If you have been playing the guitar for a while now, you should know that merely having a stool or an old chair may not be enough to keep you comfortable.
Getting a comfortable chair for playing guitar is a wise investment, it makes playing guitar much more fun. Trust me, your body will thank you.
Contents
Qualities of a great guitar chair
The following are just some of the considerations you need to make when you are out shopping for a guitar chair:
Good padding
This is a key reason why old-fashioned wooden stools are no longer considered great seats for guitarists. A good chair is one that allows you to sit for prolonged periods without making you feel uneasy. Comfort is definitely a crucial aspect as far as quality guitar stools are concerned.
Durable materials
The guitar stool should be made of hard-wearing materials, and at the same time allow you to move around stress-free on the surface. Normally, leather and vinyl are considered to be great options.
Backrests are important (though optional)
Guitar chair models that feature backrests are useful if you don’t plan to play continually. And even though you may not be using the backrest the whole time you’re playing, it does help to have something to lean back on between performances.
Find the appropriate height
When sitting on your guitar stool, your feet need to touch the ground and your thighs should run parallel to the floor. Models that allow you to adjust the seat height tend to be the best for guitarists. You can even go further to find chairs with adjustable footrests.
Balance
Stability is another essential quality that you need to look for in a guitar stool. The chair should be able to remain steady in one position even as you move along to the rhythm of the tunes you are playing.
Portability
Although stability may be the greater consideration, having a guitar chair that you can easily carry around may also be important for you if you travel a lot from one gig to the other. A lightweight, foldable chair can make sense in this instance.
Best guitar stools/chairs
Check out the following stools that will guarantee your comfort as you perform in your studio, at home, and even live on stage.
K & M Performance Stool
The first stool on our list is from the K & M; it has a rock-solid construction that will suit any professional.
The company opted for a fully adjustable high gauge steel chassis, to go with an adjustable footrest. The seat has a good ergonomics and doesn’t take the conventional round shape.
The ergonomically shaped seat will relieve pressure on your back and prevent premature tiredness. The seat does not have a backrest per se, but the shape of the seat still provides good back support.
K & M used their customer favorite memory foam and covered it with leather. This stool does not come cheap, but it is worth every single dime when you consider the premium level of comfort that it offers.
K&M Performance Stool
The choice of the pros
Best stool, but pricey
Ergonomically shaped seat, robost construction, highly adjustable. Great performance at a high price.
Check today’s prices on:
Quik Lok DX749
Quik Lok is a more affordable alternative to K & M but still offers high quality modular chairs.
The DX749 is a nice example of this. This chair comes with a backrest, as well as a footrest and both have a fully adjustable height. The same is true for the chair itself!
The chassis on the seat is made of high-grade steel, which should give you confidence when playing on it. The DX749 is a stable chair, thanks to its overall design. When it comes to comfort, the padding is relatively basic, although the seat does get the job done. This is a solid choice if you don’t want to struggle with fatigue while gigging.
Quick Lok Musician Seat
Adjustable everything at a great price
Our 2nd choice
This guitar stool has everything to make it comfortable to play for prolonged periods. It is the next best thing to the K&M stool at a much better price.
Check today’s prices on:
Fender 30” Custom-Shop Pinstripe Bar Stool
This is a classic stool from Fender that comes with a classic logo at the top.
The company has employed thick steel tubing on the chassis, ensuring that you get a sturdy platform.
This type of stool wasn’t necessarily designed for comfort; rather, the priority was given to the aesthetics. Despite this, the Fender 30” still remains a functional bar stool for playing the guitar, and the price further sweetens the deals.
Fender Custom Shop Bar Stool
Classic styling
It may not boast the ergonomics of our top picks, but its thick padding still makes for a comfortable guitar stool for shorter periods.
Check today’s prices on:
Gator Frameworks GFW-GTR-SEAT
If you are looking to buy on a budget, but hoping to find a stool with advanced features, Gator Frameworks should be among your considerations.
The GFWGTRSEAT is a simple form of a guitar chair that features a backrest and footrest, both of which are fixed.
While you may not be able to adjust it much, this chair still ticks on two fronts. It is comfortable and stable, which shouldn’t be a deal-breaker when you consider the price tag it comes with.
The chair also has an integrated guitar holder, suitable for both acoustic and electric guitars.
Gator Guitar Seat/Stand
Simple and practical
Duel functioning and collapsible for musicians on the go. The integrated stand holds acoustic, electric and bass guitars.
Check today’s prices on:
Gibraltar 6608
When it comes to affordability, this chair takes things to a whole new level.
The Gibraltar 6608 is technically a drum throne, and although unorthodox, it comes with some pretty essential benefits. Firstly, you get the appropriate height adjustment.
And since drum thrones should be able to withstand a drummer drumming full clip, this will definitely hold a relatively motionless guitarist with ease.
Other than that, the seat has a nice feel and comes with ample padding, as well as a decent faux leather for the cover. Not to mention that the price is a complete bargain.
Gibraltar Drum Throne
Lightweight and compact
Top grade foam for maximum comfort, adjusts from 18 to 24 inches high.
Check today’s prices on:
AmazonBasics Bar Stool Professionals
This basic office chair is affordable and comfortable.
It is best suited for instances when you are recording and have to switch between playing the guitar, working on the computer, and the keyboard.
You can adjust the height, and padding is sufficient to make it comfortable during long sessions.
Amazon Basics Bar Stool
Generic, yet comfortable bar stool
Adjustable height with good paddin, makes for a comfortable guitar stool. Wheels are a bit of a neussance at times though.
Check today’s prices on:
Richardson Seating 0-1950BLK24 Backless Swivel Bar Stool
If you are trying to find a low-cost chair that still offers a premium comfort level, this stool might just be the best bet you have for a guitar stool.
It is not capable of folding and is not as portable as we may like, which makes it ideal for use in a single location.
This stool comes in 24-inch and 30-inch options, and each has a thick 1,25-inch vinyl top and a cushioned base so that you can find the most comfortable position to play.
Richardson Seating Swivel Bar Stool
Sturdy swivel stool
The thick padding provides comfort, and the foot rest is at just the right height for a guitar player.
Check today’s prices on:
IKEA Örfjall
Though not meant to be a guitar chair, IKEA has made a very comfortable swivel chair for playing guitar. I have been using it for years.
The backrest adds support during long practice sessions, with the width and height of the backrest being optimal. It does not get in the way. The backrest (and the chair overall) is very sturdy, which is important for me as I weigh 95 kg.
You can set the height of the chair, and in doing so, you can make use of the swivels as a foot-rest. I put my foot on the swivel and presto. Instant foot-stool. For $50, it’s a good deal.
Summary
From the above guide, it is clear that there is a lot to take into account as far as selecting the best guitar chair is concerned.
This can be a daunting task, given the sheer number of options available to you; however, any of the models provided in the above list assures you that you going for a quality and functional product that will address what you are looking for.
Be sure to consider the price, stability, and comfort that the stool offers when you are shopping around for one. A good chair will promote good posture. It’s better to spend some money on a good chair, than to spend it on a chiropractor.
There was a portable guitar chair in the ’80’s. It was a foldable black canvas chair with a built in foot rest. Around $200.00.
I found a picture of the folding guitar chair but I still need the name of the company. The chairs recommended look like a bad design with the guitar stand in the front. It should be in the back away from your feet.