In this episode of Gear Tips, Sound Pure percussion specialist Paul Spencer tells us what to look for when shopping for a throne.
Although a throne might not be the most glamorous piece of equipment, it is the foundation of a player’s control and that makes picking out the perfect throne very important decision.
The Base
Starting from the ground up, the base will be the first aspect of the throne we discuss. You want to make sure the throne you select has a nice, steady base that doesn’t wobble around while you are sitting on it. A double braced base tends to make the sturdiest legs for a throne. This could lead to adding a little more weight to your hardware bag, but the benefits of a sturdier throne will outweigh that issue.
Spindle Base Vs Hydraulic Base
The other aspect to look for while looking at the base of a throne is how the height adjust. There are two different mechanisms that control the height of the throne. One being a spindle base, and the other a hydraulic base. A spindle base will allow you to spin the top of the throne and the height will adjust accordingly. Hydraulic bases are going to be like office chairs, where you pull a lever and the height can be adjusted. This will allow you to adjust the throne quickly, but these types might feel bouncier than a spindle-based throne. There are also thrones that can be adjusted with pre-drilled holes, but these will limit the ranges of height the throne will have.
Spindle Base
Hydraulic Base
Material and Softness of the Seat
The next aspects of the throne you should look for is the material and softness of the seat. While testing the softness of a throne, Paul references the story of Goldilocks and the three bears. You don’t want a throne that is too hard or too soft, but somewhere right in the middle. This will keep your back supported during those three-hour gigs.
The Shape of the Seat
The last factor of the throne to consider is the shape of the seat itself. There are two options, a round seat, and a motorcycle shaped seat. Round seats are not quite as bulky as motorcycle throne seats, and can be just fine if you are a smaller player or only gig a few nights a week. Larger players typically enjoy the motorcycle throne because it is a bigger seat, and the shape tends to cushion your backside more when you’re sitting on it for long periods of time. The notch of the seat also typically feels more ergonomic in the legs and gives you a little more stability while playing.
Round Throne
Motorcycle throne
All in all, it is important to find a throne that fits you the best and allows you to sit on for hours at a time! If you have any other questions or in need of advice, give us a call!