Hello everyone,
I've just bought an Eames Zenith DAX 1st edition, with larges shockmounts. I would like to change the X base and put a rocker base, or a dowel, or a cat's cradle. But i would prefer to have an original/authentic one (not a reedition or a reproduction).
Do you know where i could find one ?
Thanks a lot,
Rudy.
Rudy
People rarely sell those bases separately, but eBay unfortunately is probably your best bet. I have seen 'em time to time.
Good for you for wanting it to be legit. Even beyond that, I wouldn't change them out - that's just me. I like to use a chair how it is originally put together. I personally love the X bases. They are my favorite. If you do change it, try to make sure you get a version of the base (as they changed over the years) that is legit to the year your chair was made.... i.e. I wouldn't dream of putting an eiffel with plastic glides...
I have grown pretty tired of the rocker (even though I have one), the dowel and cats cradle, if only because that is the only way you see these chairs these days due to the amount of people reissuing them.
The X base is so nice and heavy. It gives this aesthetically (and otherwise physically) light chair a more solid feel and more of a sense of permanence (it is such a temporary, movable type of seating solution). Plus it has a more humble, simple vibe to it.
Perhaps you should buy a shell chair that's trashed other than the base?
My 2 cents.
LAX or SAX
They are both great. Along with the rocking base, I find the LAX and SAX the most comfortable of the different bases for armshells. They are lower, and have a greater pitch so the pressure is more on the small of your back rather than your bottom.
The SAX is a tad higher than the LAX so it's easier for tall people to get in and out. The cat's cradle is so low, I find sitting on the floor more comfortable.
american people are so coooool
hey guys
thanks a lot for your answers. Your advices are really interestings. Indeed, i've already sitted in a rocker but a Vitra one (i live in Paris,France) and i didn't feel comfortable, but to me the rockers are so beautiful, thats' why i would have loved one.
But i have purchased that beautiful DAX Zenith rope edged (elephant grey) and would prefer a lounge position.
The DAX,SAX and LAX must be more stable and comfortable than the rocker. But how can i recognize a SAX one ? Is it higher than the DAX ?
Do you know where i could find a lounge X base ?
Thanks a lot
Rudy
SAX
Is Standard height.
MAX is Medium height.
http://www.eamesoffice.com/vintage/worksheet_detail.php?id=32
The point
Was different heights served different functions. The tallest was for dining or use at a desk. The intermediate height SAX or MAX was a more relaxed posture and height (I think the catalogue suggests it's good for conversation) and the lowest was obviously for lounging.
They did not make all the different variations at the same time. Some were replaced with other models. For instance, the LAX was replaced by the cat's cradle (also known as an LAR, all the names are acronyms... Lounge Arm chair Rod base)
They basically offered three heights: a dining height, lounge height, and something in between. That is until later when they were used more institutionally and most of the demand was for dining/ desk height and occasionally an intermediate or lounge height. That's why most H bases are dining height but sometimes you'll see a lower one. Some people mistakenly think that it's a child's height.
That shows that Charles...
...Eames really wanted to satisfy everyone, and that's what made his success ! Really informative , thanks !
But unfortunately that doesn't help me finding the base that would fit me and fit my Zenith Shell...
I found someone who has one original cat's cradle base...his price is about 500$ arghh...
The cat's cradle base reproduction i found are only for narrow mounts...
If anyone hears about an original cat's cradle base, or lounge x-base, or even a rocker base, please : rhudea@yahoo.fr ;))
Rudy.
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