The 8 Best Chairs for Playing Guitar: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide 2023

As a musician, you know that having the right equipment is crucial to keeping your creative juices flowing. And when it comes to playing guitar, having a comfortable chair or stool is an excellent long-term investment in your body’s overall health.

In this blog article, I’ll go through some of the best chairs for playing guitar so you can choose the perfect one for your needs and budget.

I’m coming at this topic as a guitarist who has been playing for 25+ years (countless hours of sitting and playing), as well as hours of research to curate the perfect list to make your decision as easy as possible.

Whether it’s a guitar chair or stool that is lightweight and portable or something more durable and sturdy, I’ve got you covered.

Let’s get started!

The Short Answer

The best chair for playing guitar is the K&M Performance Stool. The construction of this guitar chair is meant to withstand serious, daily players. At the same time, the compact design makes it easy to store and bring to gigs (read the full review here).

However, if you want something more economical, the best guitar-playing chair is the Gator Frameworks GFW-GTR-SEAT (read the full review here).

-Brad Johnson (Founder/Writer of Song Production Pros)

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Best Overall: K&M Performance Stool

Full Review:

The Konig & Meyer (K&M) Performance Stool is a high-quality, adjustable guitar stool built for the most demanding players.

The K&M Performance Stool goes beyond a stool for practicing guitar and can also be used by front-of-the-house engineers, keyboardists, and orchestral players.

The faux leather seat is easily adjusted for height and angle, which makes this incredibly versatile for different-sized players and playing styles. It also folds flat, making it effortless to store, and it takes up little space when traveling.

While it’s a compact guitar stool, it isn’t lightweight. The meticulous construction of the K&M Performance Stool makes it heavy. While this makes a product that will last you longer than other guitar chairs and stools, it is a factor to consider.

Also, this guitar stool isn’t cheap. It’s designed for players playing daily and will need a reliable seat for years to come. If you are a hobbyist, it’s probably best to look at one of the other chairs on this list as they will be a better value for your money.

However, if you are a serious player who wants to “buy once, cry once,” then the K&M Performance Guitar Stool is the only option on this list you need to consider.

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Best Value for Money: Gator GFW-GTR-SEAT

Full Review:

There’s a lot of love about Gator Frameworks guitar seat. First, it’s the most affordable seat on this list, and it’s exceptionally versatile.

Whether you’re primarily playing guitar at your home studio or gigging out regularly, this guitar chair has something for you.

The most notable feature of the Gator Frameworks guitar seat is that it has a built-in guitar stand in the front and at the back of the stool. There are so many use cases for this chair style; it makes this guitar an excellent option for almost every player.

The guitar stand built in the back is handy for those studio musicians who want their guitar close by but not in the way. Like me, you’ve probably propped your guitar up on a wall or sofa and have knocked it over at one point.

The guitar chair itself has a nicely padded seat with a backrest. However, the seat and backrest aren’t adjustable. This is the Achilles Heel of this particular design and won’t make it the best choice for every player, especially if you are shorter.

Because of this lack of adjustability, users have reported that it’s hard to angle your leg correctly. A guitar strap was needed to avoid having your guitar slide off your leg.

Overall, the Gator Frameworks guitar seat is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable, versatile guitar chair that will serve you well at home and on the road.

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Best for the Studio: Roc-N-Soc Tower Saddle

Full Review:

A guitar stool isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re a gigging musician. They don’t collapse, they don’t have a backrest, and they are bulky.

However, a great bar stool-style guitar seat has a charm and sturdiness that you won’t get from other types of chairs.

The Roc-N-Soc Tower Saddle is one of the best chairs for playing guitar for those who want a comfortable guitar stool that looks great and is exceptionally well made.

The seat takes its cues from the all-mighty drum throne. It brings the same comfortability in the seat cushion for players playing from a seated position for long periods.

It also has a 360-degree swivel, and who doesn’t love spinning around in circles with ease?

However, the challenge with this design is that the rings you rest your feet on aren’t adjustable. This can make it uncomfortable for some players and is a reason to go with a more ergonomic design like the Gator.

So, the Roc-N-Soc Tower Saddle is worth checking out if you’re in the market for the best stool for your home studio and don’t want to sacrifice comfort or style. It may not be for everyone, but it’s perfect for the home musicians who need a reliable seat that will last through long practice and recording sessions.

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Best for Posture: Gibraltar 9608MB

Full Review:

If you’ve been playing music for a while, you might think, “Gibraltar? I thought they made drum thrones?”

Well, your reaction would be accurate. The Gibraltar 9608MB is a premium drum throne that is great for posture and incredibly well-made.

However, just because it’s marketed towards drummers doesn’t mean you can’t use it as a guitar player.

The Gibraltar 9608MB comes with lumbar support in the padded backrest. Playing for long periods is extremely comfortable on this stool. The vinyl covering is also high-quality and will last for decades.

Another great benefit is you can adjust the seat height from 20″ to 28″, making it a great guitar performance stool for all player types.

However, because this is a drum stool at its core, there isn’t the built-in guitar features the other best guitar stools on this list offer. Things such as a footrest and a guitar stand.

So, suppose you’re in the market for a comfortable and long-lasting stool to make playing guitar more enjoyable. In that case, the Gibraltar 9608MB is a great option. Drummers have been singing its praises for years, and now it’s time for guitar players to jump on board with this great product!

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Best for Versatility: Vivo USA ADJUSTRITE

Full Review:

At first glance, the Vivo USA ADJUSTRITE looks like an ordinary chair. However, when you start to look at how this chair is built, you will see the genius in its design.

Each of the four legs is adjustable in height in 1-inch increments. This allows you to angle your seat or help your guitar chair sit flat on uneven surfaces.

Also, the adjustable seat height makes this chair incredibly versatile for different-sized players. It can be an excellent option for multi-instrumentalists who play guitar, cello, or keyboards.

The Vivo USA ADJUSTRITE folds flat, making it a portable chair that will be great for traveling musicians. It also provides terrific support from the rigid, padded, traditional back.

It’s important to note that this chair has two versions, a regular and tall. The regular sits at a height between 15” and 20”, while the tall sits at 21” to 26”.

This is the best guitar stool for versatility; however, it is a bit heavy at 18 pounds and bulky (compared to others on this list), even as a folding chair.

If you’re in the market for one of the best chairs for playing guitar regarding versatility, I recommend trying the ADJUSTRITRE. This chair is built with musicians in mind and provides adjustability that is hard to find elsewhere. 

With its intelligent design and versatility, this chair will become a favorite among musicians everywhere.

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Best for Man Cave: Fender Barstool

Full Review

Fender is the largest manufacturer of guitars in the world. Having a branded Fender Barstool in your practice space or mancave makes a statement.

While it isn’t the right guitar stool on this list for practicality, it has the most vibe and class.

It is very well made, and the cushioned top, with an embossed Fender logo, is exceptionally comfortable to sit on for hours. The legs are made with premium, heavy-gauge steel. Also, the footrest sticks out just enough to ensure that your electric or acoustic guitar rests comfortably on your leg.

The Fender Barstool comes in two different size options. There is the 30-inch for taller players and the 24-inch for shorter players.

The downside of this guitar stool is that it isn’t portable. Also, the decorative, retro design might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

This is the perfect option if you’re looking for a barstool that makes a statement. It’s well made, comfortable, and oozes that classic Fender vibe.

Plus, it comes in two different sizes to fit nearly any space. So, if you want to add rockstar flair to your home practice space or mancave, go with the Fender Barstool!

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Best for Gigging: Stagg Gist-300

Full Review:

If you’re searching for the best guitar chairs with which you can easily travel and play gigs, then the Stagg GIST-300 is an excellent option.

This collapsible guitar stool folds flat, takes up minimal cargo space, and is very lightweight. Also, the guitar stand is a nice feature for storing your acoustic guitar or electric guitars while on stage.

The price point for this guitar stand is also very affordable, but you do get what you pay for.

While this guitar chair is well built, it won’t last you a lifetime. If you are a heavy user of this product, expect it to break down over time.

Also, this guitar stool doesn’t come with a backrest, so while it is the most affordable, it still doesn’t make the best budget pick based on the lack of features like the Gator Frameworks GFWGTRSEAT.

So, if you are looking for one of the best chairs for playing guitar that’s foldable, easy to travel with, and won’t break the bank, the Stagg GIST-300 is an excellent option.

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Best Budget Bar Stool: Torin TRP6185

Full Review:

Perhaps you want to purchase a swivel bar stool for guitar playing but don’t need all the bells and whistles. In that case, the Torin TRP6185 is a no-frills guitar stool that fits the bill.

The Torin uses high-quality steel for a durable bar-style stool that will last a long time.

This guitar barstool features a 14.5” thick foam padding which makes this a comfortable seat for guitar playing and lounging around drinking some cold ones with buddies.

A full 360 swivel feature is fun; however, it can become problematic if you’re trying to record music with this chair. The swaying back-and-forth will make capturing a clean and pure sound difficult.

Also, the Torin TRP6185 is technically a barstool and doesn’t have all the fancy features of the other guitar stools on this list.

If you’re in the market for a quality guitar stool that will last, the Torin TRP6185 is one of the best guitar stools Amazon sells. The Torin is perfect for anyone looking for a comfortable and sturdy guitar stool with its simple design.

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Buyer’s Guide

A quick look at the top considerations for choosing the best guitar seat for playing guitar or looking for gifts for guitar lover.

Difference between regular stools and guitar stools

The difference between regular and guitar stools comes down to player-specific design elements.

While you could often use any ordinary stool to play your guitar, this stool will be missing key features. Features include having the right seat height, a properly padded seat, or a proper footrest that keeps your guitar from sliding off your leg.

Also, most guitar chairs offer additional features like a guitar holder or adjustable backrest to provide more support than an ordinary stool.

The Types of Guitar Stools

When shopping for the best guitar chair, you have different stylistic options.

Like the Rock N’ Soc Tower Saddle, you have the classic guitar stool, which gives you a nice swivel seat and no obstructions to your arms or legs.

Suppose you are looking for something with more back support and instrument-specific features. In that case, the best guitar stool for you will be Vivo.

Armrests and Footrests

Suppose you are looking for alternative options for the best guitar chairs that isn’t on this list. In that case, the first thing you should look for in a guitarist chair is one without armrests.

If you use an ordinary office chair for guitar practice, the armrests will get in the way of your guitar’s body and force you to sit further up on your chair, which can hurt your back.

Also, try and look for a comfortable chair with a well-padded seat. Nothing is worse than that feeling of the bones in your butt protruding into an uncomfortable seat after long playing periods.

Guitar stools and chairs with a well-placed footrest, or an adjustable footrest, are also crucial for proper posture while practicing guitar.

Comfortability

While guitar stools are the classic type of seat that guitarists may gravitate toward, investing in a chair with an adjustable back with lumbar support might be a better option. The additional support will ensure you don’t develop bad posture and chronic pain over time.

Adjustable Height

Finding a stool that can adjust the guitar seat height should be a critical deciding factor for purchasing one.

It goes without saying that the “sweet spot” for each musician will be different. So choosing a chair with versatility in its height and positioning will ensure that the chair you select will provide you with years of comfort.

Additional Features

Some guitar stools offer nifty features like guitar stands and the ability to collapse fully.

These additional key features can help you save space, make it easy to travel with and help protect your musical instruments.

Budget vs. Premium

Budget guitar chairs are a great option if you’re starting out and don’t have much money. They’re affordable, and they’ll get the job done.

However, suppose you’re a professional musician and need a guitar seat to provide you with the best possible performance and stand up to rigorous use. In that case, you should consider investing in a premium guitar chair or stool.

The Benefits of Using A Guitar Chair

When it comes to playing the guitar, comfort is critical. And that’s where guitar chairs comes in handy.

A good guitar chair can help you play the guitar in a more relaxed and comfortable position, improving your playing. Additionally, guitar chairs with a backrest can help protect your back and neck from injuries.

FAQ

The Bottom Line

There are many different types of guitar chairs and stools on the market, each with its benefits and drawbacks. So, how do you know which one is right for you?

Ultimately, the best guitar chair for guitar playing will come down to personal preference and what’s most important to you in a guitar chair and stool.

However, I think the best is the K&M Performance Stool. This guitar chair will provide you with comfort for years to come!

Check it out today!

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