Eames side shells: X-base vs. H-base vs. Stackers  

in the 1952 catalog
In the 1952 HM catalog, the first one to show the fibreglass chairs, the following was available:
SHELL ARM CHAIR
Dining height
DAX standard H legs 31 1/4" high
DAR wire base (a/k/a/ Effel) 31 1/4" high
DAW wooden legs with an metal X brace 31 1/4 high
PAW swivel chair like the DAW 31 1/4" high
UPHOLSTERED SIDE WIRE CHAIR
PKW Desk model swivel base legs (like the PAW) 32 2/4" high
DKW Dining model (like the DAW) 32 1/4" high
DKR Dining model with wire base (like the DAR) 32 1/4" high
The Evans chairs (earlier) usually has the standard H metal legs.
In 1952, they had not started offering an non-upholstered fibreglass side shell.
In my opinion, the standard 4 leg base is the strongest, but the Effel is surely the most elegant and is quite strong.
Hope this helps.

to me...... nothing is mor...
to me...... nothing is more striking then the effiel tower base any other base looks ugly and we usually trash the h base, we save the x cause it has some value but the stacking bases check the dumpsters that is where they are, not worth much unless you are a old church youth hall.

Yes
The eiffel base is the best for sure! So I could just buy some H or X base chairs, since these have the narrow mounts, then later on buy some reproduction (they make them right?) bases. Powdercoat black, as in my opinion the wire chairs look best in black, then they just "go away" visually.
Or just buy the shells themselves? Any leads on a supply of multi-colored side shells base or no base?

"unless you are a old church youth hall. "
hahaha...or a middle school cafeteria.

A certain charm
I have to say, I find a certain charm in the stacking base. I love seeing 20 chairs of various colors stacked neatly together. But I would only have them as a side chair. For my dining table I have an Eames contract base table, and 5 H-base chairs around it in various colors: orange, bright yellow, black, greige, ivory. I was going to scrap all the bases and go eiffel...but they're almost cliche' DWRish at this point. (I still think they're pretty)
If I could I would have the wire chairs, in black, with a bright colorful mix of bikini pads.
As for finding colorful shells - Ebay. You'll probably be able to pick them up piecemeal anywhere from 20$ (for common neutrals - $80-$100 for bright, more desirable colors) Just always make sure you get the narrow shockmounts: 7 3/4" between the front mounts, 4 3/4" between the back.

Thanks!
Still wasn't sure if the X and H bases would fit the wide stacker pattern. I really wanted to collect 4 DCM's for a dining table, but I don't think they are tough enough for everyday kitchen table use. Plus it's nice to have the colors in the kitchen, my wife has the Day of The Dead theme going, pretty cool! I guess I will start looking...