CE FOOT STOOL ON EBAY UK.

[IAN SALTER]

I can't imagine what else it would be,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187388378723?_skw=vintage+banjo&itmm...

[Richard William Ineson]

Every home should have one.

[IAN SALTER]

I see that it was discussed on here before and this advertisement was posted

[Joel Hooks]

I’ve got two of these.  One was purchased in England and shipped to me by a very kind person.  The other popped up on eBay US and I threw a lowball at them which they took (well below this one).  I’ve also made some copies and have a copy I kept for myself.

Technically these are for Spanish guitar, and it was the era of Segovia when these were developed.  Interestingly they are kinda short for that and have seen photos of Julian Bream and others using these with a phone book underneath to make them taller.  The cheap metal folding ones (developed in Japan) are much better for guitar.

However, I use one of these pretty much every time I play.  Under the left foot, with knees together, it raises my left thigh forming a more stable base with the banjo rim on my right thigh. 

[Trapdoor2]

I made a copy based on photos/measurements from Joel. I re-designed it to be more compact, more easily stowed, and it uses fewer components (no springs). I find them uncomfortable, but never really gave it more than a few minutes trial. If I made another, it would be angled a bit so my foot didn't sit flat...maybe make a secret compartment for a half-pint flask of liquid courage. ;-)

[IAN SALTER]

There are a number of articles and discussions on various websites, about injuries caused by the long term use of footsteps and the development of guitar holders as an alternative to them.

[Richard William Ineson]

Here is an interesting guitar/banjo footstool made by Alfred Weaver. It was stowed in the case with a Weaver five string which I bought in the 1970s. I've never used it as I have couple of old guitar footstools which I did use at one time, one of these got broken and the other I replaced with a thick anthology of Jeffrey Archer's stories when I got to a gig without my footstool one time.

[Richard William Ineson]

Richard William Ineson said:

Here is an interesting guitar/banjo footstool made by Alfred Weaver. It was stowed in the case with a Weaver five string which I bought in the 1970s. I've never used it as I have couple of old guitar footstools which I did use at one time, one of these got broken and the other I replaced with a thick anthology of Jeffrey Archer's stories when I got to a gig without my footstool one time.

[Richard William Ineson]

Another photo

[Richard William Ineson]

And another photo

Richard William Ineson said:

Another photo

[Jody Stecher]

Indeed. Spine, pelvis, even shoulder...  everything gets put out-of-balance through raising one foot for a prolonged period.

IAN SALTER said:

There are a number of articles and discussions on various websites, about injuries caused by the long term use of footsteps and the development of guitar holders as an alternative to them.

[Joel Hooks]

Thanks for sharing those photos Richard, that is a super cool piece of Weaver kit!

[Joel Hooks]

I think your design is better than the CE version.

They are not for everyone.  The last couple of ABF rallies I have not used mine.  I have found that many people now hold their banjos between their thighs.  When I do that I find myself slouching and collapsing my chest which restricts breathing.  For me the stool is a compromise so that I do not have to clamp the rim to my body with my forearm. 

Trapdoor2 said:

I made a copy based on photos/measurements from Joel. I re-designed it to be more compact, more easily stowed, and it uses fewer components (no springs). I find them uncomfortable, but never really gave it more than a few minutes trial. If I made another, it would be angled a bit so my foot didn't sit flat...maybe make a secret compartment for a half-pint flask of liquid courage. ;-)