A well constructed throne with infinite height adjustability is one of the most critical pieces of gear that a drummer can have. We drummers spend lots of hours sitting behind our kits and need to use a high quality drum throne to get maximum comfort and support in order to help us get the best results while performing.
For those who require additional back support, you may want to consider using a throne with a backrest. Many drummers like Anton Fig from "The Late Show with David Letterman", Stewart Copeland of The Police, U2's Larry Mullen, Jr. and Jane's Addiction's Stephen Perkins all use backrests.
Companies like Roc N Soc, Tama, Gibraltar, Drum Workshop, and Pearl offer thrones that include a backrest or backrests that can be added to your current throne. If you are thinking about adding a backrest or getting a new throne with a backrest, there are several important things to keep in mind:
1. ALWAYS put one leg of the throne's tripod base directly behind you. This will dramatically decrease the chance of you leaning back and accidentally falling over. If you use a throne with four legs, stability will not be an issue.
2. DO NOT lean back on your backrest while you're playing. Leaning back may impede your ability to reach each component on your drum kit. You should maintain proper posture and only lean back to stretch when you're not actively playing.
3. While playing, the backrest should only lightly touch your back and serve as a constant reminder to remember proper posture. If you lose contact, it could indicate that you're slouching forward.
Not every add-on backrest is compatible with every throne on the market. Certain backrests like those offered by Drum Workshop and Pearl only work with specific throne models offered by each respective company. For example, you can't mount a Drum Workshop backrest onto a Tama throne. The 2 are not compatible. So before you rush out to buy an add-on backrest, be sure it will fit the make and model of your existing throne.
Gibraltar makes a universal add-on backrest that fits most major manufacturers' thrones by clamping directly to the throne's upper tube. However, it can't be used on hydraulic or lighter weight designs.
While backrests may not be necessary for every drummer, they certainly can make our time behind our kits exponentially more comfortable. A comfortable drummer is a happy and more productive drummer!
If you have any questions or need customized recommendations regarding your drum throne backrest decisions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch. I'm always here to help!
For those who require additional back support, you may want to consider using a throne with a backrest. Many drummers like Anton Fig from "The Late Show with David Letterman", Stewart Copeland of The Police, U2's Larry Mullen, Jr. and Jane's Addiction's Stephen Perkins all use backrests.
Companies like Roc N Soc, Tama, Gibraltar, Drum Workshop, and Pearl offer thrones that include a backrest or backrests that can be added to your current throne. If you are thinking about adding a backrest or getting a new throne with a backrest, there are several important things to keep in mind:
1. ALWAYS put one leg of the throne's tripod base directly behind you. This will dramatically decrease the chance of you leaning back and accidentally falling over. If you use a throne with four legs, stability will not be an issue.
2. DO NOT lean back on your backrest while you're playing. Leaning back may impede your ability to reach each component on your drum kit. You should maintain proper posture and only lean back to stretch when you're not actively playing.
3. While playing, the backrest should only lightly touch your back and serve as a constant reminder to remember proper posture. If you lose contact, it could indicate that you're slouching forward.
Not every add-on backrest is compatible with every throne on the market. Certain backrests like those offered by Drum Workshop and Pearl only work with specific throne models offered by each respective company. For example, you can't mount a Drum Workshop backrest onto a Tama throne. The 2 are not compatible. So before you rush out to buy an add-on backrest, be sure it will fit the make and model of your existing throne.
Gibraltar makes a universal add-on backrest that fits most major manufacturers' thrones by clamping directly to the throne's upper tube. However, it can't be used on hydraulic or lighter weight designs.
While backrests may not be necessary for every drummer, they certainly can make our time behind our kits exponentially more comfortable. A comfortable drummer is a happy and more productive drummer!
If you have any questions or need customized recommendations regarding your drum throne backrest decisions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch. I'm always here to help!
About the Author:
Victor Salazar is the proprietor of Vic's Drum Shop,
an internationally renowned drum and percussion store in Chicago, Illinois. The
vast knowledge of drum gear that he has accumulated over his forty year career has
made Vic a useful resource - and his store a well know shopping destination - for
beginning drummers, drumming hobbyists, professional drummers, and many of the
world's top drum superstars.
an internationally renowned drum and percussion store in Chicago, Illinois. The
vast knowledge of drum gear that he has accumulated over his forty year career has
made Vic a useful resource - and his store a well know shopping destination - for
beginning drummers, drumming hobbyists, professional drummers, and many of the
world's top drum superstars.
