What makes a drum throne for back problems different
Why can’t you just buy an ordinary drum throne? Well, the truth is that there aren’t many designs which are specifically for sufferers of back issues, but certain features will help you if you do have trouble in this area. Features such as hydraulics to allow you to move around with a little bounce, a bit like suspension on a car, can really help. Also, a backrest, adequate cushioning and stability can be very helpful for those who have bad backs. The features below explain in more detail.
Features to consider when choosing a drum throne
Below are the features we’ve considered when creating our list of the best drum thrones for bad backs. Some features are undeniably more important than others. If you currently have a drum throne which you suspect is causing you pain, think about which of these features will be most beneficial to your needs.
Back support
Support for your back is something you may be craving. This is especially true if you often play long periods of time and you find that over time your back starts to hurt. A backrest may come included, our editor’s choice product, the Tama Ergo-Rider Quartet with Backrest, has an adjustable backrest which ships with the product itself.
Some of the other options on the list do not come with a backrest as standard, but are compatible with them. You can install a backrest if it is going to help. Back support is normally very handy, but may not be totally essential, it really depends on the back issues you are experiencing. It could be that your condition can be addressed in a different way.
Seat shape and materials
The seat shape and materials it is made of can be a big plus point for certain drum thrones. There are a number of different seat shapes which have been designed to have different characteristics. It may boil down to personal preference which one you go for. One really clever design in this area is the Ahead Spinal G Drum Throne SPGBBR4, which can be used to create more movability in the coccyx and prevent drummers from pain.
Padding is always a big benefit for drummers, and you can rest assured of a comfortable backside if you get plenty of padding, but this helps the back, too. If you feel comfortable in the seat, then the chances are it could be a very good choice for helping with back issues.
Height range and adjustment
If you are sitting at the wrong height in comparison to the drum kit, then you can very easily end up with a poor posture and some very bad aches and pains. Ensuring you are at a comfortable height and not straining to reach anything means matching up your height to the drum kit. Fortunately, most drum thrones give you some options and allow you to adjust the height of your kit.
The types of adjustment make a difference, if not to your back, but to the convenience of setting up your throne and getting the right height. A swiveling design of height adjustment can be more simple and straightforward. A bolt lock is another type of design, and sometimes this is more secure.
Does it swivel?
Swiveling doesn’t just refer to the locking of the drum throne, swiveling allows you to move with more freedom while you are drumming. If the throne doesn’t allow you to swivel and move around as you play the different parts of the kit, it can lead to being in uncomfortable positions, which, ultimately, can make your playing experience less enjoyable and lead to pain in the long run.
If you’re a particularly active drummer and you like to move around a lot while playing, swiveling is almost essential.
Drum throne weight and weight capacity
Any drummer tends to be relieved when they find lightweight pieces of equipment. A lot of drumming gear is very heavy and lugging it around to all those gigs can quickly get tiring. It can be tempting to go for the most lightweight choice you come across.
Lightweight drum thrones often come with the cost of not being able to support anywhere near as much weight in terms of the user of the drum throne. If you weigh a lot, then it can be worth considering this. Is the stability less because you’re going for a lighter drum stool? If you weigh under 200 lbs, pretty much any drum throne we’ve listed will be fine, if you are a bigger or heavier drummer though, it might be worth something with a lot of support. This is especially true if you weigh over 250 pounds. In our recommendations, the Gibraltar 9608MB Large Cordura Drum Throne has been recommended as the product for bigger drummers. It can support a lot of weight and keep you comfortable.
Stability and number of feet
Another thing which can impact the stability of a drum throne a lot is the number of feet. Three or four are the two options you’ll come across mostly. Four tends to offer a little bit of extra stability, but this depends on the design of the drum throne itself. Also, three feet can mean that the throne is lighter.
Large feet with rubber grips are usually preferred and give a little bit more stability, they also prevent the stool from moving around and sliding on stage when you are on it.
Did you guys even look at the Motion-Pro thrones? Odd you didn’t include.
Thank you for your comment. We appreciate your feedback and understand your interest in the Motion-Pro thrones. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive review of various products, and unfortunately, we may not have been able to include every single option in our article. However, we value your suggestion and will definitely consider including the Motion-Pro thrones in our future content. Stay tuned for more updates!