Hi everyone,
What´s your general opinion about these? Absolutely crappy or just fine? I´m going to buy a bodhrán soon and...
I don´t have any experience of any other drums than Walton´s so there´s nothing I could compare them to. (Here in Finland there aren´t too many bodhrán shops...)Anyway, I have been quite happy with the Waltons and would just like to know if there´s something better (and about the same price?) that I haven´t heard about.
My first bodhran was a Walton's. I can't say it was great, but it was good enough for a beginner. Needless to say I bought the cheapest on stock.
There's a general belief that walton's bodhrans are made for tourists. I don't know if that's still true. They're probably making different models and qualities. Perhaps even tuneable ones. Check the hobgoblin site http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/home.htm for the available models.
Just keep yourself out of bodhrans with celtic designs!!
I've never played a Walton's, so I have no opinion about that. Just wanted to say that the climate in Finland ought to be similar to the climate in Sweden, and I would strongly recommend you to buy a tunable bodhran. The air humidity changes a lot more over the seasons here than it does in Ireland. In the winter we've got a lot drier climate that makes the Irish non-tunable bodhran sound like a paper drum or a tambourine. In the late summer we've got humidity enough to make it sound like it is supposed to. But for the other 10 months of the year you'll be spraying water on the skin every 5th minute.
I just ordered some lovely walton bodhrans for wall decorations in our basement Pub. Not sure how they will sound if anyone takes them off the wall and attempts to play one....I'll keep you posted if this does happen : )
I don't know jack about bodhrans, but just about anything will get you started. Be prepared to get a better bodhran in a few weeks/months/years. Malichi Kearns (sp) is supposed to be one of the good makers, I also know that Mance Grady makes fine bodhrans. I helped a guy named Pierre Goselin in NYC make a few & gained a new respect for that instrument. He used to go to the meat-markets & buy the skins, lime them, take the hair off, tan them, soak the wood, bend the frames etc. He doesn't make bodhrans anymore. He's a great guy & I lost contact with him. If anyone on-list has anyway of contacting him - let me know how - off list please..
There I go again - plugging my friends, I'll just sign off now
If you are in Finland you really should contact Juha Saarikoski (great bodhran maker from Kannus). His bodhrans are not very cheap, but they are just as good as handmade irish ones.
Albert Makes some incredible drums. You will see some of your favorite touring groups playing on one of these beasts. I spoke with Albert last night and I found that he has targeted the deep end. Dirty Linen said that if you love Irish Traditional Music - Don't listen to his new band.
When I spoke with him last night his eyes were intense as he was describing his complete hand made drum set. Imagine having a drum set that is basically a collection of different sized and shaped bodrans. He has two drums left to build for the set. I would pay just to see the completed set.
By the way Albert is a great player. When the big groups come to town - he is invariably invited up on stage with them.
I've played the bodhrán for around 6-7 years now. I still consider myself "an improver" (as compared to a beginner or and expert). But I do know that Malachy Kearns bodhrans are numerous but worthless. The drummers I know avoid his product like the plague; teachers advise against buying one.
And, true, the decorated ones with the cool paintings on them are just for decoration.
What Lars advises is true. (Hi, Lars!) Humidity will cause the head (skin) of the bodhrán to tighten and loosen a lot. You'll either be carrying a wet rag and a hair dryer around with you to adjust the head or you buy a tuneable and adjust it with a hexkey (easier). I play in Chicago and I've messed with both. I started out with a very cheap one and over a period of 4 years ended up with 3 more, each one better (and more expensive).
Walton is okay if you get their high end (expensive) bodhrán. I'd stay away from their middle or low end product. But, it's true: you will probably find yourself experimenting with different bodhráns over the next two or three years and finding ones that are better than the first one you buy because your knowledge and skill will grow and need a better instrument. And, 14 inch or 16 inch bodhráns are the preferred size now, instead of the traditional 18 inch. Being better made these days, you don't need the cumbersome 18 inch anymore to get the range of tones you will want.
Mark is right on! Albert Alfonso (a Cuban in Texas, USA) makes a bodhrán with an awesome sound, really distinctive and tuneable. And he recommends either a 14" or 16" to get all the sound you need. That bodhrán should last you a lifetime. Check the website that Mark gave you.
There is also one made in Ireland by a guy whose name I can't think of right now (frustrating me). You can't get it at a store, that's why I'm mad at myself that I can't think of it. It is a deep sounding drum, very nice, 16", but the frame is very deep, too. Instead of 4 inches deep like many bodhráns, it's about 6 inches deep. I liked the sound a lot, but I didn't get one because the deep frame was way too uncomfortable for my small arm. It seemed to fit guys much better. Anyone out there reading know which one I mean?
Brandon White (in Denmark) makes a very nice looking and sounding bodhrán, too, but it doesn't have the range of tone that Albert Alfonso's does. It has a flatter sound, if you compared the two. But, Albert's are more expensive. When I found his bodhráns (and my drum instructor recommended his drums,too) I put off buying a much needed car for awhile so I'd have the money to buy his bodhráns instead of using the money up in a car payment. (Okay, okay, you guys, so I'm another poor ITM junkie!)
There are bodhráns as high as $800. American but they're not worth that outragiously super high price. (Besides, I don't know ANYONE who can afford it, anyway.)
If you are just starting and don't want to invest a lot of money, a Walton's bodhran is fine. I have also seen folks start out on a cardboard box and progress upwards. Just like with all other instrumets, get as nice a drum as you can afford and do your best to get a tunable model.Keep and eye on E-bay but keep away from the drums from the middle-east. I have been playing for 10 or so years and have an Alfonso which is just the best for sessions and recording and a Brendan White which I use for outdoor gigs. It's just too boomy for session play. The Cooperman tunable is a fine bodhran for starting out. That's my two cents, Dave
Linda, I think you may mean Seamus O'kean (Hope I spelled that correctly) , his rim is almost a full 6" deep 16"dia, tunable (essential) with a beautiful deep tone. I was given a Walton,s as a gift, and it got me started, but it's head would loosen up just from an increase of bodies in the pub. You can see one of Seamus,s bodrhans inside the cover of Dervish's CD "at the end of the day". I paid 130 GBP about 5yrs ago .He has my vote.
Paul
I have tried a Waltons', and wasn't impressed...I have a Malachy Kearns' which was my first bodhran, and bought by my girlfriend for my Christmas present....at $125 approx. I could honestly suggest a lower-priced Walton over his! It had a VERY thick skin, and a scratchy hide, and I've been more than once on my knees sanding the hell out of it! I would honestly recommend buying- for a cheapie- one of the Pakistani models on e-bay. They run about $60-70 and are good for starters. If you choose to save your money, I would drop $250-300 into a really good model from a well known maker, and start off on the right foot. Good $ after bad, as the saying goes...
First...Waltons does not make any bodhrans in Ireland and they are very clever in how they disguise that...to the point of consumer fraud.
They put no "Made In" stickers or notice anywhere on the bodhrans or borhan materials.
They DO PUT Waltons of Dublin, Ireland on the material that accompanies the bodhrans...but they openly admit they closed their factory years ago and do not make them in Ireland...if you nail one of their officers on the issue.
Since Fall of 2007 I noticed a significant drop-off in quality.
So, in my opinion, Waltons is not only trying to make large profits on its Irish heritage by quietly outsourcing, they are also further cutting costs ... and quality.
I would not pay any of my money for a Waltons bodrhan.
linda,i'm sure you mean Seamus O'Kane.he makes the finest of bodhrans,and has just now on the market a single lug tuning system.i had the pleasure of meeting him last week and playing the "single lug" bodhran.........fantastic !!!
Walton´s bodhráns
Walton´s bodhráns
Hi everyone,
What´s your general opinion about these? Absolutely crappy or just fine? I´m going to buy a bodhrán soon and...
I don´t have any experience of any other drums than Walton´s so there´s nothing I could compare them to. (Here in Finland there aren´t too many bodhrán shops...)Anyway, I have been quite happy with the Waltons and would just like to know if there´s something better (and about the same price?) that I haven´t heard about.
# Posted on October 23rd 2002 by Aingeala
Re: Walton´s bodhráns
My first bodhran was a Walton's. I can't say it was great, but it was good enough for a beginner. Needless to say I bought the cheapest on stock.
There's a general belief that walton's bodhrans are made for tourists. I don't know if that's still true. They're probably making different models and qualities. Perhaps even tuneable ones. Check the hobgoblin site http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/home.htm for the available models.
Just keep yourself out of bodhrans with celtic designs!!
# Posted on October 23rd 2002 by Toni Ribas
Re: Walton´s bodhráns
Great bodhrans by Aidan MacRory-- http://www.crehans.com/bodhrans.htm
# Posted on October 23rd 2002 by SPeak
Re: Walton´s bodhráns
I've never played a Walton's, so I have no opinion about that. Just wanted to say that the climate in Finland ought to be similar to the climate in Sweden, and I would strongly recommend you to buy a tunable bodhran. The air humidity changes a lot more over the seasons here than it does in Ireland. In the winter we've got a lot drier climate that makes the Irish non-tunable bodhran sound like a paper drum or a tambourine. In the late summer we've got humidity enough to make it sound like it is supposed to. But for the other 10 months of the year you'll be spraying water on the skin every 5th minute.
# Posted on October 23rd 2002 by lars
Re: Walton´s bodhráns
I just ordered some lovely walton bodhrans for wall decorations in our basement Pub. Not sure how they will sound if anyone takes them off the wall and attempts to play one....I'll keep you posted if this does happen : )
Joyce
# Posted on October 23rd 2002 by JMH
Re: Walton´s bodhráns
I don't know jack about bodhrans, but just about anything will get you started. Be prepared to get a better bodhran in a few weeks/months/years. Malichi Kearns (sp) is supposed to be one of the good makers, I also know that Mance Grady makes fine bodhrans. I helped a guy named Pierre Goselin in NYC make a few & gained a new respect for that instrument. He used to go to the meat-markets & buy the skins, lime them, take the hair off, tan them, soak the wood, bend the frames etc. He doesn't make bodhrans anymore. He's a great guy & I lost contact with him. If anyone on-list has anyway of contacting him - let me know how - off list please..
There I go again - plugging my friends, I'll just sign off now
# Posted on October 23rd 2002 by Mad Baloney
Re: Walton´s bodhráns
If you are in Finland you really should contact Juha Saarikoski (great bodhran maker from Kannus). His bodhrans are not very cheap, but they are just as good as handmade irish ones.
# Posted on October 23rd 2002 by Jani
Re: Walton´s bodhráns
I'll go ahead and add this link to the link page. http://www.celticmusic.com/alfonso_bodhrans/drums.html
Albert Makes some incredible drums. You will see some of your favorite touring groups playing on one of these beasts. I spoke with Albert last night and I found that he has targeted the deep end. Dirty Linen said that if you love Irish Traditional Music - Don't listen to his new band.
When I spoke with him last night his eyes were intense as he was describing his complete hand made drum set. Imagine having a drum set that is basically a collection of different sized and shaped bodrans. He has two drums left to build for the set. I would pay just to see the completed set.
By the way Albert is a great player. When the big groups come to town - he is invariably invited up on stage with them.
Mark
# Posted on October 24th 2002 by Mark Cordova
Re: Walton´s bodhráns
Welcome to our world of drumming, Aingeala!
I've played the bodhrán for around 6-7 years now. I still consider myself "an improver" (as compared to a beginner or and expert). But I do know that Malachy Kearns bodhrans are numerous but worthless. The drummers I know avoid his product like the plague; teachers advise against buying one.
And, true, the decorated ones with the cool paintings on them are just for decoration.
What Lars advises is true. (Hi, Lars!) Humidity will cause the head (skin) of the bodhrán to tighten and loosen a lot. You'll either be carrying a wet rag and a hair dryer around with you to adjust the head or you buy a tuneable and adjust it with a hexkey (easier). I play in Chicago and I've messed with both. I started out with a very cheap one and over a period of 4 years ended up with 3 more, each one better (and more expensive).
Walton is okay if you get their high end (expensive) bodhrán. I'd stay away from their middle or low end product. But, it's true: you will probably find yourself experimenting with different bodhráns over the next two or three years and finding ones that are better than the first one you buy because your knowledge and skill will grow and need a better instrument. And, 14 inch or 16 inch bodhráns are the preferred size now, instead of the traditional 18 inch. Being better made these days, you don't need the cumbersome 18 inch anymore to get the range of tones you will want.
Mark is right on! Albert Alfonso (a Cuban in Texas, USA) makes a bodhrán with an awesome sound, really distinctive and tuneable. And he recommends either a 14" or 16" to get all the sound you need. That bodhrán should last you a lifetime. Check the website that Mark gave you.
There is also one made in Ireland by a guy whose name I can't think of right now (frustrating me). You can't get it at a store, that's why I'm mad at myself that I can't think of it. It is a deep sounding drum, very nice, 16", but the frame is very deep, too. Instead of 4 inches deep like many bodhráns, it's about 6 inches deep. I liked the sound a lot, but I didn't get one because the deep frame was way too uncomfortable for my small arm. It seemed to fit guys much better. Anyone out there reading know which one I mean?
Brandon White (in Denmark) makes a very nice looking and sounding bodhrán, too, but it doesn't have the range of tone that Albert Alfonso's does. It has a flatter sound, if you compared the two. But, Albert's are more expensive. When I found his bodhráns (and my drum instructor recommended his drums,too) I put off buying a much needed car for awhile so I'd have the money to buy his bodhráns instead of using the money up in a car payment. (Okay, okay, you guys, so I'm another poor ITM junkie!)
There are bodhráns as high as $800. American but they're not worth that outragiously super high price. (Besides, I don't know ANYONE who can afford it, anyway.)
Happy shopping!
Linda
# Posted on October 26th 2002 by linda
Re: Walton´s bodhráns
If you are just starting and don't want to invest a lot of money, a Walton's bodhran is fine. I have also seen folks start out on a cardboard box and progress upwards. Just like with all other instrumets, get as nice a drum as you can afford and do your best to get a tunable model.Keep and eye on E-bay but keep away from the drums from the middle-east. I have been playing for 10 or so years and have an Alfonso which is just the best for sessions and recording and a Brendan White which I use for outdoor gigs. It's just too boomy for session play. The Cooperman tunable is a fine bodhran for starting out. That's my two cents, Dave
# Posted on October 29th 2002 by McBodhran
Re: Walton´s bodhráns
Linda, I think you may mean Seamus O'kean (Hope I spelled that correctly) , his rim is almost a full 6" deep 16"dia, tunable (essential) with a beautiful deep tone. I was given a Walton,s as a gift, and it got me started, but it's head would loosen up just from an increase of bodies in the pub. You can see one of Seamus,s bodrhans inside the cover of Dervish's CD "at the end of the day". I paid 130 GBP about 5yrs ago .He has my vote.
Paul
# Posted on October 30th 2002 by pajic
Re: Walton?s bodhran
Hi!
I have tried a Waltons', and wasn't impressed...I have a Malachy Kearns' which was my first bodhran, and bought by my girlfriend for my Christmas present....at $125 approx. I could honestly suggest a lower-priced Walton over his! It had a VERY thick skin, and a scratchy hide, and I've been more than once on my knees sanding the hell out of it! I would honestly recommend buying- for a cheapie- one of the Pakistani models on e-bay. They run about $60-70 and are good for starters. If you choose to save your money, I would drop $250-300 into a really good model from a well known maker, and start off on the right foot. Good $ after bad, as the saying goes...
Jamie
# Posted on April 5th 2006 by lowellirish
Re: Walton´s bodhr᮳
Walton's are cheap tat. Don't buy them - they sound crap and won't encourage you to continue your bodhrán playing endeavours. Buy a proper drum, e.g. Séamus ó'Kane if you want to sound any way decent; let's face it £100 - £300 is not a great deal to pay for a quality instrument.
# Posted on April 5th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Walton�s bodhr�ns
First...Waltons does not make any bodhrans in Ireland and they are very clever in how they disguise that...to the point of consumer fraud.
They put no "Made In" stickers or notice anywhere on the bodhrans or borhan materials.
They DO PUT Waltons of Dublin, Ireland on the material that accompanies the bodhrans...but they openly admit they closed their factory years ago and do not make them in Ireland...if you nail one of their officers on the issue.
Since Fall of 2007 I noticed a significant drop-off in quality.
So, in my opinion, Waltons is not only trying to make large profits on its Irish heritage by quietly outsourcing, they are also further cutting costs ... and quality.
I would not pay any of my money for a Waltons bodrhan.
Marcco
# Posted on May 13th 2008 by MarcoLami
Re: Walton�s bodhr�ns
linda,i'm sure you mean Seamus O'Kane.he makes the finest of bodhrans,and has just now on the market a single lug tuning system.i had the pleasure of meeting him last week and playing the "single lug" bodhran.........fantastic !!!
# Posted on August 20th 2008 by swickins