benches for old uprights

Dave Nereson davner@kaosol.net
Wed, 17 Dec 2003 13:09:16 -0700


    There are still a lot of old uprights around.  But no benches!  Not ones that are high enough, anyway.  One's forearms should be approximately parallel with the keytops, and with the fingers curved, this puts the forearms about 3 inches higher than the keytops.  I have an old upright with the ketops 30 3/4" from the floor.  In order for my arms to be in the proper position, my spin-up piano stool has to be at 21", and I'm a six-foot adult.  
     My customer's upright has its keytops at 32" from the floor, which for an adult would require a bench at more like 22" -- for an adult.  But she has little kids.  And she wants to be able to put the sheet music in the bench.  
    Now, you can get organ benches that are 22" high, but in only one style and no choice of wood or upholstered top or leg style.  They hold some music, but not much.  And they tend to be cheap, spindly, and a bit unstable.  
    The adjustable ones don't hold music, nor do the spin-up stools.  All the other piano benches are too short, except for one made by GRK in the style of the old upright benches, with the bracing underneath between the legs.  It is 22", but also $230.  That's the only one I can find between:  Schaff, Pianotek, Jansen, Poeschl, Steigerman, and Europa.   And no, the local dealers don't have any used ones.  
    Anyone know of any other bench companies?  With all the old uprights out there and kids taking lessons on them, with their piles of sheet music, I'd think there'd still be some demand for high benches.  Otherwise they gotta sit on a phone book or something.  Yes, I could tip it on its back and put shorter casters on (Maybe! -- if the bottom board doesn't scrape the floor or anything) but what a hassle!
    -David Nereson, RPT


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