Why it’s important to choose the right drum throne
You may be tempted to purchase the first drum throne you see or save money on the seat so you have more to spend on your drum set. But choose carefully; the right drum throne can impact your entire drumming experience and even your budget in the future, because:
- Quality thrones last you a long time, preventing repurchase or repair expenses.
- You need a stable chair to deliver good performances. If you feel you’ll topple over you won’t concentrate on your playing.
- The comfort of the seat also determines your quality of play and whether you can concentrate on playing for long periods.
- A well-designed seat is light and easy to pack up which will be valuable if you travel a lot to gigs or practices.
- Only quality seats allow for multiple height options so you can enjoy the ideal sitting position.
- A chair that swivels well will provide you with an effortless way of reaching where you want to. This puts less strain on your body.
To get value for money once you start shopping for seats, keep reading.
Features to consider when choosing a drum throne
Many different features and considerations determine the value of your purchase. We discuss each one so you can understand what you’re getting into. Know how to look past marketing jargon and discover the best drum throne for your specific setup.
Seat shape and materials
Your sessions on your drum throne may be long, so comfort is an essential consideration. But where does comfort come from? You need to think of the seat padding of course—more is better in most cases unless you have a personal preference for a harder surface. But don’t forget to try out different shapes too. Round ones are common, but many drummers find a motorcycle type such as the Gibraltar Pro Oversized Motorcycle Style Throne or a saddle type more appropriate as there’s less chance of the chair affecting your legs’ blood circulation. The unique shape of a saddle type may also prevent sliding around on the surface of the chair.
Drum gear manufacturers have done intense research over the last few decades about solving challenges that many players face. That’s why you also get ergonomically-designed drum stools now, such as the ROWELL Drum Throne and other ones that even prevent pressure on your tailbone from affecting your spine. This is especially important if you practice for long periods or want to play a two-hour performance in comfort. You can also prevent back pain in the future if you purchase a quality chair that affords you support and absorbs some of the tension.
You can see why buying a quality seat is important: it affects your play now and in the future.
Height range and adjustment
Comfort is further affected by whether you can adjust the chair to suit your height. Most chairs will have adjustment features, but make sure it’s small or large enough and can cater to your specific height. Children usually won’t feel as comfortable on regular sized chairs. Taller players often struggle to find a chair that affords the perfect drumming position (more about that below), but larger throne models like the DW Drum Workshop 5000 Series Tractor Seat Drum Throne do exist.
Also consider how the chair allows for height adjustments as this determines user-friendliness.
Many have bolts that slip into place to lock it into position, with only a few pre-determined heights to pick from. The other option is a swivel lock which most players find the most convenient.
Does it swivel?
If you’ve drummed at all you know this is not a stationary activity. Many body parts move and you also face different directions during a session. How do you make this happen smoothly? By using swivel features, rather than you shifting around on the chair. If you know you’re an energetic player who wants freedom of movement, confirm whether your new drum throne has a swivel feature, preferably without the chair squeaking each time you move.
Back support
Back rests aren’t common to all drum thrones but don’t ignore this feature altogether. It can make your long practice sessions much easier if your back has some support from a back rest. Back support is also a health consideration: a back rest can prevent back pain and help you retain good posture.
If it doesn’t have a back rest, will it allow you to add this back support in the future? Look at the specs before you buy.
Back support also relates to the quality of your seat: with the right foam and padding the cushion will absorb some of the stress and give you the support your body needs.
Don’t let your equipment cause fatigue or even strain on your back—shop wisely for the long-term benefit of your art and your body.
Drum throne weight and weight capacity
How much does it weigh and how much do you weigh? Those are the two important questions to ask when it comes to weight.
It’s better to invest in a lighter model as they’re easy to transport. While this feature is more valuable to players who travel a lot, remember this aspect whether you travel with your drums or not. You never know when you’ll start performing at other venues. You may also want to practice elsewhere for which a portable kit is essential, such as the Ludwig drum throne.
You must make sure the kit is able to handle your weight—and everyone that will use it. If you’re a drumming teacher, you need to cater to heavily-built students too. You must consider this aspect as the lugs and mechanisms may wear out if larger individuals use stools designed for smaller people. Don’t purchase a unit you’ll simply have to replace within a few months. If you only have to cater for a lower weight capacity, you can use a lightweight drum throne and it should serve you well for years.
Stability and number of feet
Your comfort during a session will also be determined by whether you trust your chair to stay upright. In this department, the feet of the chair plays an important role. They must ensure stability and a throne with three feet—rather than one with four legs—is often preferred by the pros as it won’t easily tip over.
Research what the framework is made of and invest in thrones with double-braced legs – they’re usually longer lasting.
Also, make sure to prevent the chair from sliding on a smooth surface by making sure there are rubber grips on the feet.