Since Mr. i-5 broached the subject of backless chairs, here's another option:

IKEA TRAKTOR

I promise I'm not an IKEA affiliate or fanboy (altough they do have a great deal on breakfast at their cafeteria...)

I only mention it because it's kind of a cross between the SNILLE and the drum throne. The anatomically-molded seat could be a help or a hindrance, depending on your particular state of being. But this is basically a throne with wheels. I find the wheels to be a big help when I'm at any workstation, be it a computer desk or a lab bench. I think the reason is that the wheels encourage you to move and change position continuously & slightly, which helps to avoid repetitive strain (something I have suffered from but now am better, thank God).

Maybe it would be perfect if s=you could get the TRAKTOR with an anatomically padded seat, or a nice drum throne with wheels!

I should also mention that I was running errands over lunch and I ran across this chair:

http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=21101941&displayBreadCrumb=null&_requestid=3253252

It was the first mesh-backed chair that either didn't feel cheap, make noise, or cost an arm and a leg.

Hi Dean-

Although I don't feel like an expert on many of the things that pass through the forums, I've go t to tell you that as a guy who suffers from three degenerative discs and two bulgers, I know chairs.

The Herman Millers are awesome, but if you don't want to spend 8-bills, I understand completely. Stay away from the office stores, and consult the back-pain stores. I'm not sure where you live, but most metro-areas have back pain stores. Here in Colorado, we have Better Back Stores. A good place to start is Spine Universe (spineuniverse.com). They have links to different retailers. The retailer here has at least 30 different models of chairs from $200 - $2000.

Personally, I have a great wheeled office chair that was $399 (worth every penny), and one of those kneeling chairs that is also on wheels. The kneeling chair is awesome fro recording guitar and mixing and tweaking all at the same time. It also promotes playing with the guitar on a strap as when standing. My back is so thankful for this. I used to always sit in traditional chairs and play sitting down hunched over. This was bad for my back, and not the best for mastering the instrument for live use.

So, again, I suggest going to one of the back stores. They should have a superior high-grade inventory to try. Also, ours allows you to take a chair and try it for a few weeks, allowing for returns when a chair is not sufficient.

Good luck, and remember that sitting in your chair will have long-term influence on your body in ways that you won't realize when you're tracking or mixing your next hit.

Good luck with your purchase.

The voice of reason and experience... you can tell when it speaks. OK, I now have a new set of search terms:

Back Chair
Ergonomic Chair
Spine Chair
etc.

Sheesh. Sometimes it just takes knowing where to look. Thanks, tfb.

BTW, nice setup you got there. I have the Q6600/DP35DP/4GB combo too, but alas, it's the number-cruncher for the office. I think that it would be just peachy for a DAW, though!

Just wanted to pass along this great chair and bargain I found (I never made to IKEA, yet, loseguy).

http://tgiblackfriday.com/Staples/Staples-Quickset-QS10-Luxura-Managers-Chair-deal

It normally sells for $150. But I found this expired coupon on line (from Thanksgiving!). I printed it out and they honored it! So I got it for $60. And the chair is really comfy too.
It's got memory foam . Not too adjustable tough. But awesome for $60.

ORIGINAL: Modulation
Just wanted to pass along this great chair and bargain I found (I never made to IKEA, yet, loseguy).

Glad you found a chair you liked. Memory foam is a big upgrade from the cheap stuff they usually put in those things.

I'm still looking. I was actually borrowing the IKEA chair from my kid, and I just commented on it because of how surprised I was with it. I still like the sculptured shape, but the plastic does get a little uncomfortable after a while (a surprisingly long while, but nonetheless).

Keeping a lookout for a comfy drum throne with wheels, or maybe a deal on one of those back chairs.

ORIGINAL: losguy
I should also mention that I was running errands over lunch and I ran across this chair:

http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=21101941&displayBreadCrumb=null&_requestid=3253252

It was the first mesh-backed chair that either didn't feel cheap, make noise, or cost an arm and a leg.

I have this chair, and have shortish legs. It's comfortable for me for VERY long periods of time (I've done 36 hours in it over a 48 hour period), and has acceptable Lumbar and Neck support adjustments.

Corey

Thanks for the hands-on recommendation, Corey. I felt the same way about it, at least for the two minutes that I tried it out in the store. It's very nice to have a field report!

ORIGINAL: marcos69

I have to use 2 chairs. One without arms so I can be comfortable sitting recording guitars. The other with arms so I can rest my arms while mixing. Keep that in mind.

I ended up getting something for around $100 from Office Depot and then left the right arm rest *off*. Sure, it *looks* a little goofy, but it gives you something to lean on *and* gives the guitar somewhere to go when you're playing it.

great topic Dean

I have had such back issues, sometimes I'll just stand, or kneel on one of those padded large back rests

the cloth/mesh tall office chairs from Office Depot/Max are excellent too, but perhaps don't last as long

-JD

but for guitar chairs THIS IS KING

http://www.windystrings.com/images/GliderLarge.gif