Playing Seat

[Skip Ellis]

Thinking of getting some sort of drum throne with a back for use at my recording desk (which is across the room from my desktop). For my desktop, I have a gamer type office chair from Staples but the plastic sockets for the wheels keep breaking, plus I'm tired of dragging it across the room all the time.

Do any of you use one of those fancy, stationary, screw type drum thrones for a playing seat? Don't want the pneumatic type as they seem to go bad a lot from what I've read. I know the 'Sound Seat' is popular with some, but I can't really justify the price.

What 's out there for me to look at in $100-$150 range or less (less would be better). I've seen some people on forums recommending some sort of metal folding chair from Home Depot - any info on these? Any of the stuff on Amazon any good?

[DawgBone]

Roc-n-Soc throne with a backrest on it. The nitrogen filled shock is high quality and reliable. About twice the price you wanted to spend once you add the backrest. Very comfortable and durable for extended use. Buy once, cry once. Basically a lifetime piece of gear. If you are going to woodshed for hours and hours on it we are talking about a relatively affordable purchase and well worth it.

This is 2023. A $100 throne will be an affordable way to make your back hurt. That's junk level pricing these days. Is any of the chinese junk sold on amazon any good? Not really. Maybe someone else has some more reasonably priced options but I can definitely vouch for the comfort of the roc n soc.

[callouscallus]

Spending 4 to 8 hours a day playing a guitar in a chair requires a certain kind of chair. I bought a SoundSeat. It's held up well but it has got a bit creaky after couple years of use. Doesn't really bug me too much as the comfort level and leather have held up well.
If I was recording more I'd probably got for the RocnSoc mentioned above

[rolijen]

I use this:
Boss Office Products Be Well Medical Spa Stool with Back in Vinyl, Black

It’s not fancy, but it works really well. I sit on it to teach. I sit on it to play guitar. I sit on it to play keyboard. I can’t imagine it wouldn’t also be great for your purpose. It felt a little firm at first, but I really grew to like it. Quality is great and the price is very reasonable. My dad had similar stools in his dental office to sit on while treating patients. That’s where I got the notion. No arm to get in your way, good back support, a thick seat cushion, and good wheels to allow easy movement.

Here is my daughter playing my ES-175 seated on the “medical” stool.

[rolijen]

Here’s a pic of the stool alone:

[jazzshrink]

Have you checked out these threads?
Guitar Seat/Stool Recommendations
Another Practice Chair Thread
Portable Chair For Gigs?

[jazzshrink]

I'm not sure if the Soundseat is still available. J.R. Baker, owner/designer of Soundseat, died in 2013 and his widow, Bretta, took over the business. The website is still up (not updated since 2020), but my inquiries at the end of 2022 went unanswered.

[Woody Sound]

I prefer a triangular seat, with my legs on either side of the front “point.” When I play on a square chair, I sorta sit on the left front corner anyway.

[Skip Ellis]

Here’s a pic of the stool alone:

I went to Amazon and looked at it - not bad....but.....I couldn't tell from the photos - is the socket that the caster fits into, metal or plastic? The problem with the one I have now is that the socket that receives the caster is plastic, and any sideways force breaks it. If it's metal, it might just do what I want.

[sgosnell]

I bought an Ikea wooden straight chair from the thrift store for very little money, in almost new condition. I liked it a lot and used it until my wife stole it from me for her own use. I'm currently using an office chair until I can find a suitable replacement. I prefer a standard wooden straight chair for playing over what is usually sold as guitar chairs, but that's just me.

[rolijen]

I went to Amazon and looked at it - not bad....but.....I couldn't tell from the photos - is the socket that the caster fits into, metal or plastic? The problem with the one I have now is that the socket that receives the caster is plastic, and any sideways force breaks it. If it's metal, it might just do what I want.

the caster shoves into a metal hole at the base of each metal leg. I like mine so much, I bought another to use with my other keyboard. So, one in the studio, one in the family room.

[rpjazzguitar]

I use a DW drum throne, which I think was about $80 at GC maybe 5 years ago. It doesn't have a back, which never seems to bother me when I'm playing, but bothers me when I think about it. If I had to do it over, I might get one with a back. Or, maybe, since I'm playing leaning forward over the guitar, the back doesn't matter.

The top (the circular padded part) separates easily from the hardware. It's not particuarly light but it packs up small.

Since I always play with my foot on a volume pedal, and I wanted to be a little higher than a regular chair (I think it looks a little better than singing from a low chair), I raise the throne maybe an extra 4-6" and put a briefcase under my pedalboard.

I played two out of three sets at yesterday's gig, standing up. Yup, the first two. For the third, I sat back down.

[marcwhy]

I'm not sure if the Soundseat is still available. J.R. Baker, owner/designer of Soundseat, died in 2013 and his widow, Bretta, took over the business. The website is still up (not updated since 2020), but my inquiries at the end of 2022 went unanswered.

[Yes, they are still in business -- very nice people!]

[jazzshrink]

[Yes, they are still in business -- very nice people!]

That's great to hear. When was the last time you communicated with them?

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I’ve used an armless desk chair from Amazon Basics (ASIN # B08LHRNR24) for about a year. It’s very comfortable and seems pretty tough. I use it at least 3 hours every day, and it’s still like new. Despite being plastic, the casters roll and change direction very smoothly. They came already installed, so I don’t know what kind of socket they’re in. But they remain solidly in place, and the upholstery is still unmarried. It’s now up to $80 from the $70 I payed. The seat cushion is short enough to stay out of the way, and I think it’s a great choice. I’d buy it again without hesitation.

[marcwhy]

That's great to hear. When was the last time you communicated with them?

A few months ago before Christmas-time: I was helping a student's wife with an order!