10/02/2014

To Improve Your Comfort Behind YourDrum Set-up, Be Wise and Begin Utilizing A Backrest!

By Victor Salazar


A well constructed drum throne with infinite height adjustability is one of the most critical pieces of gear that a drummer can own. We drummers spend many hours sitting behind our setups and need to use a high quality drum throne to get maximum comfort and support in order to help us achieve the best results while playing.

For those who require more back support, you may want to think about 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 make thrones that include a backrest or backrests that can be added to your current throne. If you're considering adding a backrest or purchasing a new throne with a backrest, there are several important things to keep in mind:

1. ALWAYS place 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. DON'T lean back on your backrest while you're drumming. Leaning back may impede your ability to reach every component on your set. You should maintain proper posture and only lean back to stretch when you're not actively playing.

3. While drumming, the backrest should only lightly touch your back and serve as a constant reminder to keep proper posture. If you lose contact, it could suggest that you're slouching forward.

Not every add-on backrest is compatible with every throne on the market. Certain backrests like those sold 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 on a Tama throne. The 2 aren't compatible. So before you rush out to buy an add-on backrest, make sure it will fit the make and model of your existing throne.

Gibraltar produces a universal add-on backrest that fits most major manufacturers' thrones by clamping straight 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 setups incredibly more comfortable. A comfortable drummer is a happy and more productive drummer!

Should you have any questions or want specific recommendations concerning your drum throne backrest decisions or dilemmas, feel free to reach out. I'm always here to help!






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