Anyone use a drummer's throne as a seat?

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

Post Reply
Christian Petersen
Posts: 5
Joined: 11 Dec 2010 7:51 pm
Location: Maryland, USA

Anyone use a drummer's throne as a seat?

Post by Christian Petersen »

I am short and a chair is just not working to raise me an inch or so taller. I don't want to get into mechanically lowering the guitar. I saw some drummer's thrones (seats that have spiral threads under the seat to precisely raise the height -- just like a secretary's chair). Some, like a "Roc N Soc" can be gotten with a "square-ish" seat and movable backrest. Most thrones are tripod mounted with rubber floor feet, not casters. Is there some flaw in my thinking about getting one of these....or....does anybody have a style/brand of seat that is height adjustable that they really like that might fit my purpose? Thank You!
User avatar
Dave Grafe
Posts: 4457
Joined: 29 Oct 2004 12:01 am
Location: Hudson River Valley NY
Contact:

Post by Dave Grafe »

I have a drum throne in my practice studio, set to the same height as my pack seat. The only real drawback is that the seat itself tends to loosen up and swivel and I am always reaching down to tighten it. Otherwise it works fine.
Ron Randall
Posts: 2179
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 1:01 am
Location: Dallas, Texas, USA

Post by Ron Randall »

I use the Roc n Soc. Look for it at Musicians Friend or Guitar Center.

It adjusts as you say. Trying different heights is a definite advantage. Then, one can lock this seat down. So that it does not move while playing, and the height can be fixed so it does not change during transport, set up.

Very sturdy, much more than any pacseat. (Think wild rock drummer) It is much lighter than most pacseats. I put my gear in a small duffle. This spreads the weight of all the stuff to two pieces.

Has an available back rest. I don't want casters. I want the seat to not move. The rubber feet do not slip.

To me the cushion is more comfy.

One man's opinion.

R2
User avatar
Chris Tweed
Posts: 226
Joined: 21 Jun 2009 8:43 am
Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK

Post by Chris Tweed »

Coincidentally, I just bought a drum throne last Saturday, the Gibraltar Roc-N-Soc 9608M. I have only used it at home so far, but it seems to be fine. It has a memory lock on the height so that even if it's dismantled the seat spindle will stay at the same position. It does swivel, but I've not found that to be a problem.

Previously I was using a dining chair, which was too low (~18.5"). I got a sore back when I first started using this, but I'm not sure if the back pain is because of the lack of back support or simply getting used to a new playing position (~20"). It seems to be easing now. I've ordered a backrest for the throne.

The only minor irritation I have is that I have to lift the seat back from the steel to get my feet and legs under it, and then pull it and me into position. Before, I was able to slide the chair backwards and forwards easily. Perhaps the lack of movement of the throne will turn out to be a virtue :lol:

Chris
User avatar
Bryan Daste
Posts: 1404
Joined: 11 Jul 2005 12:01 am
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Contact:

Post by Bryan Daste »

I use a Roc-n-soc. I find it quite comfortable, and I like the adjustable height. I actually find the swivel to be an advantage.
User avatar
Larry Rafferty
Posts: 773
Joined: 3 Sep 2008 1:06 pm
Location: Ballston Spa, NY

Post by Larry Rafferty »

I also am a little on the short side, so for the past few years I have only used drum thrones. Ninety percent of the time I pay the Mullen D-10 and use an "Adams Percussion Throne". It is hydraulic, has an adjustable back, and most important...it has Four legs with rubber bumper feet. If you ever need to bend down to pick up something you have dropped on the floor...you will soon realize how important a 4-legged throne is to your safety.
I also have a Gilbraltar 3-legged throne and a Mapex 4-leg throne. The 3 leggers are OK as long you remember to position 1 leg directly behind you.
Mullen D-10 8x5; Sho-Bud Super Pro D10 8x6; PedalMaster 5 Star SD-10 3x5; Dekley D-10 8x4;
Sho-Bud S-10 3x1; Fender Lap/Floor Steel; Peavey Power Slide; Supro Lap Steel; Peavey Nashville 400;
pair of Peavey Vegas 400's; Peavey NV112; Webb 614E with matching extension cabinet; Fender Twin Reverb and 3 cats.

They laughed when I sat down to play, cause' somebody pulled my chair away...
User avatar
Fred Glave
Posts: 1414
Joined: 22 Dec 2003 1:01 am
Location: McHenry, Illinois, USA

Post by Fred Glave »

I'm using a Dixon adjustable drum seat right now. It's light weight and not bulkey. It's not ideal, but I have to carry everything so I want everything small and light. I have an over the shoulder duffle bag for my accessories.
Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord,
User avatar
Doug Earnest
Posts: 2132
Joined: 29 Mar 2000 1:01 am
Location: Branson, MO USA

Post by Doug Earnest »

I have been using a drummer seat for the past year or so as the padding in my 25 year old Jac-Pac seat finally wore away.
I like it quite a bit. It's rare that I play away from the house these days. When I do I have a small briefcase to carry my accessories.
Doug Earnest
Manufacturer of Stage One & Encore pedal steel guitars
http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com
"Teach Your Children Well"
User avatar
Ned McIntosh
Posts: 802
Joined: 4 Oct 2008 7:09 am
Location: New South Wales, Australia

Post by Ned McIntosh »

I use a Gibraltar drum-throne with a back-rest. Very solid, legs fold easily, just sits atop my gear-bag with the back-rest sitting on the top of the NV112 when I trolley the gear in an out of a venue. Everything fits on the trolley: steel in the case, NV112, gear-bag, drum-throne, amp-stand and music-stand. Like this:-

Image

and this:-


Image

The drum-throne works really well and is easy to tote when it's stowed this way.
Last edited by Ned McIntosh on 27 Jan 2012 3:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.
Steve Collins
Posts: 179
Joined: 14 Sep 2011 7:30 am
Location: Alaska, USA

Post by Steve Collins »

I use a dixon as well. Spin around 180 form my drum kit, and there is my psg.
Bill Moran
Posts: 2207
Joined: 6 Jan 2003 1:01 am
Location: Virginia, USA

Post by Bill Moran »

Where do you carry your strings, tuner and vol. pedal? In your pocket ?
Bill
User avatar
Fred Glave
Posts: 1414
Joined: 22 Dec 2003 1:01 am
Location: McHenry, Illinois, USA

Post by Fred Glave »

Bill Moran wrote:Where do you carry your strings, tuner and vol. pedal? In your pocket ?
Bill I have a small over-the shoulder duffle bag, about 14" X 12". It holds my volume pedal, cables, extra strings, picks, bars, tuner, tuning wrench, a small tool kit and flashlight.
Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord,
User avatar
Bobby Snell
Posts: 517
Joined: 28 Jan 1999 1:01 am
Location: Austin, Texas

Post by Bobby Snell »

I highly recommend the Roc-n-Soc, echoing the above endorsements :)

When the backrest is removed, it breaks down and fits in my large dufflebag with cords,VP, etc., for a reasonable load.
User avatar
Colm Chomicky
Posts: 2476
Joined: 11 Mar 2003 1:01 am
Location: Kansas, (Prairie Village)
Contact:

Post by Colm Chomicky »

I use a roc-n-soc, no back. I like being able to adjust for me and it seems to be a good fit, not flat. Keeps my butt from getting sore. Although when I try other peoples pac-a-seats, etc. I really don't find them uncomfortable either. I just slighty prefer the feel of the roc-n-soc or similar for the long haul.

As for storage, I have a case, kinda like what you see airline pilots or lawyers tote around that I keep my strings, pedal, etc. in. If I need something, I can just reach in my case while still sitting on my butt!

Actually my first seat was a antique wooden chair made in Mexico with branded leather bottom that I found on a street corner in Austin, I had to add a little height to the legs, but it really looked cool...still have it. Who knows, maybe I will go back to that some day!
Frank Montmarquet
Posts: 178
Joined: 25 Oct 2011 6:29 pm
Location: The North Coast, New York, USA

Post by Frank Montmarquet »

does anybody have a style/brand of seat that is height adjustable that they really like that might fit my purpose?
I use an On Stage KT7800+ keyboard bench. About $36 on Amazon. Adjustable from about 18" to 24".
User avatar
Gary Cosden
Posts: 855
Joined: 23 Aug 2007 4:04 pm
Location: Florida, USA

Post by Gary Cosden »

A few days ago I received a new seat from Steelseat.com with adjustable legs that is really nice. My old ShoBud seat was 20" in height and I felt that I wanted a little more. I ordered it with a height range of 20.5" to 22" and after experimenting I finds that approx. 20.875" is just about ideal for me. It really is nice to get the height just right - especially for your right hand position. Joe Naylor makes a really nice product and frankly I don't see what is keeping more people from taking advantage of his adjustable height option. Also he uses a super dense foam for the cushion which feels pretty hard when you first sit on it but after a few hours its way more comfortable than soft cushy foam is. I have owned several motorcycles and I find that if you are going to spend the day riding the way your butt feels at the end of the day is WAY more important than the way it feels when you first sit down. I am a big believer in dense foam for long term comfort and that is another reason that I chose a Steelseat.com seat. Not to put down the drum thrown option - but you did ask about steel seats with adjustable leg height.
Post Reply