I am considering purchasing a non-tunable Buck bodhran, runs about $150, about all the $ i have for a bodhran. Is there anything better in that price range, or should i just go with that. And no comments about how i should learn a real instrument- play the scottish smallpipes, low whistle, penny whistle, fife, flute, and hope to learn mando pretty soon. bodhran is like my 6th instrument. (right now i have a cheap pakistan one that my sis bought at a "celtic" fair a few years back and gave to me. its not too bad for learning on, but horrible for session and recording.) Thanks, all, and slainte!
Waste of money ,you will definitely need a tuneable drum to counteract the effect of moisture in the air. save another 150 and have a look at a Brendan white(double skin).
thanks guys! i thought about the tuneable, as well as played one, but for some reason, im a huge fan of non-tunable drums. and yea, my friend dave does the hand cream thing w/ his el cheapo (lol) and it sounds pretty good.
Get yourself a Christian Hetwitschak bodhran. Check them out on www.bodhranmaker.de. I have a tuneable ( all his are) double goat. The newer "dragon skin" ones are excellent too. He has a large range of cheaper drums right up to quite expensive ones. Good range of tippers. Am more than happy with my Snakewood tipper.
In my opinion I wouldn't venture into a double skin. Bucks are decent enough drums but I second the advice of working with your current drum with treatment, saving more money, and then buying a good tunable drum (a grave misnomer if you ask me). I know you say you like non-adjustable drums but I would venture to say that you will find havng a good skin tension adjustment mechanism on your bodhrán will be more convenient and therefore offer you much greater satisfaction in the long run.
There are many great bodhrán makers in the world and they are really right at your finger tips via the Internet.
The thing with bodhrans is get what you pay for and after that its down to preference. The Dragon Skin in a lovely drum but i would nt swap my Brendan White for it. It gets better with age . There is a great Bass sound from it.
One question. I'm on Custysmusic.com now. http://www.custysmusic.com/mall/CustysTraditionalMusicShop/products/topsellers-1.stm
There's a Brendan White that costs only 130 euros and says: "A substantial feel to these plain-skinned bodhrans with dowell rod, inner rim hold." What does plain-skinned mean? Does it mean it's not double-skinned? And isn't it tuneable? Would that one be a waste of money? Please help...
Yes not tuneable ,not double skin and as you progress you will have to change it about another 100 euros and you have a drum for life.Check out Brendans site.
I just checked out Christian Hetwitschak's website, he reckons that plywood is no good for frames so he uses three layers of wood glued together.
On the other hand, I use 13 layers of wood glued together-- that's plywood!
Get yourself a Claddagh bodhran, you can find a few on ebay for a reasonable price. If you save another 150 or so you can get a nice double skin tunable, 16in. 5 1/2 inch depth, that will give you a great sound.
First of all a Christian Hetwitschak bodhran is not any where near what its cranked up to be. It has no mid range and lasts only a few months before the bodhran "dies". If you want a good bodhran there are three options Seamus O' Kane, Darius Bartlett and Rob Faulkner. Darius Bodhrans are hard to find simply because he spends so much time making them perfect he cant mass produce like other bodhran makers. If at all possible to get your hands on one i highly recommend you do so. Also Seamus and Rob bodhrans are proven to be top class and have stood the test of time... Forget about the cost of a german bodhran its way to costly for their quality about €200 to much..
Agree or disagree but thats my opinion!!
looking for a good bodhran
looking for a good bodhran
I am considering purchasing a non-tunable Buck bodhran, runs about $150, about all the $ i have for a bodhran. Is there anything better in that price range, or should i just go with that. And no comments about how i should learn a real instrument- play the scottish smallpipes, low whistle, penny whistle, fife, flute, and hope to learn mando pretty soon. bodhran is like my 6th instrument. (right now i have a cheap pakistan one that my sis bought at a "celtic" fair a few years back and gave to me. its not too bad for learning on, but horrible for session and recording.) Thanks, all, and slainte!
# Posted on December 11th 2006 by MichaelCollins
Re: looking for a good bodhran
Try rubbing some lanolin based hand cream on the inside of the el cheapo and save your Buck bucks for a tuneable drum.
# Posted on December 11th 2006 by mcknowall
Re: looking for a good bodhran
If it is a good skin, buy it.
# Posted on December 11th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: looking for a good bodhran
Waste of money ,you will definitely need a tuneable drum to counteract the effect of moisture in the air. save another 150 and have a look at a Brendan white(double skin).
# Posted on December 11th 2006 by Saint
Re: looking for a good bodhran
thanks guys! i thought about the tuneable, as well as played one, but for some reason, im a huge fan of non-tunable drums. and yea, my friend dave does the hand cream thing w/ his el cheapo (lol) and it sounds pretty good.
# Posted on December 12th 2006 by MichaelCollins
Re: looking for a good bodhran
btw what difference in sound does a double skin make? intrigued by the brendan, will go check that out.
# Posted on December 12th 2006 by MichaelCollins
Re: looking for a good bodhran
Get yourself a Christian Hetwitschak bodhran. Check them out on www.bodhranmaker.de. I have a tuneable ( all his are) double goat. The newer "dragon skin" ones are excellent too. He has a large range of cheaper drums right up to quite expensive ones. Good range of tippers. Am more than happy with my Snakewood tipper.
Cheers.
Jeremy
# Posted on December 12th 2006 by Tassiebodhran
Re: looking for a good bodhran
In my opinion I wouldn't venture into a double skin. Bucks are decent enough drums but I second the advice of working with your current drum with treatment, saving more money, and then buying a good tunable drum (a grave misnomer if you ask me). I know you say you like non-adjustable drums but I would venture to say that you will find havng a good skin tension adjustment mechanism on your bodhrán will be more convenient and therefore offer you much greater satisfaction in the long run.
There are many great bodhrán makers in the world and they are really right at your finger tips via the Internet.
Good luck.
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on December 12th 2006 by ejsant
Re: looking for a good bodhran
The thing with bodhrans is get what you pay for and after that its down to preference. The Dragon Skin in a lovely drum but i would nt swap my Brendan White for it. It gets better with age . There is a great Bass sound from it.
# Posted on December 12th 2006 by Saint
Re: looking for a good bodhran
6th instrument? I'd watch that, 6 is not a lucky number there Mr Michael Collins.
# Posted on December 12th 2006 by ...
Re: looking for a good bodhran
One question. I'm on Custysmusic.com now.
http://www.custysmusic.com/mall/CustysTraditionalMusicShop/products/topsellers-1.stm
There's a Brendan White that costs only 130 euros and says: "A substantial feel to these plain-skinned bodhrans with dowell rod, inner rim hold." What does plain-skinned mean? Does it mean it's not double-skinned? And isn't it tuneable? Would that one be a waste of money? Please help...
# Posted on December 12th 2006 by Pere
Re: looking for a good bodhran
Yes not tuneable ,not double skin and as you progress you will have to change it about another 100 euros and you have a drum for life.Check out Brendans site.
# Posted on December 12th 2006 by Saint
Re: looking for a good bodhran
As befits me, I have the best drum in the world, now tunable after 13 years. Made by Eamon Maguire, Belfast, about $200.
# Posted on December 12th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: looking for a good bodhran
thanks so much for the advice, all! ill probably save up some more money, and then decide what to do w/ more funds at my disposal.
# Posted on December 12th 2006 by MichaelCollins
Re: looking for a good bodhran
I just checked out Christian Hetwitschak's website, he reckons that plywood is no good for frames so he uses three layers of wood glued together.
On the other hand, I use 13 layers of wood glued together-- that's plywood!
# Posted on December 13th 2006 by mcknowall
Re: looking for a good bodhran
nice drums tho'
# Posted on December 13th 2006 by mcknowall
Re: looking for a good bodhran
Only Three Drums i've bought out of nine i would say were good drums. Seamus o'kane, Rob Forkner and Brendan White. You can't go wrong with these guys
These German Bodhrans aren't all their cranked up to be. There are other good makers, Darius Bartlett, for example, has some fine drums to his name.
# Posted on December 16th 2006 by Taddles
Re: looking for a good bodhran
Get yourself a Claddagh bodhran, you can find a few on ebay for a reasonable price. If you save another 150 or so you can get a nice double skin tunable, 16in. 5 1/2 inch depth, that will give you a great sound.
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by stumce
Re: looking for a good bodhran
First of all a Christian Hetwitschak bodhran is not any where near what its cranked up to be. It has no mid range and lasts only a few months before the bodhran "dies". If you want a good bodhran there are three options Seamus O' Kane, Darius Bartlett and Rob Faulkner. Darius Bodhrans are hard to find simply because he spends so much time making them perfect he cant mass produce like other bodhran makers. If at all possible to get your hands on one i highly recommend you do so. Also Seamus and Rob bodhrans are proven to be top class and have stood the test of time... Forget about the cost of a german bodhran its way to costly for their quality about €200 to much..
Agree or disagree but thats my opinion!!
# Posted on May 21st 2008 by Mr Bodhran-----!