Friday, September 26, 2014

To Maximize Your Comfort Behind YourDrum Kit, Be Smart and Start Using A Backrest!

By Victor Salazar


A well-built throne with infinite height adjustability is one of the most significant pieces of gear that a drummer can own. We drummers spend loads of hours sitting behind our set-ups and need to use a high quality throne to attain the highest level of 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 sell thrones that include a backrest or backrests that can be added to your existing throne. If you are thinking about adding a backrest or buying 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 4 legs, stability won't be an issue.

2. DON'T lean back on your backrest while you're playing. Leaning back may impede your ability to reach each component on your set-up. 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 use proper posture. If you lose contact, it could indicate that you are slouching forward.

Not every add-on backrest is compatible with every throne on the market. Certain backrests like those manufactured 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 drum throne.

Gibraltar makes 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 kits a lot more comfortable. A comfortable drummer is a happy and more productive drummer!

If you have any questions or need specific suggestions about your drum throne backrest decisions or dilemmas, feel free to reach out. I'm always here to help!






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