I would like to buy an adjustable height piano stool. I'm based in the North East of England, but I see it is possible to buy them online.
Has anyone got any advice re where/where not to buy? Or what stools are good/bad?

I would be happy with a second hand one if it is good quality. I think a duet one would probably be too expensive.

Any thoughts welcome.

I haven't any advice but totally as an aside ...

I was very interested to see that in this year's Queen's Christmas message (which is broadcast here) the stool at the very grand Grand piano in her " music" room resembled a drum stool.

It had a round upholstered seat and fancy carved legs, quite different from the modern piano stool

I would avoid a vinyl covering. Vinyl squeaks and creaks and can be very disturbing. Also (and I am sorry there is no way to put this more delicately ), if you practice as much as a real pianist needs to, then your bottom can become hot and sweaty, and may develop a rash.

Go on to Ebay and do a search for 'adjustable piano stools'. Sometimes you can pick them up very cheaply - £25 is the cheapest I ever saw, whilst £50-£70 is pretty much standard/

I saw that, but ive seen alot of piano stools like that, ones which you spin and they come up.

There is a good selection here

I'd be very wary of buying off the internet - I have just bought an anjustable concert stool from a dealer in Bolton and what a nightmare that turned out to be. I ordered it at the end of June just as the owner was retiring and selling the business on to a chain of music shops in the north west, and paid up front the £460 cost of it. I was told it was going to be about 6 weeks delivery from the supplier (John Austin) Well the six weks came and went, and then I was given a delivery date... which came and went with no stool arriving. When it did finally arrive several days later, I was appalled at the finish on the wood - it was white and patchy in places, and totally unacceptable, so it was returned to the dealer. After several more weeks he dealer finally got back to me and said he would order a replacement.... several weeks on I had heard nothing so I called them AGAIN only to be told that he had now decided to try a different manufacturer and it was on order. Weeks later and the stool finally arrived at the end of NOVEMBER - finish is better than the original one, but there are runs in the varnish and the workmanship on the jointing of the legs leaves something to be desired... dealer not interested...only comment was he thinks this is probably the best that is on offer, and he could not guarantee better finish if he ordered another...and by the way he wasn't keen to do that as it costs him..!! I negotiated a £50 rebate but to be honest for the cost of it the workmanship is really poor, and the aftersales service from this particular shop is non-existent.!! I am sure that the original dealer (who was retiring) would have been horrified at how this saga unfolded... he was delightful man with an outstanding reputation. However, it is VERY comfy!! My point here is, if that is the service of a "reputable" dealer, there is no way I would buy off the internet!

Sorry to hear of your bad experience. I don't think it is typical, however.

Yup I noticed HRH's piano stool too! My daughter also uses a Drum Stool/Throne and it works very well and is easily transportable in the back of the car when she takes piano exams or performs. Her piano teacher suggested it and it is much cheaper than regular adjustable piano stools.

As to spining - just dont! I've yet to see a drummer spin off his Drum stool!

If you're in search of a bargain then browse round the local house clearance shops, all sorts of things turn up there including piano stools! I got mine from a house clearance place although it is not adjustable. They're very cheap though, and you can try before you buy etc.

Thanks all for the input.
sbpiano - Crumbs! what an awful saga.

I've checked out the various options, and in the end my piano tuner turned up with a decent adjustable second hand stool. It doesn't have a vinyl seat, it's cloth ... so no sweaty bottoms in [i]my house!

The house clearance shops was a good idea. If I'm ever in need of another one, I'll remember that.