so then, i've been playing for about a year and i feel it's high-time i moved off this beginner drum. i was going to go with a mike quinlan, as i know people who know him and that lots of professionals use his drums, but it seems that they've gone up about a hundred or so dollars (now $350 american), which is a little much for me. now, brendan white's are a bit cheaper, and i've heard good things, but of course i wouldnt be able to go and try one out or anything, so i'm asking if anyone has personal experience with one of his bodhrans. i was thinking perhaps the tuneable single skin 42 cm diameter drum. any comments? or suggestions on other good makers for perhaps under $300 american? thanks very much.
I Play a Brendan White Tuneable Double Skin and I am very happy with it. It sounds brillant. The sound is obiously a matter of taste. I know that some players prefer Single Skin.
I only live 120 Kilometersaway from Eindhoven, so it was easy for me to go there and check his instruments out. They are all very good, but it was very helpful to check out five of this model to pick my favourite. You cannot make a mistake if you buy from.
You're in trouble with Eoin now, Michael! *smirk* Better watch your back!
A friend plays a beautiful double Brendan White, and loves it to death. The contact I've had with Brendan has been very pleasant and he seems very nice, as well. On the other hand, I've heard some folks who have said that they're not happy with the quality of his latest drums, feeling that he's putting out too many drums too fast.
Do a search in the archives, this has come up a few times, thought not recently (unless it's been in the last three months while I was gone), so there is some info in the past threads.
Bard,
I play A Brendan White drum.... Fantastic....
After 30 years playing it is THE single most enjoyable bodhran I have ever owned.....
I bought this in Cork 4 years ago.... Cost around 250 euro...
God, but a fine, fine instrument.....
Just a single skin, and sure why not.... wasn't the poor auld beasht only wearing one at the time of his / her demise!!!!! (-:
I have never had the pleasure of meeting Brendan, but I am sure he would be more polite in comments to other instruments than others are in this discussion, seeing that his craft is creating and not destroying the instrument...... and you know what I mean MG........
All the best in your pick, and I hope your new bodhran gives you years of pleasure.
(Zina, hope I was not a wee bit too harsh!! )
Heh. I've never met Brendan in person, but e-mailed him when my friend's bodhran was stolen from a pub session. (I ended up finding the thing on a sheer fluke in a pawn shop, and now I enjoy mucho props from my friend, who was very glad to have his lovely bodhran back.) I'm quite sure you're right, Eoin, he seems very nice and friendly.
Sorry about the increase! Most of the drums I have crafted have gone to students and upgraders such as yourself. It was a tough decision and one I have avoided for a year or so now. I realize that this price point may turn some people away but at this point I am doing all custom work. I do not buy shells to speed up production anymore. I craft all my own shells, tuners, veneer and finish the shells to spec. I also am processing the skin a second time to soften the skin to aid in break in time. All these changes have added to increased production time (labor) which leads to increased costs. I make one bodhran at a time. This also helps me maintain quality which has affected some of the makers that have been mentioned on this site and elsewhere. This is why there was a significant increase in pricing. I still would like to hear from you. Maybe I can help you find what you are looking for.
I was wondering how long it would take you to raise the prices. Considering the quality, which has been fantastic from the start, the price is still well below the inflation rate.
To anyone looking to purchase really, really good drums, Mike's work is among the best I have seen.
Sean
I own a Brendan double-skinned drum, but lived in Chicago for a long time (now in Philly) and saw a lot of Quinlans at work. I really like my drum but actually think that Brendan doesn't offer a small enough drum. 42cm (16.5") is pretty big, and I've noticed that as I've gotten older (relatively speaking, of course - I'm not THAT old), I've gravitated towards smaller drums. I would never buy a drum over 16" any more - the sound starts to get clumsy and not pointed enough, which is great for older more trad. music (Chieftans, Dubliners, etc), but if you're playing more contemporary stuff (Lunasa, Flook, etc), you really need a smaller drum. For what it's worth, I would drop the cash and get a Quinlan 16", or maybe even consider a 15" or 14".
About thirty seconds after I posted that last comment, I checked out Qunilan's website, and realized that most of his drums are now 15". I think that's great. You should buy a Quinlan 15" - your playing will thank you.
brendan white drums
brendan white drums
so then, i've been playing for about a year and i feel it's high-time i moved off this beginner drum. i was going to go with a mike quinlan, as i know people who know him and that lots of professionals use his drums, but it seems that they've gone up about a hundred or so dollars (now $350 american), which is a little much for me. now, brendan white's are a bit cheaper, and i've heard good things, but of course i wouldnt be able to go and try one out or anything, so i'm asking if anyone has personal experience with one of his bodhrans. i was thinking perhaps the tuneable single skin 42 cm diameter drum. any comments? or suggestions on other good makers for perhaps under $300 american? thanks very much.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by Bard
Re: brendan white drums
I Play a Brendan White Tuneable Double Skin and I am very happy with it. It sounds brillant. The sound is obiously a matter of taste. I know that some players prefer Single Skin.
I only live 120 Kilometersaway from Eindhoven, so it was easy for me to go there and check his instruments out. They are all very good, but it was very helpful to check out five of this model to pick my favourite. You cannot make a mistake if you buy from.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by Ranks
Re: brendan white drums
Crickey, $350? You could but a musical instrument for that. (drip drip)
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by ...
Re: brendan white drums
You're in trouble with Eoin now, Michael! *smirk* Better watch your back!
A friend plays a beautiful double Brendan White, and loves it to death. The contact I've had with Brendan has been very pleasant and he seems very nice, as well. On the other hand, I've heard some folks who have said that they're not happy with the quality of his latest drums, feeling that he's putting out too many drums too fast.
Do a search in the archives, this has come up a few times, thought not recently (unless it's been in the last three months while I was gone), so there is some info in the past threads.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: brendan white drums
I've also had a good experience with my Michael Vignoles tunable, which I got for under $300
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by goatwhacker
Re: brendan white drums
Bard,
I play A Brendan White drum.... Fantastic....
After 30 years playing it is THE single most enjoyable bodhran I have ever owned.....
I bought this in Cork 4 years ago.... Cost around 250 euro...
God, but a fine, fine instrument.....
Just a single skin, and sure why not.... wasn't the poor auld beasht only wearing one at the time of his / her demise!!!!! (-:
I have never had the pleasure of meeting Brendan, but I am sure he would be more polite in comments to other instruments than others are in this discussion, seeing that his craft is creating and not destroying the instrument...... and you know what I mean MG........
All the best in your pick, and I hope your new bodhran gives you years of pleasure.
(Zina, hope I was not a wee bit too harsh!! )
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by Eoino
Re: brendan white drums
Heh. I've never met Brendan in person, but e-mailed him when my friend's bodhran was stolen from a pub session. (I ended up finding the thing on a sheer fluke in a pawn shop, and now I enjoy mucho props from my friend, who was very glad to have his lovely bodhran back.) I'm quite sure you're right, Eoin, he seems very nice and friendly.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: brendan white drums
Bard,
Sorry about the increase! Most of the drums I have crafted have gone to students and upgraders such as yourself. It was a tough decision and one I have avoided for a year or so now. I realize that this price point may turn some people away but at this point I am doing all custom work. I do not buy shells to speed up production anymore. I craft all my own shells, tuners, veneer and finish the shells to spec. I also am processing the skin a second time to soften the skin to aid in break in time. All these changes have added to increased production time (labor) which leads to increased costs. I make one bodhran at a time. This also helps me maintain quality which has affected some of the makers that have been mentioned on this site and elsewhere. This is why there was a significant increase in pricing. I still would like to hear from you. Maybe I can help you find what you are looking for.
Mike Quinlan
# Posted on November 18th 2004 by Meeks
Re: brendan white drums
I was wondering how long it would take you to raise the prices. Considering the quality, which has been fantastic from the start, the price is still well below the inflation rate.
To anyone looking to purchase really, really good drums, Mike's work is among the best I have seen.
Sean
# Posted on November 18th 2004 by Sean O'Hare
Re: brendan white drums
ha, sean, its james if you didnt gather. didnt know you posted here.
# Posted on November 19th 2004 by Bard
Re: brendan white drums
I own a Brendan double-skinned drum, but lived in Chicago for a long time (now in Philly) and saw a lot of Quinlans at work. I really like my drum but actually think that Brendan doesn't offer a small enough drum. 42cm (16.5") is pretty big, and I've noticed that as I've gotten older (relatively speaking, of course - I'm not THAT old), I've gravitated towards smaller drums. I would never buy a drum over 16" any more - the sound starts to get clumsy and not pointed enough, which is great for older more trad. music (Chieftans, Dubliners, etc), but if you're playing more contemporary stuff (Lunasa, Flook, etc), you really need a smaller drum. For what it's worth, I would drop the cash and get a Quinlan 16", or maybe even consider a 15" or 14".
# Posted on November 18th 2005 by finster16
Re: brendan white drums
About thirty seconds after I posted that last comment, I checked out Qunilan's website, and realized that most of his drums are now 15". I think that's great. You should buy a Quinlan 15" - your playing will thank you.
# Posted on November 18th 2005 by finster16