Chiff and Fipple Forums

I'm looking for an inexpensive Bodhran. Does anyone have any thoughts on who make the best bodhran for the money?

Remo 14" Bodhran

14" deep rim bodhran

I had a look for cheapish and bang for the buck (or the goat) and these ones above looked like the best I could find.

Personally I would go for the Remo.

If you define "inexpensive" a bit more clearly, then we can go from there.

Any drum you fancy the look of post a link here and one of the chiffers with bodhran experience will give you an opinion.


David

I'm thinking a $100 limit

Hi Greg

At that price point, everything that is available will be either Pakistani made, or lately Chinese made (Waltons, I have been told, gets drums made in China).

16" deep rim Bodhran comes under your price limit as well and would be "reasonable" to play once the skin has been broken in.

To tell the truth, at your price point, I would consider most of the bodhrans available only fit to be given to an artist to paint a nice design on it and then hung on the wall.

I found this 16" Remo Bodhran on ebay US for $114 - go the extra $14 and save yourself a lot of hassle, it will be better made, and have a higher resale value if you don't like it.

David

IMO its not possible to find a $100 bodhrán you'd want to play, and/or develop your playing skills on..
Buy quality - cry once.
My 2 cents.

Thanks guys .... You just saved me $100.

I think I'll just start saving, and get a quality one. I've bought cheap guitars in the past and have never been happy with them. They end up sitting in the case until they're resold.

So now my next question is ... How does a person find a really good Bodhran?

usually by looking at what the pros are playing or asking forums like this one
and then making a decision what you want from the drum.
I'd suggest going with one of those
Rob Forkner www.metloef.com
Diarmaid O'Kane - http://www.tradcentre.com/diarmaid/
Seamus O'Kane (Diarmaid's father) - http://www.tradcentre.com/seamus/
I've few drums from the first 2 gentlemen and they're are great. and Seamus O'Kane is bodhran making legend so you can go wrong there.
some folks might suggest Christian Hedwischak from Germany - http://www.bodhranmaker.de/
but personally I don't like his drums.
as for a "cheaper" option, you can check out suppliers of Meinl
I've seen Robbie Harris playing 14" one on the Tarab CD launch, and must say it sounded pretty good.
all Remo bodhrans that I've seen had a plastic head and it's just a waste of money.
just my 2c.

I play a Metloef, but if I had it to do all over again, I'd buy one of Albert Alfonso's.

Pat

For a first bodhrán, i'd recommend Brendan White's non tuneable (if cost, or uncertainty whether the bodhrán is the instrument for you is an issue). If not, a tuneable model is preferable.
http://www.bodhran.nl/site/index/bodhrans
I don't know if Eamonn Maguire still make bodhráns, but i have a non tuneable 18" from him, bought 1994 that still gets favourable comments at sessions for its sound..
(Way back then i think it cost €90..)
I second (from own experience) Seamus O'Kane.

EDIT: Brendan White's non tuneable bodhran can be upgraded with tuning ring later, should one wish to.

Hi Greg

Glad to see that you have decided to go for a craftsman made drum now (good for you).

I play Metloef and Belgarth bodhrans so I would normally refer someone looking for a decent bodhran to them.

Mance Grady vid
Metloef drums
Alphonso Da Blonde bodhran

David

Thanks guys!

I've looked up, or at least tried to look up every Bodhran mentioned here, and created a "favorites" tab on the computer. Now the next step is to admire them, until one looks prettier than the rest.

Yes, I'd rather get an instrument that sounds good, than go on the cheap. I could spend BIG money on a bodhran and still never come close to what I spent for even one of my guitars.

How about MP3 tracks? Is there a website that I could go to listen? I've already been on YouTube.

Absolutely nothing wrong with the 16" Remo that was linked to. I use one as my "travel" instrument as there is no concern about it sitting in a hot car.

It's tunable, sounds pretty good and the synthetic head stays where you tune it.

I've been a percussionist all my adult life, although some would argue I've yet to enter that phase, and whackin' goats for most of that.

In the meantime, buy a tipper, get a pizza box (I'm sure you'll know how) and go online and find some lessons. There are several good sites, but if you can find her, I'd suggest Lucy Randall.

Just flail away...like the rest of us.

JD

You could try Bodojo it is the specialist forum for bodhran players.

David

i've a Mance Grady that i thoroughly enjoy. nicely made. great tone.

be,

jim

Greg Connor wrote:Thanks guys!

I've looked up, or at least tried to look up every Bodhran mentioned here, and created a "favorites" tab on the computer. Now the next step is to admire them, until one looks prettier than the rest.

Yes, I'd rather get an instrument that sounds good, than go on the cheap. I could spend BIG money on a bodhran and still never come close to what I spent for even one of my guitars.

How about MP3 tracks? Is there a website that I could go to listen? I've already been on YouTube.

On that note - The O'Kane drums look very plain (IMO) but sound miles better than some sunburst laquered, fancy inlayed cardboard box sounding bodhráns i've come across, so a warning not to judge the book by the cover