I'm quite new to bodhran playing and have a 16" drum with a double crossbar.
It just fits me like a glove, literally !! Once I get my hand behind a bar it's quite impossible to move it around.
I'm somebody who likes to do things slowly and would like some advice about removing a crossbrace, or hell, even half !! Could keep a T-brace for the moment ??
For a second there I thought you found a new way to remove bodhráns. Oh well we can always hope right?
I remember two years ago when a friend came to visit from Ireland. He brought with him two bodhráns for me to try with the hopes I would buy them. I did, but they both had crossbars. Whilst in the hotel lobby trying out the drums I removed the crossbars from both drums. I do not like any crossbars on my bodhráns. I fell the lack of them offers me greater flexibility in tone control.
Generally if the shell is laminated wood there should be no problem removing the crossbars entirely. The caveat, and life is full of these, is that the drum may be a bit difficult to hold onto without them if you are standing up and playing. Other then that the removal of the crossbars should have no effect. They may be mounted via screws through the shell. If so simply remove the screws. If they are doweled and glued you may have a bit more of a time removing them. In this case I would use a coping or other thin flexible blade saw to cut the braces as near to the shell as possible. Then I would sand down the remaining bits to conform to the radius of the shell.
But seriously, sound advice there, & perhaps you could remove the inner bar first & see how much more comfortable that is.
If so, you may not actually need to take both out?
Any descent carpenter could do this for you. Sounds like the shell is not very deep. Is it tuneable? Many of the low end drums don't retain their tension for the proper pitch without the crossbars.
Truth be told Ptar I don't know how to get the twiddly things from the keyboard either. I put the word into Google and when it returns with "Did you mean 'blah'?" I copy and paste the word with the appropriate twiddly things into MSword and then to here. I need spell check.
I have no problem moving my hand around wherever I want on my bodhran, and I'm not a very small man. I'm wondering if the problem has more to do with how you're holding the drum than with the cross bars.
I'm surprised all the experts didn't tell you to keep the struts and throw the bodhran away.Clicky sticks would sound great with irish music.
Most struts are very easy to take out, if in doubt, send me a pic of the drum. The struts on my drums are almost impossible to remove...major surgery
Thanks for your posts, Señors.
Ok, I'll confess... It's a fiberskyn. I know that this will lead you all to mockery and I'm prepared for the worst.
But fiberskyn or not, the bars are only 1"1/2 from the skin. It's a 16" double crossbar (no saddle, or brakes) and while I can get my hand in there I can't do much else than press my hand against the skin. It's like fondling a girl in a straightjacket!
To be more precise - fondling a girl in a straightjacket while beating her with a stick!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to you I've figured out the " ñ " and the used this method to obtaiñ the " ë " añd thë " ô " sô I'm quitë gôôd at catchiñg ôñ.
I'll havë this bôdhráñ (ôh, thërë's thë " á ") busiñëss ñáiled iñ a wëëk if I côuld just gët át it.
Anybody else got anything they'd like to get off their chest? before giving any sound advice.
"the bars are only 1"1/2 from the skin" does that seem close to you?
My crossbars are only 1 3/4" from the skin. Maybe this extra 1/4" is the big difference, but I don't know. I have no problem like what you're describing. Maybe you should consider getting a different bodhrán.
Sushi, If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's a website to check out - but before you go there, here's a quote from it, just to whet your appetite!
"The loudest drum in the world?
The Lambeg could stake a claim to the title of the loudest drum in the world, it is frequently played at above 120db, louder than a small aircraft taking off and about the same as a pneumatic drill."
Boy, could these babies mess up your local session - big time!
Remo bodhran thangies make good frisbees. Everything is synthetic, so you could scuba dive and play bodhran. You might want to keep the crossbars for hanging on when you scuba dive.
Double crossbar bodhran removal
Double crossbar bodhran removal
Hello everyone,
I'm quite new to bodhran playing and have a 16" drum with a double crossbar.
It just fits me like a glove, literally !! Once I get my hand behind a bar it's quite impossible to move it around.
I'm somebody who likes to do things slowly and would like some advice about removing a crossbrace, or hell, even half !! Could keep a T-brace for the moment ??
Anyone?
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by sushi
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Greetings Sushi,
For a second there I thought you found a new way to remove bodhráns. Oh well we can always hope right?
I remember two years ago when a friend came to visit from Ireland. He brought with him two bodhráns for me to try with the hopes I would buy them. I did, but they both had crossbars. Whilst in the hotel lobby trying out the drums I removed the crossbars from both drums. I do not like any crossbars on my bodhráns. I fell the lack of them offers me greater flexibility in tone control.
Generally if the shell is laminated wood there should be no problem removing the crossbars entirely. The caveat, and life is full of these, is that the drum may be a bit difficult to hold onto without them if you are standing up and playing. Other then that the removal of the crossbars should have no effect. They may be mounted via screws through the shell. If so simply remove the screws. If they are doweled and glued you may have a bit more of a time removing them. In this case I would use a coping or other thin flexible blade saw to cut the braces as near to the shell as possible. Then I would sand down the remaining bits to conform to the radius of the shell.
Who is the maker of your bodhrán?
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by ejsant
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Esjant, you must be thinking of one of these, with which you could take out two, for the price of one shot!:
http://naturecoast.com/hobby/ma810.htm
As for playing the Bodhran while standing up. If that is your intention Sushi, then you might like to read this recent Bodhran Discussion.
:http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/8042/comments#comment172484
But seriously, sound advice there, & perhaps you could remove the inner bar first & see how much more comfortable that is.
If so, you may not actually need to take both out?
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Well done Senior Ptarmigan, that will certainly remove a bodhrán or two.
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by ejsant
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Didn't you mean Senor, Ed?
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Ummm, No
but I believe you meant Señor!
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by ejsant
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Any descent carpenter could do this for you. Sounds like the shell is not very deep. Is it tuneable? Many of the low end drums don't retain their tension for the proper pitch without the crossbars.
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Sorry Ed, but I haven't learned yet, how to do all those twiddly bits over the letters.
I have a hard enough time with the twiddly bits in the music!
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Truth be told Ptar I don't know how to get the twiddly things from the keyboard either. I put the word into Google and when it returns with "Did you mean 'blah'?" I copy and paste the word with the appropriate twiddly things into MSword and then to here. I need spell check.
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by ejsant
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Ah ha, a nice bit of lateral thinking there ejsant.
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
I have no problem moving my hand around wherever I want on my bodhran, and I'm not a very small man. I'm wondering if the problem has more to do with how you're holding the drum than with the cross bars.
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Where will you put the saddle once you have removed the cross bar?
# Posted on October 30th 2005 by geoffwright
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
I'm surprised all the experts didn't tell you to keep the struts and throw the bodhran away.Clicky sticks would sound great with irish music.
Most struts are very easy to take out, if in doubt, send me a pic of the drum. The struts on my drums are almost impossible to remove...major surgery
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by mcknowall
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Thanks for your posts, Señors.
Ok, I'll confess... It's a fiberskyn. I know that this will lead you all to mockery and I'm prepared for the worst.
But fiberskyn or not, the bars are only 1"1/2 from the skin. It's a 16" double crossbar (no saddle, or brakes) and while I can get my hand in there I can't do much else than press my hand against the skin. It's like fondling a girl in a straightjacket!
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by sushi
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Hey! Cool Sushi. I see you've already picked up how to do that squiggly thing over the n in senor.
I'd say you'll sort your Bodhran out in double quick time.
Now all you have to work out is - what the hell is 'Double Quick Time'!
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
fondling a girl in a straightjacket.
Is that you wearing the straightjacket, or the girl?
Tell us more about these formative experiences ...
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by Ottery
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
To be more precise - fondling a girl in a straightjacket while beating her with a stick!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to you I've figured out the " ñ " and the used this method to obtaiñ the " ë " añd thë " ô " sô I'm quitë gôôd at catchiñg ôñ.
I'll havë this bôdhráñ (ôh, thërë's thë " á ") busiñëss ñáiled iñ a wëëk if I côuld just gët át it.
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by sushi
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
I have the solution to your problem -- get a real bodhran.
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Thankyou.
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by sushi
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
You'rewelcome
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Anybody else got anything they'd like to get off their chest? before giving any sound advice.
"the bars are only 1"1/2 from the skin" does that seem close to you?
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by sushi
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
My crossbars are only 1 3/4" from the skin. Maybe this extra 1/4" is the big difference, but I don't know. I have no problem like what you're describing. Maybe you should consider getting a different bodhrán.
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
2" is a nice gap with a cutaway shell, a bit more with no cutaway for comfort. Who is the girl in the straightjacket?
# Posted on November 1st 2005 by mcknowall
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Sushi, I have the answer, why don't you throw your Bodhran away & switch to a good old, traditional, 'Lambeg Drum'!
No nasty crossbars thingys to worry about with those babies, cause they took them out already & you beat the skin with them!
# Posted on November 1st 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Sushi, If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's a website to check out - but before you go there, here's a quote from it, just to whet your appetite!
"The loudest drum in the world?
The Lambeg could stake a claim to the title of the loudest drum in the world, it is frequently played at above 120db, louder than a small aircraft taking off and about the same as a pneumatic drill."
Boy, could these babies mess up your local session - big time!
http://www.drumdojo.com/world/ireland/lambeg.htm
# Posted on November 1st 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Remo bodhran thangies make good frisbees. Everything is synthetic, so you could scuba dive and play bodhran. You might want to keep the crossbars for hanging on when you scuba dive.
# Posted on November 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Or a fishtank, or a kite, or even a musical instrument!!!
Thanks @ mcknowall - 2" sounds reasonable. I visited your site - WOW!!!
@ Ptarmigan - I would recommend the Lambeg to anyone looking for a divorce.
Checkout : http://sj.blacksteel.com/long-sleeves/ he got it free with a bodran!
# Posted on November 1st 2005 by sushi
Re: Double crossbar bodhran removal
Nice one Sushi. I know a few 'musicians' I would like to see in one of those 'smart jackets'!
# Posted on November 1st 2005 by Ptarmigan