A while back a Fred Halpin Bodhran was advertised on the board. It went while I was out of town. I’ve decided to get a bodhran and would like to trade a whistle or whistles for one of Fred’s drums. If anyone is interested please contact me off forum at jdurdin@heartland.net
In my trade stock I have Overtons, Silkstone Alloy D/C set, Sindt Bflat, a Reyburn and others.
take care
jim
[ This Message was edited by: livethe question on 2002-11-06 18:18 ]
Since I was lucky enough to get mine signed by half of the members of the Chieftains, I don’t think I’ll be parting ways with it. It’s sentimental value is much greater now as well (see Derek Bell RIP thread).
But I think Fred doesn’t really have much of a wait, and his prices are pretty reasonable. Heck, HE might even want to do a trade…never hurts ot ask anyway!
Good luck!
Bri~
I was talking to Fred the other day about another bodhran – I own two of his 19" and 25" and Fred doesn’t play the whistle. To busy making bodhrans!
MarkB
Thanks for the suggestion Brian and the info MarkB. Have you had a chance to play Fred’s 15" bodhran. Why would a person choose a 15" over a 19" or a 19" over a 15"?
I take it that both of you would recommend one of Fred’s instruments?
thanks
jim
I’ve played both, and liked both. Obviously, the bigger diameters are deeper, and a bit more resonant, while the smaller you go, they are a little tighter, and quicker in the sound. Now that being said, Fred’s work is known for being deep and resonant anyway, so it’s all relative to each other.
I would heartily recommend his work as top notch, and I think you can even ask for custom colors on the wood/leatherwork. My next one if the wallet allows I think I’ll try for a black or very dark exterior wood stain, with a dark green leather strip at the tack. Regardless of color, you’ll LOVE them!
B~
http://celticfire.com/Instruments/Percussion/percussion.html
As you are asking for the Halpin bodhrans I though I would mention Eckerman bodhrans which are available from Celtic Fire in the US. As far as my taste in look and sound is concerned they are THE drums I prefer to every other I have seen so far, the tuning system is probably down to the same original idea than Fred is making his ones but to my eyes the Eckermanns are much nicer to look at from the finish. They look smooth and rounder and not as rustic than others and are lighter in weight to most others I have come across. Excellent craftman ship in the wood work as well as the skins. Pricewise I think they are very similar and do not harm each other there.
Anyway thought I mention this here. The Eckermann drum website is http://www.eckermanndrums.com just in case you want to see some pictures of them.
Brigitte
Hi Jim
No I haven’t had the chance to play Fred’s 15". At the moment I am playing a Mance Grady 14" which I like immensely, especially in noisey sessions in small rooms. It really cuts through, if you leave the skin slightly tighter.
I have had a Halpin 19" for almost seven years and use it almost all the time in larger venues. The 25" I use to accompany harpist, since I’m not miced with them. They need a steadier beat with a more filling sound, and I play the giant quite differently than a regular bodhran when playing with them.
But with all the humidity that exist in Southeastern Michigan (the Detroit area) and in Southwestern Ontario, Fred’s bodhrans are the instrument of choice, just for the fact that you can tighten them when the humidex is at 98 and the ambient air temperature is is 90 degrees.
In all I own seven bodhrans and each has a different timbre about it that I use depending on the mood, not that I take all to a session! but I usually bring two.
But instead of WHoA I have B.A.D (I don’t have to explain it!)and still have one wall in my condo that has room for several more!!
Fred is always wanting me to try his new bodhrans but like whistles, I like a variety of makers. A corresponding friend in Lethbridge likes Fred’s 15" a lot for one simple reason, among many, you can stand and play it! The nineteen is to heavy to stand and play.
But you can’t go wrong in purchasing Fred’s bodhrans. That is if you like as Brian Lee stated you like a deeper resonating sound!
MarkB
Good points made here by all…and I should probably have mentioned this before…
If you’re at all used to the cheapos, like Walton’s etc. and pick up a Halpin drun, the first thing you’ll notice is that it seems to weigh twenty pounds, and the cheapo is as light as a feather.
I think, in extreme cases, you could almost use Fred’s woodwork as an endtable. They are VERY sturdy drums. You can also have the skins replaced on Fred’s as with most decent makers. Last I checked, the fee for this was somewhere around $90-$100 or so. Not to bad considering the tone you get.
B~
Again thanks to MarkB and Brian and I now add Brigitte for the info and education. So much to think about.
It appears I’m not going to get any takers on trading for one of the bodhrans I’ve got my eye on but one last try…
I have a Copeland Brass High D that I would consider trading for the right drum. Anyone out there interested?
thanks
jim
Come on Jim, just go for it! We are the Bodhrain. Resistance is futile.
(my expected bodhran delivery: Nov. 27th 
)
(…Susan doesn’t like me anymore. 
)
–Beth
(my expected bodhran delivery: Nov. 27th >
Funny. That was my expecting mother’s delivery: Nov 27th. 19#@§4. No wonder I sound hollow at times. 
Hmm, noisy phone line tonite, plenty parasites…
Sorry to respond so late, I had some discussion to do with the group.
I’m the one who purchased the 20" Halpin bodhran from Blayne M. in the summer. It is beautiful in sound and construction, but our drummer has not been able to make the transition from his thin-wall cheap drum to this one-- its thick walls makes his arm go numb!
I couldn’t accept a trade (as this is the band’s bodhran), but I will sell it for the same price of $225 plus shipping. If interested, please contact me through my email address: lieurance@wmich.edu.
Cara