Gibraltar Universal Backrest Review

Practical Buying Guide

Introduction:

When looking for a drum throne, most drummers need to choose between one with a backrest or one without, but did you know that you could get a backrest add-on? 

Gibraltar sells one of these, and it’s called the Gibraltar Universal Backrest. It’s a convenient backrest accessory that you can put on most drum thrones. 

In this review, we’re going to see what it’s all about and explain who it would be good for. 

Key Features: 

The Gibraltar Universal Backrest has a universal clamp that allows you to mount it to the height adjustment pole of a drum throne. 

It has a furniture-stitched black vinyl cover that makes it comfortable to lean back on, and you can raise the backrest up and down to get an optimal position for your body type. 

It has a simple turning knob that allows you to adjust the height. The backrest is also fairly large, making the seat work well for most 

Build Quality
98%
Ease of Use
99%
Price to Value Ratio
92%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Fantastic addition to make drummers feel more comfortable on their thrones
  • Great for back pain
  • Easy to set up
  • Highly durable design
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Doesn’t work on drum thrones with hydraulic or pneumatic height adjustment mechanisms

FEATURED ON

Gibraltar Universal Backrest Review:

What To Expect from This Backrest

 

Quality 

The quality you get from this backrest is comparable to the quality of all other Gibraltar throne hardware. If you’ve used Gibraltar products before, you can expect the same from this backrest. 

The padding on the backrest part is very comfortable, and the vinyl cover feels great when you rest on it. 

You can put this backrest on any high-end drum throne, and the overall feeling of the throne will still be pristine. 

Construction

The design of the backrest is quite simple, but it’s very clever. You mount it onto the height adjustment pole of the drum throne. 

It uses a universal clamp that allows you to attach it to a pole of any size. It’s the same kind of design that you see on cymbal arms that mount to cymbal stands. 

The backrest is made very sturdily, ensuring that you’ll feel secure when sitting at the throne. 

Performance

The biggest reason for using a backrest like this is to take pressure off of your back when playing the drums. This backrest allows you to have a healthy posture, leading you to feel comfortable playing the drums for longer periods. 

However, not everyone likes to use backrests. So, this isn’t an accessory that every drummer would love using. You just need to know if you like playing with a backrest or not before liking or disliking how this product performs. 

Price Value Ratio

This backrest add-on costs around $100, which is a decent price to pay to expand your drum throne. Most drum thrones with built-in backrests cost a bit more, so it’s worth the money, in our opinion.

You just need to make sure that this add-on works with the drum throne you own. If you have a pneumatic or hydraulic drum throne, it’s not going to work, and you’ll be wasting your money by buying it. 

FAQ:

Does the Gibraltar Universal Backrest Work with Every Drum Throne?

The Gibraltar Universal Backrest only works with drum thrones that have spindle or rotating height mechanisms. The drum thrones need to have a thick pole or arm that the clamp can attach to. 

It doesn’t work with pneumatic and hydraulic drum thrones, as their height adjustment designs don’t cater to having something attached to them. 

With some of those thrones, attaching a backrest like this will stop them from being adjustable. 

What are the Benefits of Having a Backrest on a Drum Throne? 

Having a backrest helps take tension off of your lower back while playing drums. This leads to less back pain over time. 

It also helps improve your posture while sitting at the kit, as it trains you to keep your back straight. 

However, some drummers rely on backrests too much, and that can be detrimental. 

Gibraltar Universal Backrest Review
  • Build Quality
  • Ease of Use
  • Price to Value
4.5

Conclusion

We love the Gibraltar Universal Backrest. We think it’s the best option available for drummers that want a backrest but already own a drum throne. 

Again, make sure that it fits your throne before buying it. The best way to find that out is by speaking with a salesman from wherever you buy the backrest. 

Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London  has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.

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