Gideon, sincerely, thank you very much for this video. It was very well made, I could clearly see all those thrones with their features, very well explained, great comments, honest observations, it was extremely useful for me. Thank you mate.
Hi Gideon, great video - as always! I was quite surprised by your comments about the Pearl Roadster. I've actually got this throne and although it does move around slightly from side to side, I figured it was meant to do this due the little gasket thing directly under the seat! My main reason for buying this throne was the backrest. It is adjustable in how deep or shallow you can have it and for my frame it was the most comfortable. I have a very hollow back and some displaced discs at the bottom of my spine so need a rest that really presses into me. Prior to that I used the RocnSoc's for years but eventually looked for something else because the back rest was just not supportive enough. Just goes to show that with stools (and most of the hand/foot drum equipment) you really must try these items in person before buying. Trouble is finding a drum shop that stocks all of the brands! 😂 Cheers!
Your video gets an 11/10 from me. Perfect 10/10 because I can’t agree more about every single rating you’ve given, but that extra and impossible 11th point comes from one specific beef that I’ve had, ever since NAMM 2015. The Ahead Spinal Glide throne. Man oh man, I thought I’d found my forever throne. Touted as the perfect throne for heavy duty, large and tall (I’m 6’4 and 200lbs), back problems, etc. I thought that was the silver bullet, the throne to end all thrones. That thing is a miserable piece of shit. Over engineered and under engineered all at the same time, somehow? It’s cheaply built and gimmicky, just like every other thing that Ahead makes. I was a starving 22 year old, living on minimum wage, trying to pay my bills, eat at least once a day, but I figured that this was an investment, right? Wrong. It was $220 USD wasted (and back then, that was unheard of), a bitter lesson learned. The spindle locking mechanism began to wobble, so that it couldn’t stay locked in place ever. The soft cushions mash together as soon as you sit on it, negating any perceived benefits for your spine (that’s all horseshit anyways.) At the time, it was a 4 legged design, which is also inherently inferior. More legs doesn’t mean more stability. You ever sit on a wobbly chair? It’s because one of the FOUR legs isn’t the same length. It’s physically impossible to have that issue with 3 legged designs. Well, the Ahead managed to have that wobble issue with its stupid 4 legs, on top of the structural play that had worked its way into the body of the thing. The mechanism that locks the base of the seat to the spindle had the same issue as the spindle adjustment, started coming loose, wouldn’t stay tightened. The thin pleather underside began to tear away and reveal a flimsy plywood base underneath that the pleather was haphazardly stapled to. In the end, I sold the damn thing to guitar center after 2.5 years of owning it. Did I mention I ever even gigged with the thing? I baby my hardware like nobody else I’ve ever seen. I had to physically disguise certain aspects of the throne so that GC would take it off my hands. Every time I rant about this on Reddit, I’m the one cantankerous bastard shouting in opposition to the masses, getting downvoted to oblivion by the echo chamber of yes men in the comments. I won’t let this die. I spent my last penny on this piece of shit and it was nothing but a disappointment from beginning to end. I turned around and used the store credit to buy a tama 1st chair hydraulic, and in 8 years, I haven’t had a singular issue. I tested everything they had in store. The tama baaaaarely squeaked past the roc n soc based on how sturdy it felt, they were neck and neck. I think the DW airlift, had they had one, would have made the decision a bit harder, because like you said, that thing almost deserves an 11 based on feel alone. All in all, your ratings are perfect in my book. Couldn’t have been more spot on. And once more for good measure, fuck Ahead, fuck their products, fuck everything they stand for, and fuck anybody who mindlessly defends them just because they got duped into buying the most useless and overhyped product you could possibly sit on.
I have the Roc N Soc Nitro and, while it’s very comfortable and the bike seat design relieves the pain in my thighs, I have two major issues with it. 1- I do NOT like seats that swivel. Anyone who’s setup on a small stage and tried to sit down only to have the seat spin around knows you can hurt yourself. And just try to reposition it by lifting the seat and moving it - the whole thing spins out of control. 2- This is a huge problem: After the gig, the seat gets frozen to the center shaft. I had a bandmate hold one part while I tried in vain to free the seat. This has happened multiple times. I consider the Roc N Soc a “nice try” but ultimately would rate it 5 out of 10. If it didn’t swivel and had an easier release it would be 10/10. I think I’ll consider the Yamaha.
Hi, Good video - well presented and researched. I use the Ahead Spinal-G Drum Throne with Backrest and have had it for 10 months, replacing a Gibraltar velour motorcycle throne. I have found this has improved my comfort and helps with preserving stamina - its very comfy. Sole gripe is that it tends to drop height during a gig, but I've remedied that with a jubilee clip.
great video! I never liked the bouncy feel of a hydraulic throne, but that depends on everyones personal taste. I definitely encourage everyone to buy a high quality/price throne. I am playing on my tama first chair sattle throne since 13 years now and it doesn't move a bit. everything is smooth as it was on the first day. and it has the nice but pricy addon of a good back rest. In super long studio sessions I prefer the ahead spinal glide tho, because of a damaged disk in my lower spine. this thing totally helps with back pain :) keep up the great content!
Thanks a lot! I appreciate it! Yup - it's always worth investing in a good seat. And sure I realize not everyone will like the hydraulic/gas lift bounce but now I"m used to it I'm a fan. 😃
@@GideonWaxman apart from minor scuffs from moving it from gig to gig, pretty well. However, I am anal about all my equipment, so I take good care of it.
@steliosbeastdrums Nice! Glad to hear it. I've heard mixed things from long term owners, some people have serious rattles/wobbling but glad yours is doing well!
ive got the spinal glide motorcycle style, had it for 4 years now and ive got no complaints, i honestly find it in my opinion to be the best throne ive ever used. i do however use the 3 legged base from a pearl roadster for my spinal glide as i find it to be more lighter to lug around to gigs with my hardware bag. So i just have the original spinal glide base setup for my Ekit and use the roadster base for gigs.
I do the same thing with my Spinal Glide. I use a DW base with my Spinal Glide. The seat has retained it's shape over the 6 years I've owned it. My tail bone issues disappeared when I started using it.
That's fair! From my experience my music university was full of broken, super wobbly spindle thrones! I can’t tell you how many times I worked out rudiments while sliding all over the place haha.
The DW Santa Monica canister style throne is the best throne ever. Firm round seat. It's ridiculously expensive (about $1K in 2024) but you can sit high and there is absolutely zero wobble. It's so stable it feels like you're sitting on the ground. And you can store hardware/pedal/stick bag inside. The DW 9000 round seat/spindle throne is also excellent if you want a firm seat, minimal wobble and zero movement. Also, both thrones have vinyl seats that are slightly grippy whereas my old Tama Ergo Rider thrones were very slippery depending on what fabric your pants are made from.
I use four legged thrones only. They are much more sturdy than three legged ones. And I need spine rest to support my back and keep me in one place while playing
You seem to be hyperfixated with the air lift system, but I'd choose the spindle over it 11 out of 10 times. The air lift systems tend to break faster than the spindles, they are more expensive and usually way less stable and annoyingly bouncy. Their only "advantage" is the supposed ease of adjustement, but that is only useful if you're sharing the throne with other people (and that would lead to breaking even faster due to the constant adjustments). The spindles on the other hand are more robust, less expensive, way more stable, and if you're the only one using the throne, once you have adjusted it to your height, you don't need to be constantly adjusting it again and again, you just lock it with a memory lock (extra points for the Gibraltar 9608), and done, it will stay in place for as long as you want. Even if you eventually need to make another occasional adjustment, it's not that hard that you can't do it in seconds, honestly. From that list, my top 3 would be the Gibraltar 9608, the Yamaha and the spindle version of the Tama Ergorider. I can swear for the Gibraltar, I have a 9608 (the version with wider rubber feet) for more than 11 years now, and it's still virtually like new. Sturdy as the first day and the seat still firm. And it's one of the cheaper from those. Just a well built and quality throne, with no gimmick.
Agreed. I think air lift seats are actually harder to get the height exactly where you want. Spindles only take a few seconds to adjust so I don't see why people think air lift is a huge improvement.
I bought the DW 9120 to replace the roc n soc i had for over a decade. roc n soc wobbles so much it's ridiculous. If you're a big person like me, pay the extra money for DW.
Funny, I just went through an unexpected throne swap. I had an old cheap Soumd Percussion bicycle seat throne for decades. Replaced my entire kit and cymbals with a new Tama kit and Sabian HHX cymbals. Given a pretty large investment I decided to spoil myself with a new throne. I spent the $300 and got the Tama First Edition you reviewed. I have used everything Tama for over 30 years, but have to say, though that throne was super high quality it didn’t work for me me for a few reasons; first and foremost I was just too wide for me making it hard to throw my leg around (I’m 5’7”), second though the hydraulics are cool and convenient, I hate that it was so tempting to change the height. I have 2 going on 3 drummers in my immediate family and could never find my perfect height again when they changed it, third I didn’t like the bounce that much. I did some research, watch TH-cam reviews and polled Reddit. In the end everyone recommended the Roc’n’Soc first and the Pork Poe second. So, I got the Roc’n’Soc with the screw down stand. Coming with a memory lock I always have my perfect height saved. It’s comfortable, more bicycle like and was only $225. I made my 12 year old granddaughter very happy when I gave her the Tama throne!
I've only sat on 2 thrones. The first came with my Tama Imperial Star. I'm guessing it's the cheapest throne a person can find. Well it sucked. Months later I bought an Ahead Spinal G (round) I love it. I actually found myself bouncing around on it too much the first few days I had it.
For the money the best one I own is the Gibraltar Softy throne. Payed 130€ a few years ago. Recently I've bought the Roland Saddle style because it was cheap, and it is actually one of the sturdiest I bought
I have both the Ahead Spinal G and the Roc-N Soc Nitro, and I have back rests on both. The Ahead is more comfortable to sit on for longer periods of time but mechanically it is not as good as the Roc-N-Soc. The back rest loosens up after a while so that you have to re-tighten it after a bit of playing. I also miss the hydraulic lift, and it is more difficult to pack and set up. So, I use the Ahead at home as my practice seat and use the Roc-N-Soc to play out. If Ahead would fix the issues I have listed, I believe it would be the best seat going, especially considering back support and comfort. I know that Ahead now has a hydraulic lift chair but it is in a four-leg version that I don't care for.
I have the Mapex 875 and I liked it at first. The first issue was the constant tightening I had to do. But after a year, it wobbles to the point I don't want to use it anymore. I may keep the seat, but the base is a huge letdown. I definitely wouldn't recommend.
You need a drum throne that doesnt spin (bad for your lower body and spine).. I suggest spending quite a buck for the Ahead Spinal Glide. I have never been fan of overspending but I have had this throne for more than 2 years now (I use it daily) and I can safely say that the Investment is really worth it.. Its your body after all
No drummer should spin whilst playing-it’s just a good quality of life feature for breaks and getting in and out of the seat. And I'm glad the Ahead Spinal Glide is working well for you long-term!
I bought a Gibraltar 9608 in 2023 and would not describe mine as firm. I find it's squishy and unstable giving the feeling that the seat is not firmly attached to the spindle. Gibraltar's site says it is 3.5" of memory foam. I think it would be better if they used a thinner layer of memory foam over a layer of firmer foam.
I get the ease of use for hydraulic lifts, but my roc n soc with ther feature completely gave out after a few years. No such degradation on a spindle mechanism, at least not in my experience.
Good selection of thrones for this review. I do have to disagree with you on the use of hydraulic thrones. For me they never seem to get to the height I like. They don’t have the same type of stability as a spindle throne and can get a bit bouncy when playing. I have a few of the models you reviewed. I tend to use the Ahead at home for practice sessions. I have a few Roc-N-Sock thrones including a hydraulic, that I use on gigs where I don’t have a lot of setup time or space. I also have the Gibraltar round top which I almost never use the top for, but do use the base with my Porter & Davies top. I will admit most people don’t have the same issues I have with hydraulic thrones, but I’m a little bit on the taller side and definitely on the heavier side. Great video!
Thanks for sharing! I don’t quite get the height issue-hydraulics have infinite adjustability within their range. I’ve actually found my hydraulic thrones to have less wobble than spindles since there are fewer screwing in parts and the central rod is chunkier. But yeah, totally get that different setups work better for different people!
@@GideonWaxman I definitely get the different thrones work better for different people. I tend to like to sit at about 25". The hydraulic thrones I've worked with have a maximum height of 24". When hydraulic thrones are maxed out it tend to have a bit of a dip in height when they're sat on depending on your weight. I usually end up losing an inch or two of height which puts the throne at 22". At that height I run into issues with knee pain when playing for a long period. For people who sit lower this wouldn't be an issue since they can overshoot the height with the hydraulic and have it settle at the height they want. While I'm a big guy, I've seen people much smaller than me still have a dip in height when they sit on the throne.
@@drskilleto I just tested my Roc N Soc and Tama Hydraulic ergo rider- they barely drop for me, about 1cm or 0.4 of an inch. So barely noticeable, but its an interesting point.
I play heel up and it seems like the pneumatic adjustment works against me while playing. An easy adjustment like this without the bounce is something I wish someone would make.
Nice selection, Gideon. I've been watching a guy called Brandon Green, and on the basis of his medical expertise (he plays drums too) I'd discount many of those off the bat. Personal choice every time of course, but worth doing a bit of research and actual testing before parting with your hard earned 🙂
Appreciate it! I agree comfort is more of a personal choice-what works for one drummer might not work for another. But build quality/ firmness and ease-of-use are quantifiable and I think these insights will help people know what's good before buying!
Thanks for the recommendations! I'm a bit undecided since in my country, the Gibraltar 6608 costs around 97 USD and the DW 5000 around 164 USD, not sure if it's worth the price jump, other options are just too expensive here, what's your opinion?
@@GideonWaxman It has just become available, the Gibraltar 9608 is slightly cheaper, around 138 dollars. I think the doubt now is between this and the DW.
NOT SURE IF THEY STILL SELL THEM OR MAKE THEM I GOT THE ( DW 91O1 LOW TRIPOD ROUND DRUM THRONE ) IT HAS A SMALLER STAND BASE WITH LEGS WELL SPREAD OUT FAR COMPARED TO THE ( DW 91OO ) CAN SPIN UP REALLY HIGH IT'S SUPER HEAVY DUTY AND EXTREMELY VERY COMFORTABLE I'VE HAD IT FOR OVER 15 OR LIKE 17 YEARS NOW HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN AND IT'S BEEN IN MY ROOM ON THE ROAD STILL HOLDING UP STRONG COMING FROM A $3O BUCK THRONE THAT GAVE ME BACK PAIN AFTER 2 HOURS OF PLAYING THIS DW THRONE CO$T A LOT MORE AND HAS BEEN WORTH EVERY PENNY CENT$ PAID FOR HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT
Hi great question! I might look into doing a video on seats with backs down the line, but for this comparison, I focused on the more common thrones without backs to keep it a fair comparison!
Give me the Gibraltar 9608 or DW5000 any day. I don’t get how people can enjoy sitting on those oversized non round type seats, especially if they have wobble. I also need to be able to fit the top in my traps case, so those big round ones are no good either. And four legs? That’s just more weight for no benefit in stability IMO. Ultimately, whatever works for you I guess.
The air-lift thrones are not "better". In fact, for many of us the bouncing and rotation is a big minus. For the best stability of the body and the least energy expenditure, the throne should be rigid. Oh, and my fave is the Tama 1st chair with a spindle.
Videos of someone saying that the best drum throne is and why is stupid. It is all bassed on personal preference and comfort. If a throne is suggested to be the best and the reasons make sense and I buy it, I may not actually end up liking it. You have to go and try out thrones for yourself to see what you like and feel is comfortable. What one person likes and uses you may hate. These videos do not tell you much other than a starting point of what stools to try out. I would even try the throne that was said to be the worst as you may think it is great. You really do not learn much with these videos other than the features of the thrones. You have to go try them out to find the one you like. Relying on a video for what throne is best does not work as it is all personal preference
Yeah comfort is personal, but I’m sharing my honest, impartial thoughts based on all the key factors (build quality, ease-of-use, etc) to help people make an informed choice. Everyone’s different, which is why I cover as much as I can (and completely impartially) to help narrow it down. I tested these fairly, and ultimately, I’m letting everyone know which ones I liked the most and which I’d trust to use day in and day out.
The video should show a more fit man or a regular size player, even a woman using those thrones. Under that fat ass each one looked tiny (those are 95 kg at least). The best throne is the one that the player find after exploration, daily use and comparison. This video can show features but that's it. Sadly, the presenter praises the worst of all features: the hydraulic adjustment. My advice. If your kit is not properly setup every throne will be uncomfortable and a detrimental device in your playing. Finding the right setup could take years. It took me 2 years to find the right placement and seat height. Now, my old thrones are equally useful and comfortable. The difference is the feeling on the padding and the edges. But that's it. Of course lower quality thrones might wobble even with proper adjustments because of them design.
Check out the drum thrones here! 🥁
Roc N Soc Nitro Drum Throne - drumhelper.com/recommends/roc-n-soc-nitro-drum-throne/
Tama First Chair Ergo-Rider Hydraulic Throne - drumhelper.com/recommends/tama-first-chair-ergo-rider-hydraulic/
DW 9120 Air Lift Drum Throne - drumhelper.com/recommends/dw-9120-air-lift-drum-throne/
Gibraltar 9608 Round Top Drum Throne - drumhelper.com/recommends/gibraltar-9608-round-top-drum-throne/
Yamaha DS950 Tractor Drum Throne - drumhelper.com/recommends/yamaha-ds950-tractor-drum-throne/
DW 5000 Series Drum Throne - drumhelper.com/recommends/dw-5000-round-top-drum-throne/
Ahead SPG-BL4 Spinal Glide Drum Throne - drumhelper.com/recommends/ahead-spg-bl4-spinal-glide-drum-throne/
Gibraltar 6608 Motorcycle Drum Throne - drumhelper.com/recommends/gibraltar-6608-motorcycle-drum-throne/
Gideon, sincerely, thank you very much for this video. It was very well made, I could clearly see all those thrones with their features, very well explained, great comments, honest observations, it was extremely useful for me. Thank you mate.
Thank you so much!! That really means a lot and I'm glad you found it helpful.
I got the Ludwig Blue and Olive badge seat, and I LOVE it!
Hi Gideon, great video - as always! I was quite surprised by your comments about the Pearl Roadster. I've actually got this throne and although it does move around slightly from side to side, I figured it was meant to do this due the little gasket thing directly under the seat! My main reason for buying this throne was the backrest. It is adjustable in how deep or shallow you can have it and for my frame it was the most comfortable. I have a very hollow back and some displaced discs at the bottom of my spine so need a rest that really presses into me. Prior to that I used the RocnSoc's for years but eventually looked for something else because the back rest was just not supportive enough. Just goes to show that with stools (and most of the hand/foot drum equipment) you really must try these items in person before buying. Trouble is finding a drum shop that stocks all of the brands! 😂 Cheers!
I have the Gibraltar round top seat and its just like good. Solid and comfy
Glad to hear it!
Your video gets an 11/10 from me. Perfect 10/10 because I can’t agree more about every single rating you’ve given, but that extra and impossible 11th point comes from one specific beef that I’ve had, ever since NAMM 2015.
The Ahead Spinal Glide throne.
Man oh man, I thought I’d found my forever throne. Touted as the perfect throne for heavy duty, large and tall (I’m 6’4 and 200lbs), back problems, etc. I thought that was the silver bullet, the throne to end all thrones.
That thing is a miserable piece of shit. Over engineered and under engineered all at the same time, somehow? It’s cheaply built and gimmicky, just like every other thing that Ahead makes.
I was a starving 22 year old, living on minimum wage, trying to pay my bills, eat at least once a day, but I figured that this was an investment, right? Wrong. It was $220 USD wasted (and back then, that was unheard of), a bitter lesson learned. The spindle locking mechanism began to wobble, so that it couldn’t stay locked in place ever. The soft cushions mash together as soon as you sit on it, negating any perceived benefits for your spine (that’s all horseshit anyways.) At the time, it was a 4 legged design, which is also inherently inferior. More legs doesn’t mean more stability. You ever sit on a wobbly chair? It’s because one of the FOUR legs isn’t the same length. It’s physically impossible to have that issue with 3 legged designs. Well, the Ahead managed to have that wobble issue with its stupid 4 legs, on top of the structural play that had worked its way into the body of the thing. The mechanism that locks the base of the seat to the spindle had the same issue as the spindle adjustment, started coming loose, wouldn’t stay tightened. The thin pleather underside began to tear away and reveal a flimsy plywood base underneath that the pleather was haphazardly stapled to.
In the end, I sold the damn thing to guitar center after 2.5 years of owning it. Did I mention I ever even gigged with the thing? I baby my hardware like nobody else I’ve ever seen. I had to physically disguise certain aspects of the throne so that GC would take it off my hands. Every time I rant about this on Reddit, I’m the one cantankerous bastard shouting in opposition to the masses, getting downvoted to oblivion by the echo chamber of yes men in the comments. I won’t let this die. I spent my last penny on this piece of shit and it was nothing but a disappointment from beginning to end.
I turned around and used the store credit to buy a tama 1st chair hydraulic, and in 8 years, I haven’t had a singular issue. I tested everything they had in store. The tama baaaaarely squeaked past the roc n soc based on how sturdy it felt, they were neck and neck. I think the DW airlift, had they had one, would have made the decision a bit harder, because like you said, that thing almost deserves an 11 based on feel alone.
All in all, your ratings are perfect in my book. Couldn’t have been more spot on.
And once more for good measure, fuck Ahead, fuck their products, fuck everything they stand for, and fuck anybody who mindlessly defends them just because they got duped into buying the most useless and overhyped product you could possibly sit on.
Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it and agree with the ratings too.🥁
So many don’t spend on seat. 🎉🎉🎉I love the roc n soc.
I have the Roc N Soc Nitro and, while it’s very comfortable and the bike seat design relieves the pain in my thighs, I have two major issues with it. 1- I do NOT like seats that swivel. Anyone who’s setup on a small stage and tried to sit down only to have the seat spin around knows you can hurt yourself. And just try to reposition it by lifting the seat and moving it - the whole thing spins out of control. 2- This is a huge problem: After the gig, the seat gets frozen to the center shaft. I had a bandmate hold one part while I tried in vain to free the seat. This has happened multiple times. I consider the Roc N Soc a “nice try” but ultimately would rate it 5 out of 10. If it didn’t swivel and had an easier release it would be 10/10.
I think I’ll consider the Yamaha.
Very well made and informative video btw! I like it
Thank you! I appreciate it 🙌
I have the tama ergo rider. No regrets here!
Good choice!
Hi,
Good video - well presented and researched.
I use the Ahead Spinal-G Drum Throne with Backrest and have had it for 10 months, replacing a Gibraltar velour motorcycle throne. I have found this has improved my comfort and helps with preserving stamina - its very comfy. Sole gripe is that it tends to drop height during a gig, but I've remedied that with a jubilee clip.
Glad you liked it, and thanks for sharing your experience with the Spinal G!
great video! I never liked the bouncy feel of a hydraulic throne, but that depends on everyones personal taste. I definitely encourage everyone to buy a high quality/price throne. I am playing on my tama first chair sattle throne since 13 years now and it doesn't move a bit. everything is smooth as it was on the first day. and it has the nice but pricy addon of a good back rest. In super long studio sessions I prefer the ahead spinal glide tho, because of a damaged disk in my lower spine. this thing totally helps with back pain :) keep up the great content!
Thanks a lot! I appreciate it! Yup - it's always worth investing in a good seat. And sure I realize not everyone will like the hydraulic/gas lift bounce but now I"m used to it I'm a fan. 😃
Thanks man! This is super helpful.
Glad to hear! Appreciate the kind words dude.
I use the Spinal Glide throne since about 2015, and it’s the best one I’ve ever had. Great for long sessions, very comfortable and sturdy!
Glad to hear it! How has the build quality held up over the last 10 years?
@@GideonWaxman apart from minor scuffs from moving it from gig to gig, pretty well. However, I am anal about all my equipment, so I take good care of it.
@steliosbeastdrums Nice! Glad to hear it. I've heard mixed things from long term owners, some people have serious rattles/wobbling but glad yours is doing well!
And you're bringing the funky tunes!!
ive got the spinal glide motorcycle style, had it for 4 years now and ive got no complaints, i honestly find it in my opinion to be the best throne ive ever used. i do however use the 3 legged base from a pearl roadster for my spinal glide as i find it to be more lighter to lug around to gigs with my hardware bag. So i just have the original spinal glide base setup for my Ekit and use the roadster base for gigs.
I hav the spinal glide too with zero problems its the only throne I will ever need, I bought the 3 leg version , they do 3 and 4 leg.
I do the same thing with my Spinal Glide. I use a DW base with my Spinal Glide. The seat has retained it's shape over the 6 years I've owned it. My tail bone issues disappeared when I started using it.
great vid king!
Thanks!! I appreciate it 🙏😊
Great video, I just got a Pork Pie throne on order from L and M. Hope it is as good as it looks for my old kiester.
Great subject! been waiting for a video on thrones.
Cheers - glad you liked it!
I prefer spindle because I know my height and I like to just lock it in at the height I use it at. Plus one less thing to break.
That's fair! From my experience my music university was full of broken, super wobbly spindle thrones! I can’t tell you how many times I worked out rudiments while sliding all over the place haha.
Sick selection!!
The DW Santa Monica canister style throne is the best throne ever. Firm round seat. It's ridiculously expensive (about $1K in 2024) but you can sit high and there is absolutely zero wobble. It's so stable it feels like you're sitting on the ground. And you can store hardware/pedal/stick bag inside.
The DW 9000 round seat/spindle throne is also excellent if you want a firm seat, minimal wobble and zero movement. Also, both thrones have vinyl seats that are slightly grippy whereas my old Tama Ergo Rider thrones were very slippery depending on what fabric your pants are made from.
I use four legged thrones only. They are much more sturdy than three legged ones. And I need spine rest to support my back and keep me in one place while playing
You seem to be hyperfixated with the air lift system, but I'd choose the spindle over it 11 out of 10 times.
The air lift systems tend to break faster than the spindles, they are more expensive and usually way less stable and annoyingly bouncy. Their only "advantage" is the supposed ease of adjustement, but that is only useful if you're sharing the throne with other people (and that would lead to breaking even faster due to the constant adjustments). The spindles on the other hand are more robust, less expensive, way more stable, and if you're the only one using the throne, once you have adjusted it to your height, you don't need to be constantly adjusting it again and again, you just lock it with a memory lock (extra points for the Gibraltar 9608), and done, it will stay in place for as long as you want. Even if you eventually need to make another occasional adjustment, it's not that hard that you can't do it in seconds, honestly.
From that list, my top 3 would be the Gibraltar 9608, the Yamaha and the spindle version of the Tama Ergorider. I can swear for the Gibraltar, I have a 9608 (the version with wider rubber feet) for more than 11 years now, and it's still virtually like new. Sturdy as the first day and the seat still firm. And it's one of the cheaper from those. Just a well built and quality throne, with no gimmick.
Agreed, I know my height 23” so I prefer spindle.
Agreed. I think air lift seats are actually harder to get the height exactly where you want. Spindles only take a few seconds to adjust so I don't see why people think air lift is a huge improvement.
I bought the DW 9120 to replace the roc n soc i had for over a decade. roc n soc wobbles so much it's ridiculous. If you're a big person like me, pay the extra money for DW.
Funny, I just went through an unexpected throne swap. I had an old cheap Soumd Percussion bicycle seat throne for decades. Replaced my entire kit and cymbals with a new Tama kit and Sabian HHX cymbals. Given a pretty large investment I decided to spoil myself with a new throne. I spent the $300 and got the Tama First Edition you reviewed. I have used everything Tama for over 30 years, but have to say, though that throne was super high quality it didn’t work for me me for a few reasons; first and foremost I was just too wide for me making it hard to throw my leg around (I’m 5’7”), second though the hydraulics are cool and convenient, I hate that it was so tempting to change the height. I have 2 going on 3 drummers in my immediate family and could never find my perfect height again when they changed it, third I didn’t like the bounce that much. I did some research, watch TH-cam reviews and polled Reddit. In the end everyone recommended the Roc’n’Soc first and the Pork Poe second. So, I got the Roc’n’Soc with the screw down stand. Coming with a memory lock I always have my perfect height saved. It’s comfortable, more bicycle like and was only $225. I made my 12 year old granddaughter very happy when I gave her the Tama throne!
Hey thanks for sharing your experience! Yeah, the right throne makes a huge difference. Glad the Roc N Soc is working out for you!
@ You bet! I’m just glad I ended up with a throne with a good score! 😎👍🏻
Yo this is actually really helpful!
Thanks! I appreciate it
We love you Gideon!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤
Great video man!!!
Appreciate it!
Bought a throne from temu. Damm great quality I was really impressed
I've only sat on 2 thrones. The first came with my Tama Imperial Star. I'm guessing it's the cheapest throne a person can find. Well it sucked. Months later I bought an Ahead Spinal G (round) I love it. I actually found myself bouncing around on it too much the first few days I had it.
For the money the best one I own is the Gibraltar Softy throne. Payed 130€ a few years ago.
Recently I've bought the Roland Saddle style because it was cheap, and it is actually one of the sturdiest I bought
I have both the Ahead Spinal G and the Roc-N Soc Nitro, and I have back rests on both. The Ahead is more comfortable to sit on for longer periods of time but mechanically it is not as good as the Roc-N-Soc. The back rest loosens up after a while so that you have to re-tighten it after a bit of playing. I also miss the hydraulic lift, and it is more difficult to pack and set up. So, I use the Ahead at home as my practice seat and use the Roc-N-Soc to play out. If Ahead would fix the issues I have listed, I believe it would be the best seat going, especially considering back support and comfort. I know that Ahead now has a hydraulic lift chair but it is in a four-leg version that I don't care for.
Awesome, thanks for sharing your experience! Yeah I agree the Ahead is really comfy but they can definitely improve the design.
I have the Mapex 875 and I liked it at first. The first issue was the constant tightening I had to do. But after a year, it wobbles to the point I don't want to use it anymore. I may keep the seat, but the base is a huge letdown. I definitely wouldn't recommend.
Yeah- always frustrating when something doesn’t hold up as expected. Hopefully you find a better base soon!
my main throne is my porter Davies bc2. I still have my Carmichael for my practice kit. 2 great thrones
You need a drum throne that doesnt spin (bad for your lower body and spine).. I suggest spending quite a buck for the Ahead Spinal Glide. I have never been fan of overspending but I have had this throne for more than 2 years now (I use it daily) and I can safely say that the Investment is really worth it.. Its your body after all
No drummer should spin whilst playing-it’s just a good quality of life feature for breaks and getting in and out of the seat. And I'm glad the Ahead Spinal Glide is working well for you long-term!
I bought a Gibraltar 9608 in 2023 and would not describe mine as firm. I find it's squishy and unstable giving the feeling that the seat is not firmly attached to the spindle. Gibraltar's site says it is 3.5" of memory foam. I think it would be better if they used a thinner layer of memory foam over a layer of firmer foam.
Pork Pie Drum Thrones. Nothing compares.
I get the ease of use for hydraulic lifts, but my roc n soc with ther feature completely gave out after a few years. No such degradation on a spindle mechanism, at least not in my experience.
I love drum
Good selection of thrones for this review. I do have to disagree with you on the use of hydraulic thrones. For me they never seem to get to the height I like. They don’t have the same type of stability as a spindle throne and can get a bit bouncy when playing.
I have a few of the models you reviewed. I tend to use the Ahead at home for practice sessions. I have a few Roc-N-Sock thrones including a hydraulic, that I use on gigs where I don’t have a lot of setup time or space. I also have the Gibraltar round top which I almost never use the top for, but do use the base with my Porter & Davies top.
I will admit most people don’t have the same issues I have with hydraulic thrones, but I’m a little bit on the taller side and definitely on the heavier side. Great video!
Thanks for sharing! I don’t quite get the height issue-hydraulics have infinite adjustability within their range. I’ve actually found my hydraulic thrones to have less wobble than spindles since there are fewer screwing in parts and the central rod is chunkier. But yeah, totally get that different setups work better for different people!
@@GideonWaxman I definitely get the different thrones work better for different people. I tend to like to sit at about 25". The hydraulic thrones I've worked with have a maximum height of 24". When hydraulic thrones are maxed out it tend to have a bit of a dip in height when they're sat on depending on your weight. I usually end up losing an inch or two of height which puts the throne at 22". At that height I run into issues with knee pain when playing for a long period.
For people who sit lower this wouldn't be an issue since they can overshoot the height with the hydraulic and have it settle at the height they want. While I'm a big guy, I've seen people much smaller than me still have a dip in height when they sit on the throne.
@@drskilleto I just tested my Roc N Soc and Tama Hydraulic ergo rider- they barely drop for me, about 1cm or 0.4 of an inch. So barely noticeable, but its an interesting point.
I play heel up and it seems like the pneumatic adjustment works against me while playing. An easy adjustment like this without the bounce is something I wish someone would make.
Nice selection, Gideon. I've been watching a guy called Brandon Green, and on the basis of his medical expertise (he plays drums too) I'd discount many of those off the bat. Personal choice every time of course, but worth doing a bit of research and actual testing before parting with your hard earned 🙂
Appreciate it! I agree comfort is more of a personal choice-what works for one drummer might not work for another. But build quality/ firmness and ease-of-use are quantifiable and I think these insights will help people know what's good before buying!
Most expensive drum throne is a Porter and Davis
True but that's down to the added monitoring system rather than the seat itself! Cool seats though - I've used them before!
Thanks for the recommendations! I'm a bit undecided since in my country, the Gibraltar 6608 costs around 97 USD and the DW 5000 around 164 USD, not sure if it's worth the price jump, other options are just too expensive here, what's your opinion?
Glad you liked it! Is the Gibraltar 9608 available? I think the DW 5000 is worth the price jump, and it'll offer more value in the long term!
@@GideonWaxman It has just become available, the Gibraltar 9608 is slightly cheaper, around 138 dollars. I think the doubt now is between this and the DW.
NOT SURE IF THEY STILL SELL THEM OR MAKE THEM I GOT THE ( DW 91O1 LOW TRIPOD ROUND DRUM THRONE ) IT HAS A SMALLER STAND BASE WITH LEGS WELL SPREAD OUT FAR COMPARED TO THE ( DW 91OO ) CAN SPIN UP REALLY HIGH IT'S SUPER HEAVY DUTY AND EXTREMELY VERY COMFORTABLE I'VE HAD IT FOR OVER 15 OR LIKE 17 YEARS NOW HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN AND IT'S BEEN IN MY ROOM ON THE ROAD STILL HOLDING UP STRONG COMING FROM A $3O BUCK THRONE THAT GAVE ME BACK PAIN AFTER 2 HOURS OF PLAYING THIS DW THRONE CO$T A LOT MORE AND HAS BEEN WORTH EVERY PENNY CENT$ PAID FOR HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT
No seats with a back?
Hi great question! I might look into doing a video on seats with backs down the line, but for this comparison, I focused on the more common thrones without backs to keep it a fair comparison!
Give me the Gibraltar 9608 or DW5000 any day.
I don’t get how people can enjoy sitting on those oversized non round type seats, especially if they have wobble. I also need to be able to fit the top in my traps case, so those big round ones are no good either.
And four legs? That’s just more weight for no benefit in stability IMO.
Ultimately, whatever works for you I guess.
The Yamaha DS950 is no longer available.
The air-lift thrones are not "better". In fact, for many of us the bouncing and rotation is a big minus. For the best stability of the body and the least energy expenditure, the throne should be rigid. Oh, and my fave is the Tama 1st chair with a spindle.
Pork pie. End of story
Videos of someone saying that the best drum throne is and why is stupid. It is all bassed on personal preference and comfort. If a throne is suggested to be the best and the reasons make sense and I buy it, I may not actually end up liking it. You have to go and try out thrones for yourself to see what you like and feel is comfortable. What one person likes and uses you may hate. These videos do not tell you much other than a starting point of what stools to try out. I would even try the throne that was said to be the worst as you may think it is great. You really do not learn much with these videos other than the features of the thrones. You have to go try them out to find the one you like. Relying on a video for what throne is best does not work as it is all personal preference
Let the guy make his video that was actually quite informative!
He mentioned which was HIS favourite.
He never mentioned that it should be yours.
Yeah comfort is personal, but I’m sharing my honest, impartial thoughts based on all the key factors (build quality, ease-of-use, etc) to help people make an informed choice. Everyone’s different, which is why I cover as much as I can (and completely impartially) to help narrow it down. I tested these fairly, and ultimately, I’m letting everyone know which ones I liked the most and which I’d trust to use day in and day out.
The video should show a more fit man or a regular size player, even a woman using those thrones. Under that fat ass each one looked tiny (those are 95 kg at least).
The best throne is the one that the player find after exploration, daily use and comparison. This video can show features but that's it. Sadly, the presenter praises the worst of all features: the hydraulic adjustment.
My advice. If your kit is not properly setup every throne will be uncomfortable and a detrimental device in your playing. Finding the right setup could take years. It took me 2 years to find the right placement and seat height. Now, my old thrones are equally useful and comfortable. The difference is the feeling on the padding and the edges. But that's it. Of course lower quality thrones might wobble even with proper adjustments because of them design.