechstein DG, Steingraeber, Ant. Petrov, Kremsegg Collection #2, Electric Pianos and Hohner Collection. http://antoinewcaron.com

Re: Piano bench recs

aWc wrote:

Haven't found a suitable one myself either (quality/price). I own a couple of cheaper ones: they are reasonably confortable and adjust to the proper height. However, they both have an extremely irritating flaw: they creak! I tried everything to fix it (tightening screws, levelling, etc) to no avail. Particularly when recording some acoustic grand playing, it has reliably ruined some (rare) near perfect audio takes

It even bothers me when playing/recording with Pianoteq...So I really have to find one that never creaks! Suggestions welcome.

Thanks for the replies!

I'm going to test out a return-item/open box Gator and I will check it for steadiness and creaks. These look like good recommendations and I'll follow up trying those if it comes to that.

Soundblaster ZXR, ASIO4ALL. 96khz, ~2ms buffer. Little to no pop/crackle on Realtime priority.
I have posted several times about tweaking Pianoteq

Re: Piano bench recs

This model fits two pianists, even in different pianos.

https://youtu.be/wV-zGrx9QhM?si=3zTGvRmnRCj-c948

And allow seamless piano exchange during playing. Check at 2:20

;-)

Re: Piano bench recs

Beto-Music wrote:

This model fits two pianists, even in different pianos.

https://youtu.be/wV-zGrx9QhM?si=3zTGvRmnRCj-c948

And allow seamless piano exchange during playing. Check at 2:20

;-)

lol. It's a fun video. I'm asking myself, Is this stool supportive enough for left right and center reaching? Maybe so. Do you think so? Low tech often is the way to go, but I sort of think I would be most comfortable on a piano bench shaped seat. 4 legs, and not collapsible, just the right height, would be perfect for my current situation, I must admit. I just looked up what drummers use and its called a throne.

Last edited by bani223 (21-11-2024 04:40)
Soundblaster ZXR, ASIO4ALL. 96khz, ~2ms buffer. Little to no pop/crackle on Realtime priority.
I have posted several times about tweaking Pianoteq

Re: Piano bench recs

Since we are on the subject of piano benches, I just want to recommend an alternative option. I've been using one of these whenever I am playing a digital keyboard, gigs, etc. for 20 years. It's incredibly comfortable and the back support has a lot of value to me for long gigs or practice sessions.
https://kraftmusic.com/products/roc-n-s...w-backrest
It is easy to fold up and carry to gigs, but is very sturdy, easily height adjustable, and as comfortable a stool as I've ever sat in. Drummers love these things. The back rest can slide out and it works fine without it as well.

Re: Piano bench recs

I hate piano benches. I hate cheap piano bench objects even more. Have even used a drum throne for a while, not a great solution.

For the last few years, I use an office chair with an adjustable gas cylinder that will allow me to adjust the height of the seat. On a few of them, I had to get a longer cylinder for the extra height I needed to be at a comfortable height for playing the keyboard on a typical stand.

I sometimes have gigs that last 3 or 4 or even 5 hours at a time. That's a lot of seat time. I'm old and grouchy so I want comfort.

Re: Piano bench recs

As the tide turns, I bought a backed counter height chair and sawed the legs to height. Very happy. Btw, the gator was tippy at ~23. I also tried my office chair but I couldn't get comfortable in it.

Soundblaster ZXR, ASIO4ALL. 96khz, ~2ms buffer. Little to no pop/crackle on Realtime priority.
I have posted several times about tweaking Pianoteq