Low Rod / Cats Cradle / LAX / MAX / WTF  

Bases
Low rod is the same as cat's cradle. Seat height ~12"
Lounge X or H base is ~15"
MAX base is ~16" and are not very common.

thank you!
any one ever sat in the cats cradle?
I'm worried they might be a little too low, per the other thread about how people don't respect vintage furniture, I have this vison of my dad flopping around to get out of it 🙂

I have one
They are rather low, but I think they're okay for shorter people.

i found the cats cradle base...
i found the cats cradle base too low for me (i'm 180cm) and they're also difficult for elderly people - my parents didn't like them. ironically my cat liked them a lot, it's a good height for cats to easily slip into the chair. and they do look sculptural and nice.
i since replaced them with lax bases and that works great for me. i also find the simplicity appealing.
as for the max base, i have one stored in the basement but it looks to much like a dining chair in a living room. probably good for waiting rooms...

I believe the MAX was only pr...
I believe the MAX was only produced between 1954 through 1956.
I think the LAX was only produced until 1952 and was ultimately replaced by the LAR.
The MAX is rare and is probably the most comfortable of all the X-Bases. It has a perfect height and the angle feels great.

Subjective.
...
P.S. The LAX was replaced by the lounge H base (still called LAX though).

I think the Cat's Cradle...
I think the Cat's Cradle works really well for a children's chair. Too low for me and my living room.
The lower x-base, whatever the hell its called, appears to be more height-appropriate for conversations.

woodywood,
No, im pretty...
woodywood,
No, im pretty sure the LAX was replaced by the LAR and the LA(X) H-base version came out later (atleast a year later).

LAR
The LAR is completely different style from the LAX, not a replacement. All X bases were eventually replaced with H bases.

woodywood,
I know that. The...
woodywood,
I know that. The LAX was considered a bit redundant and was dropped, leaving the LAR to fill that niche.
The Low H-Base that you speak of did not succeed the LAX as there were 1-2 years between the last of the LAX and the first of the Low H-bases.

?
How can the LAR be a replacement for the LAX if they existed at the same time?
They are not "redundant" as they are completely different.

Thank you!
thanks for all the good info!
I'm starting to worry that the cats cradle might be too low. Has anyone ever tried cutting down an 'H' base? I'm thinking of lopping off a few inches and cover the ends with caps might work to get that more lounge / less dinning room chair look.
or will that have Charles spinning in his grave?

Fox is correct.
Woodywood,...
Fox is correct.
Woodywood, educate yourself and read about it.

First of all...
There were two variations of the LAX. The first generation which featured the "Domes of Silence" glides was only an inch or so higher than the low rod base. It was revised a year or so into production and raised in an effort to separate it from the LAR and/or make it more manageable(comfortable).
That last part is only my educated guess, much like the hypothesis fox and pirate are bandying about as cold hard fact. The LAR in the end was adjudged as redundant as the lounge H version of the LAX was very popular in contract and residential settings.
In reply to the OP, the LAR is more of a collector's component. It's not exactly practical. If you have a corner to set a shell in for admiration and to sit in occassionally it's fine. But for everyday seating/lounging, it's just too low and hard to get out of. Even the 1st gen LAX is too low for me and I'm a short little Irish turd. The MAX and 2nd gen LAX on the other hand are both very practical and extremely comfortable.