When new drummers get started in learning how to play this instrument, they have a lot to learn about hardware. However, most of that attention is focused on various pieces of a drum kit, quality of shells, pedals, cymbals, etc.
One piece of hardware that often gets overlooks are drum thrones. It just so happens that a good drum throne can have a huge impact on both your technique and your overall performance.
More experienced drummers will tell you that investing in a decent drum throne will allow you to have a good foundation to build on. On top of that, depending which model you go with, you might have it last you a very long time.
With that said, we have prepared a short guide on selecting the best drum throne on the market. Our picks are divided into different price brackets, allowing you to find something that best fits your needs and budget.
Without further ado, let’s get to it.
Top Picks For the Best Drum Throne:
19th April 2024
Here we have the Drum Workshop CP9100M. This is a more traditional drum throne that keeps it simple in terms of design but offers all the necessary support and quality when put to use. DW really did a great job with this seat. If you are in search of a solid, conservative drum throne, this is it.
The main reason why we have chosen this model as our top pick has a lot to do with DW’s understanding of throne design. Sure, to some the Roc-N-Soc might be a better solution. However, most experienced drummers have developed their skill on a standard round seat.
With that said, DW has chosen their advanced foam formula for CP9100M. Providing better ergonomic drum throne properties that ensures a longer life of the seat padding. Aside from that important aspect, DW CP9100M brings along an extremely solid set of hardware.
We are talking double locking clamps, heavier and sturdier alloys and more. The seat is pretty adjustable in terms of height and its 14-inch diameter seems to be just the right size.
For more about Drum Workshop CP9100M, check out customers reviews.
Roc-N-Soc is a very interesting company. Unlike most of the popular brands we have mentioned so far, Roc-N-Soc’s drummer thrones are purpose built to cover even the most absurd needs of drummers around the world. The level of dedication Roc-N-Soc has shown so far is impressive.
Because of that, their Nitro throne is one of, if not the best drum seat on in its respective segment of the market. The first time you sit down on it will let you know exactly why this is the case.
If there is one thing which Roc-N-Soc insists on, it is quality padding in their seats. They have a number of proprietary foam solutions which can be found in Nitro. Interestingly enough, they are among the very few brands who understand the impact padding alone can have on a throne.
Nitrogen features a motorcycle seat that is covered with a combination of vinyl and clad. The size of the seat will depend on your choice as they offer several options. After the all impressive padding and seat design, built in nitrogen shock is probably the next best feature that deserves to be mentioned.
That’s right, the moment you sit on this thing, you will feel like you’re floating on air. Nitrogen shock absorber requires no maintenance whatsoever and works incredibly well to mitigate stress on your back. If your budget is limited at $200, this is the chair to go with.
Compared to the previous Gibraltar model 9908 series drum throne offers numerous enhancements and upgrades. Even though there are many great drum thrones in this particular price range, Gibraltar’s 9908 by far one of the best drum seats you can get for this type of money. As we start moving through specs, you will see why this is the case.
What Gibraltar wanted to achieve with the 9908 is the ultimate comfort.
This is easily concluded by taking one quick glance at the seat itself. It is a motorcycle type seat, but this one is oversized. Instead of being 13 inches or in diameter, Gibraltar went with a whopping 17 inches of the seating surface.
The foam is thick, soft, and quick to return to its original form. The great thing about this particular throne is the extended lumbar support. If you enjoy those longer drumming sessions, your lower back will definitely appreciate some help.
Hardware is bullet proof and maybe even over-engineered. We are looking at four double braced legs instead of three. Lastly, the adjustable height on this model goes from 18 inches to 24 inches. That’s a decent range that will fit most drummers out there.
Last drum throne from this price range that we would like to show you is the Gibraltar 9608MB. What makes this model pretty unique compared to the rest of our list is the fact that it comes with a backrest.
As a matter of fact, you could say that this is the best drum throne with backrest and probably the best drum throne for back problems. However, there is much more to it than that single feature. Let’s do a quick overview.
The first thing you will notice is the motorcycle seat. We might have over-saturated our list with them, but there is no denying that this type of seat simply brings optimal comfort.
Anyway, we digress. Gibraltar 9608 features pretty thick padding.
The foam is nowhere near as good as that on the Roc-N-Soc Nitro, but it’s good enough. They have used vinyl and Cordura to cover the seat, which may not be the best option out there, but it works. Here’s another interesting thing about 9608.
Unlike most other thrones where you can adjust the height from 17 or 18 inches to about 24 inches, Gibraltar 9608 goes from 20 to 28 inches. In other words, this is a great choice for taller players who need solid support.
For more about Gibraltar 9608MB, check out customers reviews on Amazon.
Drum Workshop is one of the most popular names in the business, especially when it comes designing quality aftermarket hardware. Their DW CP3100 throne offers a rather inexpensive solution to drummers who require good support on a budget.
This company has been around long enough to know exactly what its user base wants. Let’s take a closer look at one of the best drum stool choices in the affordable segment.
Drum thrones are inherently simple products. However, there are still some niche standards a good drum throne needs to meet in order to even be usable. Build quality is one of the more important ones. DW’s CP3100 features a classic design with a round seat and a three-legged support.
What is important to note here is that all legs have two beams that connect to the main shaft. At the bottom of each leg is a pretty solid plastic cap which does a great job at preventing the whole thing from moving around.
The seat is thick, comfortable and 13 inches in diameter. There is some leeway when it comes to adjusting the height of the throne, although it is capped at your average value.
The seat can rotate if you want it to, but you can also lock in position using the knob underneath the seat.
For more about DW CP3100, check out customers reviews on Amazon.
Gibraltar is another very well known brand in the world of drums. While drum thrones aren’t necessarily their primary line of products, they definitely do make some pretty decent entry level models.
The one we are looking at here brings a bit of variety into the affordable range. On top of that, it has proven to be extremely reliable even though it is not what most would consider suitable for professional use.
What is cool about this throne is that Gibraltar went with a motorcycle type seat instead of your standard round one.
This offers a bit more comfort while only affecting stability in a positive way. The seat is pretty large and comes padded with one of the best foam types you’ll find in this price range.
The base of the throne is more or less the same basic stuff we see across this entire category. In other words, double braced legs attached to an adjustable main shaft.
In terms of height adjustments, you are looking at positions anywhere from 18 inches to 24 inches. If you are looking for a decent and a bit more comfortable throne for your home setup, this Gibraltar definitely fits the bill.
For more about Gibraltar Heavy Drum Throne, check our complete buying guide.
While there are definitely things you need to pay attention to when choosing your drum throne, we need to keep in mind that this is still a seat. As such, the very first two requirements any drum throne needs to meet is comfort and stability.
Fortunately for us, most modern thrones either come with both of these fully met, or neither. Once you are convinced that the model you are looking at is built well and appears to be comfortable, we have to move on to details.
This question alone is capable of starting a discussion on any drumming forum you can find. While we completely understand two opposing camps and their arguments, we will go as far as to say that choosing between these is a matter of personal preference.
We advise you to look at these two types of seats the same way we do. For some, a rounded seat is all that works and they might be unable to break the habit. On the other hand, there are drummers who have improved their skill by going from a rounded to a motorcycle style seat.
If you were to ask the founders and head designers of drum thrones over in Roc-N-Soc about the importance of certain throne elements, you’d get a surprising answer. It is not all that about the seat design nor is it about the hardware. What makes a rock solid throne even better is good foam in the seat.
Some brands have pretty advanced formulas which make memory foam look like stone age technology. Other still use the plain old furniture padding. We, along with everyone in Roc-N-Soc, strongly recommend that you do your best to get a throne with the quality foam seat.
As you can probably imagine, having good hardware on your stool is essential. If this portion of the throne fails, no amount of fancy foam will be able to help you. What you are looking for is a drum seat made of decent alloys and one which doesn’t sport super thin bracing. As long as there is some meat in there, you should be fine.
Finding one solution in terms of drum thrones, that fits all drummers is borderline impossible. Simple as that. What might work for you, might also not work for the next guy and so forth. The idea here is to figure out what you like, what kind of height is optimal for your height, and just narrow down the list until you find something you like.
Every model on our list has shown to be pretty great in service. If you’re still doubting your decisions, you can always go with one of them knowing you didn’t risk much at all.
Assembling a drum throne is extremely easy. In a large majority of cases, a manufacturer will ship you a seat in a separate box or bubble wrap. The other part of the package is going to be a folded shaft with all the necessary accessories. In this particular case, setting up the seat requires only you screwing the seat onto the shaft. With that said, some models come completely disassembled and might require some time to put together.
In these extremely rare cases, it is recommended that you follow the instruction manual that came with the package. Fortunately for us, even the latest and greatest drum stools are still extremely simple to put together and break down.
Finding a good drum throne can seriously affect your technique and the speed with which you will master it. Because of that, it is highly recommended that you invest in a good drum seat right from the start. As a matter of fact, if you are currently on a crappy throne, but you are planning on getting a new set of Zildjians, you better spend that money on a good throne first.
That is if you care at all about your back and other potential long-term damage. The models found on our list above are by far some of the best drum throne options you have at the moment.
Once you’ve picked your perfect fit be sure to take a look at our drum sets buying guides.
With that said, we hope you have gained some new info on this subject today. Keep up the beat!
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
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