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This review is all about the best drum thrones available to purchase in 2023. A good throne will support you physically and provide the platform you need to perform at your peak on the drum set. Nowadays drum thrones come in many shapes and sizes and with lots of optional upgrades too.
In this article we’ll look at some of the most comfortable, reliable and best value drum thrones around as well as give you some insight into what you should look out for when purchasing.
Here are the best drum thrones 2023:
- Roc-N-Soc Nitro
- DW 5000 Series DWCP5120
- Gibraltar 6608
- Ahead Spinal-G
- Pork Pie Percussion Big Boy
- Roland RDT-SHV
- Pearl D790
- PDP 700 Series PDDT720
- Gretsch GR9608-2
- Ludwig Atlas Round LAP51TH
1. Roc-N-Soc Nitro
The overall best drum throne
Roc-N-Soc is an American company with a reputation for providing quality seating to artists all over the world. As we know, seating is tremendously important for drummers and luckily Roc-N-Soc take that issue seriously.
Their Nitro hydraulic throne brings an added level of comfort to drum seats as it has the ability to absorb shock and reduce fatigue on the back. Most drum thrones focus on the seat itself and the foam padding without taking into account any other shock absorption.
While this drum throne is not cheap, it’s not the most expensive either, and you can even purchase the saddle on its own, without the Roc-N-Soc base. These seats will fit most standard throne bases such as those made by other brands including Gibraltar.
There is a 6-inch range with the Roc-N-Soc Nitro, which allows settings of 18 inches to 24 inches. The base is double-braced and collapsable which makes for easy transportation. The Nitro comes in a tractor seat design as well as a regular round design. Also they have made the throne so that it can sit freely on the base for easy swiveling.
Image credit: Roc-N-Soc
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The Roc-N-Soc Nitro remains one of the most popular drum thrones around. It’s built to last and the seat itself is one of the most comfortable to sit on. Compared to certain other thrones the Nitro will provide hours of comfort while you play.
2. DW 5000 Series DWCP5120
Runner-up
Next on our list is the DW 5000 Series drum throne. This has a few notable similarities with the Roc-N-Soc Nitro. It’s a tractor seat style design with a vinyl material cover, which is a smoother finish to the Nitro’s material. The material is more water-resistant and less porous than the Roc-N-Soc.
The DWCP5120 has a height range of 8 inches, from 21 to 29, so that makes it on the taller side of a lot of drum thrones. It also makes it more adaptable to other instruments and settings. Height is adjusted by way of swiveling. It also comes with sturdy 1-1/8-inch double-braced hardware.
Image credit: Drum Workshop
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The DWCP5120 takes our runner-up spot due to the good value that it represents. This is a solid and sturdy yet comfortable throne and will suit many players down to the ground.
3. Gibraltar 6608
The best budget drum throne
On the cheaper side in the world of drum thrones, we have the Gibraltar 6608. This is a cheap and inexpensive solution for many drummers. Gibraltar are well known for creating sturdy and reliable drum hardware and the 6608 represents one of their budget products.
This throne has a lot going for it. Design-wise it looks very similar to the DW 5000 Series drum throne. It has a tractor-style saddle with a vinyl covering and foam padding.
While the throne has a similar finish to the DWCP5120 it has identical height options to the Roc-N-Soc Nitro. You can choose between any heights from 18 inches to 24 inches and use the fastening nut and the memory lock to secure the position.
Image credit: Gibraltar Hardware
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The Gibraltar 6608 is a great drum throne for the money. It lacks a lot of the finer features of the more expensive drum thrones but it gives great bang for your buck.
The height adjustment design means that changing height positions is not as easily done during performances (as you’ll need a drum key to loosen and tighten the memory lock) but this is one way Gibraltar have come up with to keep the overall costs down. And lower production costs should mean lower retail prices for the consumer, and we can all appreciate that.
4. Ahead Spinal-G
If you like to own the latest gadgets then the Ahead Spinal-G drum throne might be for you. Ahead are an American company who started out making baseball bats and arrows from space-grade aluminium. After a period they decided to enter the drumstick market, producing durable and consistent sticks for professionals and amateurs alike. Now they are entering into the drum hardware market and this throne is an example of the new ideas and technologies that Ahead are bringing to the table.
This drum throne looks like no other especially when it comes to the seating area. The saddle has been split in two, so that there are 2 separate areas for either leg. The logic here is that this gives you more control over both leg positions at the one time.
With a traditional throne, in theory, some pressure downwards from the left leg could and might shift the position of the right leg, even a little. With Ahead’s new approach there is greater separation between the two legs.
This center channel also minimizes pressure on the tailbone of the player. Ahead tell us that this is one of the best drum thrones for reducing fatigue and minimizing back problems.
Image credit: Ahead
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The Ahead Spinal-G Drum is a heavy-duty drum throne which will suit players of all sizes, from small to extra-large. It’s very comfortable although it is a little bulky when it comes to transporting it about. The velour seat top will also keep bare legs from sticking to it, something which can be an issue with traditional vinyl coverings.
5. Pork Pie Percussion Big Boy
The Big Boy throne is, as the name might suggest, a drum throne for big guys and gals. This throne has comfort, stability and style. It’s extra-durable with strong stitching and a sleek velour finish.
The seat itself is padded with comfortable foam which has been contoured to accommodate players of all sizes. Pork Pie Percussion offer drum thrones in both the round variety as well as the bicycle seat or tractor seat variety.
Image credit: Pork Pie Percussion
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This drum throne is a popular seat amongst drummers of a larger disposition. The height range is from 20.5 inches to 27 inches, so it’s not an ideal throne if you like to sit very low down. With that said, it’s extremely comfortable, stable and looks great – that’s if you like your throne to stand out.
6. Roland RDT-SHV
Roland are well known in the drumming community for their contributions to electronic drums. Traditionally they have a history of producing instruments and equipment for a wide range of musicians and music professionals. In more recent times they have made a foray into the world of seating and, in particular, drum seating.
Their RDT-SHV saddle drum throne with hydraulic adjustment is a premium, high-end drum throne, with all the bells and whistles, so to speak. This seat comes with strong, double-braced legs which fold up naturally for transportation. On top of the seat you have a durable vinyl covering which is easily cleaned and comfortable to sit on – that’s if you don’t like to play bare-legged.
Height is controlled with a lift-to-raise adjusting lever. This allows you to switch up the height easily during performances, with no need to get your drum key out and start fiddling with memory locks. Height-wise there isn’t a great range to play around with. The Roland drum throne has a minimum height of 20 inches and a maximum of 25 inches. So if that’s within your preference, then you’re in luck.
Image credit: Roland
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The Roland RDT-SHV drum throne is a nice piece of kit and a considerably good drum stool. It’s robust and comfortable and feels like it’s built to last. The limited height range might mean that it will lose a few customers, namely low-riders and drummers that like to sit ‘on top’ of the drums.
7. Pearl D790
Drum heavyweights Pearl have their fingers in many pies when it comes to the instrument. Not only do they produce professional-level drum sets, but they are also renowned for their quality hardware. This D790 drum stool is a lightweight throne which won’t break the bank. It’s small and portable, yet has an 8-inch height range, from 18 at the lowest, to 26 at its maximum.
The seat is covered in a vinyl finish which houses the tightly-packed foam interior. This seat has fastening nuts at both the legs and at the seat base. These allow you to set the spread of the legs and also the height of the stool itself. This drum throne has what is sometimes referred to in marketing speak as, ‘infinite’ height adjustment options. This basically means that there are no pre-fixed positions or notches to be used as height settings.
Image credit: Pearl
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The D790 is a great option for anyone in need of a basic drum throne. It’s quite sturdy but lacks in the more advanced features that make the top-end drum thrones so sought after. It would be ideal for a parent looking to equip their child with a decent standard drum stool.
8. PDP 700 Series PDDT720
PDP is a brand of drum manufacturing which is closely linked to Drum Workshop, or DW. We’ve taken a look at the DW 5000 Series drum throne already (at #2 on our list) and now it’s time to check out what PDP have to offer.
First up, this drum throne is around half the price of the aforementioned DWCP5120. That’s bound to be a hit with many drummers on a budget. In contrast with the DW drum throne, this stool has a smaller height range. In fact this throne has one of the shortest ranges of all the thrones on our list. While the DW has a range from 21-29 inches, the PDP 700 has a 5-inch range from 20-25.
The saddle is bigger on certain other budget thrones, such as the previously mentioned Pearl D790. This seat is a tractor-style design, so it’s bigger all round. The padding is not quite as thick as the DWCP5120 which does affect the longevity of your comfort in any one session. The throne, folds up neatly, has a memory lock for height adjusting and is also fitted with double-braced legs.
Image credit: PDP
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The PDP 700 Series PDDT720 drum throne is a great beginner or entry-level drum stool. It’s not perfect but it’s certainly worth the money. Certain aspects of the throne may be of concern. If you prefer a throne that doesn’t swivel, for example, then that is not a strong point here. There is often a little play once the throne has been set, so if that matters to you, bear it in mind.
9. Gretsch GR9608-2
Gretsch are well known for a wide range of instruments, from drums to guitars. Their vintage look has been incorporated into this mid to top-range drum throne. First thing that is noticeable about the throne is the impressive Gretsch logo emblazoned across the seat face.
This is a 13-inch round seat with a spindle-style height adjuster. It can accommodate heights from 21 inches to 27 inches and weighs just under 20 lbs.
Image credit: Gretsch Drums
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The Gretsch GR9608-2 drum throne is a decent seat and quite comfortable. Fans of the alternative tractor seat or bicycle seat-style throne will likely be disappointed here. This is a good seat at a nice price and is well built to last.
10. Ludwig Atlas Round LAP51TH
The Ludwig Round LAP51TH drum throne is a classic round seat-type stool. It has a similar look and feel to the Gretsch drum throne. Both are round thrones with spindle height adjusters and 3 double-braced legs. It has a height range of 19 to 25 inches, so it favors the drummer who likes to be a bit closer to the ground.
The Atlas Round LAP51TH looks great too, with the iconic Ludwig logo. When it comes to sitting, the feeling is firm but supporting. This seat is a little firmer than the Gretsch but perfectly comfortable to sit on for long periods.
Image credit: Ludwig
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The Ludwig LAP51TH is a classic-looking drum throne with a classic feel. There are no fancy hydraulics here and everything is very intuitive to work with. The seat is comfortable and stable, with a firm cushion, although we would have liked to see it priced closer to the DWCP5120 or the Gretsch GR9608-2 drum throne.
How to choose the right drum throne?
It’s important to think before you make the purchase when looking at drum thrones. There are a few things to consider which will help you along on your way. Firstly, how long do you usually play for? This may seem irrelevant but if you play 3-4 hour practice sessions, then you’re gonna need a top-quality drum throne. If, on the other hand, you play as a hobbyist and for a max of 30 minutes at a time, then the chances are that you don’t need a pro-level drum throne.
Secondly, consider the physiology of the person using the drum throne. A small child will be fine with a sub $100 drum throne. The bigger person will be doing themselves a big favor by investing in quality when it comes to sitting at the drums. Don’t go too cheap when you need reliability, comfort and robustness.
Thirdly, what add-ons might you need, or perhaps even consider, in the future? If you’re a fan of a drum throne with a backrest then you’ll find that most of the top thrones on our list are compatible. On top of that, you can often shop around and find that you can purchase after-market backrests to fit on any stool. Many budget drum thrones do not, however, support backrests.
Lastly, you should consider if you need to buy the drum throne base with the drum saddle together. As with adding a backrest, it’s often possible to mix and match when it comes to thrones and bases. The Roc-N-Soc Nitro, at number 1 on our list, is compatible with certain Gibraltar bases. There are many other brands who offer bases which are compatible too.
Bear in mind that when mixing and matching products, you may miss out on what made the throne so desirable in the first place. You can, for example, purchase a Gibraltar base for a Roc-N-Soc but maybe you’ll have to forego the hydraulic element.
It’s good to know about the compatible parts that make up a drum throne. You never know if or when you’ll have to go searching for replacement parts, and it’s always easier if the manufacturer uses sizes and parts which are easier to come by when replacing or upgrading.
Conclusion
We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this drum throne review and finding out about some of the best drum thrones out there. As you can see, there are many options and features that you can avail of. Keep within your budget and have a good idea of how many hours you intend on sitting on the throne. Only then will you know which is the one for you.