[equipment] Sitting Pretty

The overarching idea with the current configuration of the drum kit is that I wanted lighter, primarily single-braced hardware, in order to cut down on the overall weight for transport. The downside of that is that a single-braced, small-seated drum throne is just not pleasant when you're playing a 3+ hour bar gig. I had been noticing it more and more recently, so I finally upgraded to a Pearl Roadster throne, the one with the little cutout where your tailbone hits.

(And finding that link now, I think I may have paid too much for it, dammit. Must check Musician's Friend for price guarantees.)

The other consistent problem with bigger thrones -- and the reason I didn't just swap out the Tama First Chair I've got in my rehearsal space -- is that they're a royal pain in the ass to fit into any sort of case. Fortunately, the seat on this one would fit into a case for a 14" tom. Then you can double it up in the case with a snare drum, and the trick is to find a way to neutralize the mounting bracket on the bottom so it sits flat.

My solution was a 3" deep spring-form cake pan in the bottom of the case. Anything deeper and the snare drum wouldn't fit on top. So far so good on that front.

Anyway, last night was the first gig with this particular throne, and wow, what a world of difference. No discomfort at all. Now I just wish I could say that about my playing.