Torn between thrones: Spinal G or Ergo Rider

[ZackPomerleau]

First off here is my website ZackPomerleau.com/epk I play around 25 times a month and half is one man band for context.

Wanted to make a post about drum thrones and inquire since I have a lot of drummer friends. I currently have a roc n soc hydraulic throne that is round and I’m pretty iffy on it lately. During my one man band gigs it’s fine but drumming I just find I’m uncomfortable and I gotta shake my legs out a lot. I keep seeing a lot about the Spinal G throne a split in it but I cannot find one anywhere locally to try. I also admit I’m kinda partial to the hydraulic because I adjust a lot for gigs and have had spindle ones fail, but hydraulic has never failed on me. They make a hydraulic but it has a fourth leg which to me makes no sense for gigging and stability.

I’ve currently tried a tractor style seat which I like better but I find the Roc N Soc variant is pretty dramatic. I tried a Pork Pie and I think it’s actually terrible. It was painful to use in lots of ways. I’m actually really on the fence between just buying a Spinal G with no shock or getting a Tama Ergo Rider which shape wise looks great and has awesome reviews. Not to mention goes a bit higher than my throne and the Spinal G which may be useful for the foot drumming. The other issue is everyone I’ve met with a Spinal G are big dudes or people with spinal Injuries and they all mention the size of the seat. I’m the opposite of these things.

Any one have any of these? The Spinal G one I’m pretty insanely torn on because without trying it, it seems the drum world either says it literally saves their back or it is placebo and the others work just as good. The Tama seems the safer bet. Let me know!

 

[Tommy D]

I have a Tama Ergo Rider Hydraulix with the cloth top, Roc N Soc nitro with the tractor style top and a Pork Pie Round top on a screw top base. Between them all, I find the Tama to be the most comfortable. The Roc N Soc is second and the Pork Pie is a distant third.

For me it is the hydraulic base that makes the throne comfortable. If the Spinal G has a screw top base I wouldn’t buy it. I have a bad back but my problem is not my tail bone but my hip bones. The Tama has depressions in the seat for your hip bones to press in to. It’s really comfortable because of this. Also, the Tama top is rather small and you are almost forced to sit on the front edge if it giving your legs a lot of freedom of movement. You do that on the Roc N Soc and your wedding tackle gets a bruising. The Pork Pie might as well be a church pew. It’s not comfortable.

 

[TargaLX]

Any one have any of these? The Spinal G one I’m pretty insanely torn on because without trying it, it seems the drum world either says it literally saves their back or it is placebo and the others work just as good. The Tama seems the safer bet. Let me know!

I'm of the "saves my back" camp with the Spinal G. In fact, so much so, that I sold all my thrones and bought three of these, two round and one saddle. I never go to a rehearsal or gig without it.

I hate hydraulics because I've had one and the hydraulic mechanism adjustment failed and left me all the way down the floor. (Furthermore, I learned to dislike how they bob up and down slightly as you play.)

I have never played with an Ergo Rider, so I cannot provide any perspective on that end.

 

[owr]

I’m sure I won’t be alone, but might as well be the first. I’d vote for neither, and recommend this instead:

Welcome to SoundSeat

SoundSeat stools and chairs for drummers, keyboard players, guitarists, sound technicians. Ergonomic features found only in highest quality office seating. Most comfortable music seat ever.

www.soundseat.com

It’s a big saddle though, so if you don’t like that, maybe not for you. But nothing else I’ve tried comes close for my tastes.

 

[ZackPomerleau]

I have a Tama Ergo Rider Hydraulix with the cloth top, Roc N Soc nitro with the tractor style top and a Pork Pie Round top on a screw top base. Between them all, I find the Tama to be the most comfortable. The Roc N Soc is second and the Pork Pie is a distant third.

For me it is the hydraulic base that makes the throne comfortable. If the Spinal G has a screw top base I wouldn’t buy it. I have a bad back but my problem is not my tail bone but my hip bones. The Tama has depressions in the seat for your hip bones to press in to. It’s really comfortable because of this. Also, the Tama top is rather small and you are almost forced to sit on the front edge if it giving your legs a lot of freedom of movement. You do that on the Roc N Soc and your wedding tackle gets a bruising. The Pork Pie might as well be a church pew. It’s not comfortable.

You discussed a lot of issues I had with my previous thrones to a t. I only have tailbone issues if I sit badly. I think my hips probably get more of the issue especially because of some hypermobility I have.

 

[ZackPomerleau]

T

I'm of the "saves my back" camp with the Spinal G. In fact, so much so, that I sold all my thrones and bought three of these, two round and one saddle. I never go to a rehearsal or gig without it.

I hate hydraulics because I've had one and the hydraulic mechanism adjustment failed and left me all the way down the floor. (Furthermore, I learned to dislike how they bob up and down slightly as you play.)

I have never played with an Ergo Rider, so I cannot provide any perspective on that end.

Thanks for the counter. It’s funny, I’ve never had that happen once and I’ve owned one for like ten years with constant use. I guess I don’t notice the up and down movement. I personally also don’t notice the left and right swivel but also utilize it somewhat for movement reaching stuff between songs. To me because of the nature of changing the height between my foot drum and regular set there’s a convenience factor at play.

 

[stevil]

If you want the seat that's best for your back get the Motion Pro. Long story short, the guy who designed the spinal glide make the Motion Pro. It's the same design, but each half of the seat is mounted on sturdy tractor springs. It has just the right amount of give. Hydraulics are too bouncy and can actually limit your posture/put excess pressure on your low back due to the instinct to brace oneself. I love mine. Friends have bought their own after sitting on mine. A bit spendy, but I like the adage that it's best to have a cheap car and an expensive mattress. I love drumming and I'd do it less if it was painful.

Motion Pro Drum Thrones

Motion Pro Drum Thrones

motionprodrumthrones.com

 

[ZackPomerleau]

I

If you want the seat that's best for your back get the Motion Pro. Long story short, the guy who designed the spinal glide make the Motion Pro. It's the same design, but each half of the seat is mounted on sturdy tractor springs. It has just the right amount of give. Hydraulics are too bouncy and can actually limit your posture/put excess pressure on your low back due to the instinct to brace oneself. I love mine. Friends have bought their own after sitting on mine. A bit spendy, but I like the adage that it's best to have a cheap car and an expensive mattress. I love drumming and I'd do it less if it was painful.

Motion Pro Drum Thrones

Motion Pro Drum Thrones

motionprodrumthrones.com

I mean nothing by it, but I don’t get how hydraulics could be harmful but springs aren’t? Do people actually bounce on a hydraulic throne? I’ve never bounced on mine.

I’m not discounting that seat, but it seems wild to me. I’d want to see some research on that before using it.

 

[stevil]

I

I mean nothing by it, but I don’t get how hydraulics could be harmful but springs aren’t? Do people actually bounce on a hydraulic throne? I’ve never bounced on mine.

I’m not discounting that seat, but it seems wild to me. I’d want to see some research on that before using it.

No sweat, I didn’t interpret the question as hostile or snarky. Hydraulic thrones leave you feeling like you’re bouncing just a little bit. The motion seat allows almost indiscernible movement. Hard to articulate, but it’s substantially different. This is obviously anecdotal, but I was in a good deal of pain after a 45-120 minute rehearsal/show before I got the motion throne, after I haven’t felt any discomfort at all.

 

[ZackPomerleau]

No sweat, I didn’t interpret the question as hostile or snarky. Hydraulic thrones leave you feeling like you’re bouncing just a little bit. The motion seat allows almost indiscernible movement. Hard to articulate, but it’s substantially different. This is obviously anecdotal, but I was in a good deal of pain after a 45-120 minute rehearsal/show before I got the motion throne, after I haven’t felt any discomfort at all.

This throne is hilarious to me. I’ve had about 50 percent people who say what you say in how it is a game changer, and then another 50 percent that are either telling me it’s a gimmick or it was no different. I legit think I’m gonna drive an hour just to try one for ten minutes. My local Sam ash sucks and doesn’t put the nice thrones on the floor, they’re all boxed. So it might be an issue if that too. Who knows.

 

[rsq911]

First off here is my website ZackPomerleau.com/epk I play around 25 times a month and half is one man band for context.

Wanted to make a post about drum thrones and inquire since I have a lot of drummer friends. I currently have a roc n soc hydraulic throne that is round and I’m pretty iffy on it lately. During my one man band gigs it’s fine but drumming I just find I’m uncomfortable and I gotta shake my legs out a lot. I keep seeing a lot about the Spinal G throne a split in it but I cannot find one anywhere locally to try. I also admit I’m kinda partial to the hydraulic because I adjust a lot for gigs and have had spindle ones fail, but hydraulic has never failed on me. They make a hydraulic but it has a fourth leg which to me makes no sense for gigging and stability.

I’ve currently tried a tractor style seat which I like better but I find the Roc N Soc variant is pretty dramatic. I tried a Pork Pie and I think it’s actually terrible. It was painful to use in lots of ways. I’m actually really on the fence between just buying a Spinal G with no shock or getting a Tama Ergo Rider which shape wise looks great and has awesome reviews. Not to mention goes a bit higher than my throne and the Spinal G which may be useful for the foot drumming. The other issue is everyone I’ve met with a Spinal G are big dudes or people with spinal Injuries and they all mention the size of the seat. I’m the opposite of these things.

Any one have any of these? The Spinal G one I’m pretty insanely torn on because without trying it, it seems the drum world either says it literally saves their back or it is placebo and the others work just as good. The Tama seems the safer bet. Let me know!

I have both the Spinal G and the Tama. I like them both, I do not have any spinal concerns (at this time), and I like the Spinal better. The G has a memory style foam that conforms to “you”, and as it compresses, solidifies. Tamas is consistently solid. The divider or split for the coccyx, is very noticeable, and having the separate pieces will accommodate different pressures/weight differentiation/leaning/etc…. Both of mine are bicycle seats, which is great for the way I play, plus I cycle a lol.
Spinal G does make a round top version which sounds like would be the choice for you. Hope this helps.

 

[ZackPomerleau]

I have both the Spinal G and the Tama. I like them both, I do not have any spinal concerns (at this time), and I like the Spinal better. The G has a memory style foam that conforms to “you”, and as it compresses, solidifies. Tamas is consistently solid. The divider or split for the coccyx, is very noticeable, and having the separate pieces will accommodate different pressures/weight differentiation/leaning/etc…. Both of mine are bicycle seats, which is great for the way I play, plus I cycle a lol.
Spinal G does make a round top version which sounds like would be the choice for you. Hope this helps.

Appreciate this. I saw the round ones but everywhere I’ve looked they’re special order which means no returns. That’s kinda crazy to me honestly. Not opposed to a bike seat but don’t love the really obvious ones like roc n soc. I might have to just buy both at this point unfortunately.

 

[aarono2690]

I recently went down the throne rabbit hole. Ultimately I was happy with the Roc-n-Soc square throne due to the following reasons:

1) The square shape can be used as a drum throne and as a piano bench.
2) I found the form and shape to fit my body like a glove. I struggled with tractor seats and round seats.
3) The square shape accommodates me when I sit down to play bass and guitar as well. I struggled finding comfort on a tractor style seat while playing guitar as it spread my legs at a weird angle.

These are hard as hell to find (I went into my local RnS dealer and he thought I was making it up at first and claims he's never seen one), but there's a music shop in SC that has them on a consistent basis:

Drum Thrones for Sales - Roc-N-Soc, DW, & More

Shop for ergonomic drum thrones online with Sims Music! We offer round and tractor seat thrones from quality brands like Roc-N-Soc, DW, and Tama.

www.simsmusic.com

I believe if you use code "SAVE10" you can get 10% off at checkout. No tax or shipping fees. If it doesn't work, let me know and I can go find my old invoice that has the code stamped on it for future purchases.

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I have tried the Ahead Spinal G. I did not like it one bit. It pinched my sciatic nerve and made my leg feel full/numb. If you look at the seat the cushion has a severe drop off - there is zero contour. That edge pushed into the back of my leg and caused discomfort after about 20 minutes of playing. I ultimately returned it for a full refund.

I also tried the RnS tractor + Hugger seat. Hugger fit my body more, but I still ultimately did not jive well with tractor seats.

-----

I have never had an issue of discomfort or pain with the RnS square throne.

 

[ZackPomerleau]

I recently went down the throne rabbit hole. Ultimately I was happy with the Roc-n-Soc square throne due to the following reasons:

1) The square shape can be used as a drum throne and as a piano bench.
2) I found the form and shape to fit my body like a glove. I struggled with tractor seats and round seats.
3) The square shape accommodates me when I sit down to play bass and guitar as well. I struggled finding comfort on a tractor style seat while playing guitar as it spread my legs at a weird angle.

These are hard as hell to find (I went into my local RnS dealer and he thought I was making it up at first and claims he's never seen one), but there's a music shop in SC that has them on a consistent basis:

Drum Thrones for Sales - Roc-N-Soc, DW, & More

Shop for ergonomic drum thrones online with Sims Music! We offer round and tractor seat thrones from quality brands like Roc-N-Soc, DW, and Tama.

www.simsmusic.com

I believe if you use code "SAVE10" you can get 10% off at checkout. No tax or shipping fees. If it doesn't work, let me know and I can go find my old invoice that has the code stamped on it for future purchases.

-----

I have tried the Ahead Spinal G. I did not like it one bit. It pinched my sciatic nerve and made my leg feel full/numb. If you look at the seat the cushion has a severe drop off - there is zero contour. That edge pushed into the back of my leg and caused discomfort after about 20 minutes of playing. I ultimately returned it for a full refund.

I also tried the RnS tractor + Hugger seat. Hugger fit my body more, but I still ultimately did not jive well with tractor seats.

I’ve never noticed this on the spinal g (the lack of a leg cutout). But I have this issue with my round throne. My leg falls asleep and I have to shake it off. This is kind of a big reason I want to replace it. It’s wildly uncomfortable. And their tractor style is just too cut out for me. That’s the thing, the Spinal G isn’t as extreme looking and so isn’t the Tama. It’s more just a nice shape to it.

 

[Paradiddle]

I know this isn't on your list, but I just switched from my well used SoundSeat to the DW 9000 airlift. Yes it's heavy, yes it has 4 legs....

BUT - finally a firm enough throne to let me sit properly. Made a lot of difference over my tractor seat. I love it, but I've been working hard to fix a lot of my posture issues (via Dave Elitch). If you are comfortable sitting with poor posture it might not be a throne for you.

 

[repete]

Soundseat - no contest

 

[ZackPomerleau]

I now this isn't on your list, but I just switched from my well used SoundSeat to the DW 9000 airlift. Yes it's heavy, yes it has 4 legs....

BUT - finally a firm enough throne to let me sit properly. Made a lot of difference over my tractor seat. I love it, but I've been working hard to fixing a lot of my posture issues (via Dave Elitch). If you are comfortable sitting with poor posture it might not be a throne for you.

I would argue my posture is pretty good. My roc n soc is heavy so not a problem, but the 4 leg aspect might be the deal breaker.

 

[DrummBumm89]

I would argue my posture is pretty good. My roc n soc is heavy so not a problem, but the 4 leg aspect might be the deal breaker.

Elitch has been saying they have been working on a 3 leg version for a little bit, so it (may) be coming. I agree 4 legs are stupid.

 

[ZackPomerleau]

Elitch has been saying they have been working on a 3 leg version for a little bit, so it (may) be coming. I agree 4 legs are stupid.

Yep, lacks stability. It looks nice though. I’m leaning towards the Tama right now. I’ve had a handful of conversations with various people. Call me a non-believer, but I just struggle to see how the split in the seat does anything. They advertise it for tailbone issues, yet with proper posture you shouldn’t be sitting on your tailbone. And any other issues it may alleviate isn’t mentioned in any literature of theirs (yet that’s what the bike seats were created for). I feel like it seems sorta placebo.

 

[5 Style]

I like having a backrest. I never thought that I would, but I found a Ludwig one for cheap years ago and now I can't imagine something without.