A good drum throne makes it easier to sit at your drum kit for longer periods of time, which encourages practicing and working on your drumming skills more often. Not all drum thrones are equal, some offer quite a bit more comfort and support than others. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites.
Tama 1st Chair Saddle Seat Drum Throne
Adjustable Height: 16-3/4″ to 24-1/2″
This is the cheapest version of the Tama 1st Chair saddle seat style of drum throne and is a really good value. We like this one due to it’s combination of comfort and affordability. This is the throne I currently use at home with my electronic drum kits. It has a fairly thin seat, but it is sturdy and comfortable. It’s thinner profile design makes it easy to fit inside drum gear bags. It has a threaded rod for height adjustment and a height lock to keep the rod from slipping while you sit on it, even if it comes loose.
ROC-N-SOC Original Saddle Drum Throne
Adjustable Height: 18″ to 24″
ROC-N-SOC drum thrones are popular because of their solid construction and comfortable saddle. This is their standard saddle style throne which uses a threaded spindle for height adjustment. There is a collar lock on the spindle to keep it locked in place once you have the height set where you want it. The saddle itself is comfy for longer sessions and it provides a balanced feel when you are sitting on it. It’s hard to go wrong with this one. There is also a Nitro version which uses hydraulic height adjustment, but we prefer the spindle version since hydraulics can wear out over time.
Tama 1st Chair Glide Rider Drum Throne
Adjustable Height: 18-1/2″ to 24-5/8″
With the Glide Rider throne, Tama is offering a saddle with not-too-hard and not-too-soft, contoured padding for excellent comfort. The cloth top is made from a breathable fabric. This throne is designed to have a low center of gravity and virtually no wobble, and you can feel it when you sit on it. The spindle is a threaded rod and there is a spindle locking system to keep it from slipping. There is also a hydraulic version but we prefer the spindle rod version since hydraulics can wear out over time. This throne is also not overly bulky, so it packs easily into a drum bag when you take it apart. Overall, this is a really solid, average sized drum throne.
Ahead Spinal-G Saddle Drum Throne
Adjustable Height: 18″ to 24″
The Spinal-G, or Spinal Glide throne from Ahead offers a unique seat design when compared to other drum thrones. The split seat helps to relieve tail bone compression and can help minimize fatigue for longer drumming sessions. This throne has a threaded spindle for height adjustment and stays in place with a spindle lock. While we prefer the saddle seat, this can also be found in a round seat version. There are also several variations of colors and there are also three and four leg versions depending on your preferences for stability.
Gibraltar 9608OS Oversized Saddle Drum Throne
Adjustable Height: 21″ to 27″
This is Gibraltars oversized saddle throne, the 9608OS model, and is one of the larger available from them at a full 19 inches wide. This one is comfortable with memory foam inside, and it has a cloth top with vinyl material on the sides and edges. There is a light contour on the seat. This one uses a threaded spindle for height adjustment and has a memory lock, so when you take it apart for transport you can easily get it back to the same height setting. This is a good pick for larger drummers who require solid support while drumming.
Gibraltar 9908 Drum Throne
Adjustable Height: 20″ to 28″
The 9908 is another saddle seat throne that we like from Gibraltar. This one is designed to offer a little bit more lumbar support without using a backrest, so it can be a good pick for drummers who want a little more support in that area without the bulk of a back rest. The seat is on the larger side, and the contours are definitely a little more curved towards the back of the seat. This one has a threaded spindle rod for height adjustments along with a spindle lock. It also has a four leg design for a little extra stability.
DW 5120 Tractor Seat Drum Throne
Adjustable Height: 21″ to 29″
The DW 5120 from Drum Workshop is what they call a tractor seat design, which is about the same as a saddle seat. It has a contoured seat that gives just a little bit more lumbar support without having a backrest. The height is adjusted via a threaded spindle rod and it locks into place with a spindle lock. This is a comfortable and sturdy saddle style throne for the price and it’s a little more affordable than some of the other comparable thrones we’ve looked at here. If you like DW gear, this one is a great pick.
Pork Pie Round Drum Throne
Adjustable Height: 21-1/2″ to 28-1/2″
This is a very comfortable round drum throne from Pork Pie and is one of the more comfortable options for larger drummers who prefer a round throne. The seat is thick and soft, you kind of sink into it when you sit on it. While it is soft, it is still very easy to find a good balance on this one. The build quality is excellent and these are built to last. It uses a spindle rod for swiveling height adjustment, and has a spindle lock to lock it into place. This throne can be found in several different color combinations, and some of the designs get pretty funky looking if you’re into that sort of thing.
Gibraltar Softy Drum Throne
Adjustable Height: 21″ to 29″
Here’s another solid Gibraltar throne, a round one this time, the Softy. This is a good option for drummers who want a comfortable round throne and it can be a solid pick for larger drummers. It is quiet sturdy and it holds up well over time. It has a threaded spindle rod for height adjustments. There is a memory lock to keep your height the same even if you take it apart. This one does sit a little higher, so if you like to sit low it might not be ideal.
Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider Drum Throne with Backrest
Adjustable Height: 20-1/4″ to 26-3/16″
The Ergo-Rider is one of the most heavy duty and comfortable thrones that you can get from Tama, and this version includes the backrest. We recommend this one for drummers who want an oversized seat with less contour, and a backrest for lumbar support. This is a pretty bulk throne when compared to the others, but it can be a great pick for larger drummers. It has a threaded spindle rod for height adjustment along with a spindle lock to keep it fixed in place. It also has a four leg design for good stability. It’s pretty expensive when compared to the other options here, but it’s worth the money if you need the larger size and the backrest.
Gibraltar 9608MB Saddle Drum Throne with Backrest
Adjustable Height: 20″ to 28″
The 9608MB throne from Gibraltar has a smaller yet still oversized saddle when compared to the 9608OS model. This one also has a backrest. This is a good value for a backrest throne and it isn’t overly expensive for the hardware you get here. The saddle seat uses a slightly contoured memory foam inside. Height is adjustable with the spindle rod and there is a memory lock to keep your height at the preferred location once you have it dialed in. The backrest is removable and can be adjusted backwards and forwards so you can find the right balance on the throne while you play.
What To Look For In a Drum Throne
To me there’s a few things that make a good drum throne. A throne might seem like a basic thing, it’s essentially just a stool or chair, but it’s the little things that make the better options stand out.
Comfort is a big thing to look for, especially if you play and practice for longer periods of time. Things that can make a drum throne more comfortable are contoured saddles or a good amount of cushion. A back rest can also be helpful for drummers that find lower back fatigue to be an issue while playing. This kind of goes along with the old saying that anything between you and the ground is worth investing in good quality, which includes shoes, tires, mattresses and drum thrones.
Encouraging good posture is another thing that goes along with comfort. I’ve had cheap drum thrones that tilted backwards a little bit or that make you feel like your not really sitting on a sturdy, solid platform. That can really put a lot of pressure on your lower back while you play, even if you’re focused on maintaining good posture. If you feel like you need more posture support, look for a throne with more contour towards the back of the seat. There’s also thrones with backrests for higher amounts of lumbar support.
Durability is something that is important as well. Your go-to drum throne should last a long time, it’s not a piece of gear that should need to be replaced regularly. My go-to throne has lasted me close to a decade so far. If you gig a lot, your throne should stand up to packing and transport, and any other abuses you might run into on the road.
Adjustability is another important aspect. Some cheaper drum thrones are limited in how the height can be adjusted or whether or not you can lock settings into place. The ability to adjust the height by very small amounts can be crucial when trying to dial in the ideal height while sitting at your drum kit.
