Bodhrans

[Rubber Soul]

I've got a miniature bodhran and a drum similar to one that I play, but I'm really hankering for a real one, and I'm considering making my own. I've found a few resources explaining how to, and I also know someone who's made them before, so I could probably get help with him. I'm wondering if anyone here has ever made a bodhran, and if they have any advice (too difficult to do, very expensive to make, tips, etc). Thanks.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

If you have a Sam Ash music store around you, these are VERY easy to do. The ONE thing that I will recommend is that you make a "tuneable" unit. Sam Ash actually carries the tuneable head frames. You can use their skins, or make your own.

If you go with a skin and the wrap only, you're at the mercy of the weather (cold / hot) and the quality of the skin for the sound. That can be tough if you're going to do performance play.

If you're just making one for the h_ll of it, then you can tack the skin, trim it, and have a REAL easy project.

[Miah]

I have never made a bodhran but I made a Djembe in college

Mine looked alot like that one we made them out of solid logs.
We burt the center out to start and then carved the rest. the part about making them tuneable is a big thing Mine was only tuneable via strings. I wish that we would have used some modern hardware. If you want to save some cash you can start off canabalizing a tom tom drum off e-bay or something like that. Good luck in you project. Making instruments is great fun.

[Alan H]

I made a 16 inch non-tuneable bodhran from two layers of doorskins from Orchard Supply Hardware, epoxy, a broom handle, skin and furniture tacks.

It looksed ok, but was a bit small for getting the lower tones out of the drum. I have a knockoff 18 incher that counds pretty good, considering what it is and that it cost all of $60.. I might make a 20-inch non-tuneable and reallyhave a thumper. Honestly, it's a long-weekend project. It's not that hard.

If I ever get another bodhran to actually play in a number of situations besides the occaional session or just around the house, I'm getting a tuneable one with a synthetic head. The animal skin head ones are fun and I love mine, but a five percent change in the humidity and you're *moosed* you know?