I review products independently and only recommend products I would use myself. If you purchase through a link, I may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
Gibraltar is one of the few companies in the drumming industry that specialize in purely creating hardware. Because of this, you get to choose several top-quality thrones, cymbal stands, and mounting tools from their product lineup.
The long list of thrones is perhaps the most interesting aspect of the brand. If you’re looking for a new drum seat to sit on, a Gibraltar one is sure to be an excellent option.
Gibraltar thrones offer affordability and stability. The brand has a wide range of options that cover all the different types of throne designs and features. You’ll be able to find whichever feature you’re looking for in the brand’s lineup.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the best Gibraltar drum thrones.
What Are The Best Gibraltar Drum Thrones?
| Image | Recommended ProductsProduct | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best pro throne
|
|
||
Best back support
|
|
||
Best budget throne
|
|
||
Best round throne
|
|
||
Best sturdy throne
|
|
How I Tested and Selected the Best Gibraltar Drum Thrones
When it comes to reliable and affordable hardware, Gibraltar has always been one of my favorite brands.
When testing these thrones, I first looked at adjustability as well as build quality. I assessed the height adjustment design, as well as the quality of materials, build craftsmanship, and the sturdiness of the throne.
After that, I assessed each thrones’ comfort and stability. I scrutinized the construction and padding of each throne, evaluating their ability to provide sustained comfort during extended playing sessions.
Portability and ease of setup were also considered, as this is important for drummers when transporting the throne to different gigs or studio sessions. This involved evaluating the weight, collapsibility, and overall ease of handling.
Gibraltar Drum Thrones Reviews
Gibraltar 9608HM Pneumatic Moto-Style Drum Throne
Gibraltar 9608HM Pneumatic Moto-Style Drum Throne Review
The Gibraltar 9608HM uses a pneumatic height adjustment system, which is its standout feature. It’s a feature found in several modern high-quality thrones, and this is one of the most affordable ones you can find.
The impressive pneumatic system and a few other features are what make this Gibraltar drum seat my top overall option.
It has a very supportive oversized motorcycle seat, which will allow drummers of all sizes to comfortably sit on it.
Every time I use this throne, it feels incredibly sturdy with no wobbling to worry about.
This throne has a plush Cordura surface that feels super soft to touch, and you’ll find this material on all of Gibraltar’s top-quality thrones.
The best thing about the pneumatic height system is that you can use the lever to adjust the height while you’re sitting on the throne.
I found that this usually takes out all the guesswork that happens when adjusting your throne height.
However, some drummers have stated that they accidentally hit the lever while playing, causing the height to drop. I’ve found the best way to avoid that is by rotating the throne so that the lever points backward behind it.
Pros
- One of the most affordable thrones available with a pneumatic height adjustment system
- The lever allows you to adjust the height of the drum throne while you’re sitting on it, which is something you can’t do with most other thrones
- Oversized seat caters to drummers with any kind of body type, it’s also comfortable to sit on for hours
Cons
- You could potentially hit the adjustment lever accidentally while playing, so you need to be careful of that so that the seat doesn’t suddenly drop its height
Gibraltar 9808OS-AB Moto-Style Oversized Throne with Backrest
Gibraltar 9808OS-AB Moto-Style Oversized Throne with Backrest Review
The 9808OS-AB is the most luxurious drum throne that Gibraltar sells. It has a thickly padded seat along with a backrest that is intended for lumbar support. Gibraltar’s other popular throne with a backrest is the 9608, but this throne is a lot thicker and wider at the seat.
When using this throne, I love how smoothly the spindle height adjustment works, and it has a locking collar to keep the throne securely in place.
Since the backrest sits quite low, it isn’t detrimental to your posture like a higher backrest would be. Most drummers aren’t fans of backrests, but this one is a bit more appealing than others.
While this throne sits on the higher side of the drum throne price range, it’s more affordable than the top-quality ones from other brands.
I found it extremely comfortable and supportive, and everything about this drum throne feels high-quality.
A huge step up in quality from cheaper drum thrones, the Gibraltar 9808OS-AB offers superior comfort, particularly around the thighs as well.
Pros
- Excellent throne for drummers with lower back pain, as the backrest aids with lumbar support
- Amazing price compared to top-tier drum thrones from competing hardware brands
- The backrest is very ergonomically designed, so it works better for drummers than many others do
- Seriously sturdy base that ensures the throne never moves
Cons
- Not the top option for everyone, as some drummers don’t enjoy using a backrest
- Doesn’t have a pneumatic height adjustment system like the 9608HM, even though it’s more expensive
Gibraltar 6608 Moto-Style Drum Throne
Gibraltar 6608 Moto-Style Drum Throne Review
The Gibraltar 6608 Moto-Style throne is an excellent affordable option. It’s one of the most economical throne options on the market that has a motorcycle-like seat, and that’s one of the most convincing features about it.
It has a padded vinyl seat that is fairly thin compared to many other thrones, but it’s thick enough for me to be comfortable for a decently long gig.
The seat size is standard, meaning most drummers will fit on it comfortably.
The adjustment design is quite simple. You get a direct adjustment using a sliding tube and memory lock to keep it in place. Unfortunately, there’s a slight bit of wobble between the seat and the area where it locks too. You may feel that when you’re playing, making the throne feel less sturdy.
Overall, it’s a great budget drum throne for beginners, whereas more experienced players may want to look for higher-quality Gibraltar thrones.
Pros
- One of the most affordable drum thrones available with a moto-style seat
- Seat is thick enough to remain comfortable after long hours of drumming
- Excellent choice for beginner and intermediate drummers who want something reliable that won’t break the bank
Cons
- The seat can be a bit wobbly at times due to a small gap in the adjustment lock
Gibraltar 9608SFT Round Top Softy Throne
Gibraltar 9608SFT Round Top Softy Throne Review
The Gibraltar 9608SFT has an extra-thick cushion, giving it an incredibly comfortable feeling whilst you play.
With a 5” height, it has the thickest seat compared to all the other Gibraltar drum stools, making it an ideal option for drummers looking for an extended bit of thickness from their throne. It’s also a great option for drummers who prefer round thrones over motorcycle-style ones.
The top of the seat is made with plush Cordura, giving it a luxurious feel. The stitched vinyl edging beneath it further adds to the high-quality aesthetic. Everything about this throne just looks top-quality.
I wasn’t quite used to round-top thrones when I got given this at a gig once, but I ended up loving it due to how comfortable the thick cushion was.
The throne works on a spindle height adjustment system, and you get a memory lock and locking collar to keep the throne sturdily in place. Further sturdiness is added by Gibraltar’s non-slip rubber feet.
One issue you may find with this throne is that at its lowest height, it still sits fairly high. This is due to the extended height of the cushion. It’s not a great option for small children because of this.
Pros
- Thicker cushion makes it incredibly comfortable to sit on for long hours
- Luxurious appearance thanks to the plush cordura surface and stitched vinyl edging
- Great value for the money
Cons
- The height can’t be dropped low enough for small kids to feel comfortable when using the throne
Gibraltar 9908 Moto-Style Oversized 4-Post Throne
Gibraltar 9908 Moto-Style Oversized 4-Post Throne Review
The 9908 4-Post throne is the sturdiest drum stool you can get from Gibraltar. While the majority of drum thrones available have three legs, this one has four. The extra leg adds an incredible amount of stability, as there is no room for any movement at the base of the throne.
The spindle height adjustment design includes a large wing nut to secure it. This larger wing nut feels a lot better to manage than the typical two-piece wingnut design that comes with other spindle thrones.
I’ve also seen plenty of keyboardists use this throne out on the gigging circuit, as the stability just makes it such a reliable option.
This throne is extremely heavy, so you’ll need to keep that in mind if you plan on playing gigs with it. It’s ideal for drum studios as the thickness and stability make it feel like it will last very long.
A final point to add is that the seat looks and feels top-quality.
Pros
- Extra leg makes the drum throne extremely stable when you’re playing drums
- Preferable wingnut design on the spindle height adjustment system
- Very durable, ensuring that it will last more than a decade without degrading in quality
Cons
- A bit heavy to use for frequent gigs
- The fourth leg can get in the way depending on what your drum kit setup looks like
Gibraltar Drum Throne Buyer’s Guide
A good throne is one of your most important investments as a drummer. If you have a wonky throne, you’re not going to be able to play drums as well, and you’ll eventually develop back problems. The difference you’ll feel when switching to a decent throne is amazing.
Gibraltar is an excellent brand to consider as their thrones are sturdy and tend to be a bit more affordable and offer many of the same high-end features as other brands.
Single-Braced vs Double-Braced Thrones
Double-braced thrones are a better option than single-braced thrones in most cases. The only good use for a single-braced throne would be if you needed a light option for traveling.
Some brands make incredibly sturdy single-braced thrones that are good options. However, Gibraltar only makes the 5608and the Airtech Skinny Top. If you don’t like how those thrones look, stick with a good drum throne with double-braced legs.
Moto-Style vs Round Seats
The choice of getting a motorcycle-style seat or a round one comes down to personal preference. Gibraltar makes slightly more moto-style seats than they do round seats, and most of the thrones mentioned above were moto-style thrones.
So, you may find yourself leaning toward those when getting a Gibraltar throne. However, the round seats like the Gibraltar 9608SFT Round Top Softy Throne that Gibraltar sells are incredible options.
How Beneficial Are Backrests?
The best way to sit at the drums is by keeping your back straight and keeping your body near the front edge of your throne. For many drummers, backrests detract from this, allowing you to lean back into them. In that case, they’re more detrimental to your posture than they are beneficial.
However, they can be quite useful when used properly. For drummers with back problems, a throne like Gibraltar 9808OS-AB with a well-positioned backrest will keep them elevated without slouching. You could also use them for this function without back issues. Just make sure to keep yourself from leaning back into the backrest.
Height Adjustment Options
The three types of height adjustment options that you’ll find on a Gibraltar drum chair are tube adjustments, spindle adjustments, and pneumatic adjustments. You can read more about how these work here, but just know that the type of adjustment mechanism a throne has may affect your buying decision.
Different drummers have varying preferences over these. Also, the type of height adjustment that a throne has will give you a rough idea of the price the throne comes at. Tube adjustments come on budget drum thrones like the Gibraltar 6608 Moto-Style Throne.
While pneumatic adjustments are reserved for premium drum thrones like the Gibraltar 9608HM and the Gibraltar 9908 Moto-Style Oversized 4-Post Throne.
