As a relatively new goatwhacker, I'm experimenting with some of the different styles, and being fascinated by top-end have had a hard time finding proper tippers suitable for the technique. I'm sure someone has mentioned this before, but I was wondering if a common (rounded) chopstick would suffice? Even for practice? Thanks for letting me participate in this forum.

Bruce

Hi Bruce

I don't see why you can't use chopsticks as a tipper, my poor drums have been played using bottles, spoons, maracas, paint brushes, hair brushes, anything that is non sharp that has taken my fancy to try.

David

Hi Bruce.

That is exactly what I started to use when I began to become interested in "topend"....chopsticks.

I found those plastic chopsticks that restaurants use....the are tapered....but round on the thinner end, and a little squarer on the far end.

I would add some rubberbands to the part nearest the hand to add some weight.

they worked fine and you can get 10 pairs for a couple of bucks!

when you pick up the chopsticks...grab some bamboo barbeque skewers as well...and make your own rod sticks. I would just use electrical tape and rubber bands to hold the skewers together

-kip

Getting confused as to which thread I'm aiming at here, but with Bruce and Tonedeafbuthoping in mind..... If you are thinking of making your own tippers, scroll through 'the most popular topics ever' and read the posts 'cos there's mention of taking care with bamboo skewers - careful sanding of the tips for the sake of your skin etc... and MUCH else.
Has anyone a remedy for 'sealing' bamboo skewers against splitting and damaging skins?
Other wood type rods are definitely preferable IMO.... John

Kip - thanks for the response. The rubber-band idea was helpful as the weight was an issue. I've not found any top-end style tippers available to purchase on the internet and I've already made a few using the skewers. I guess I could purchase a fiddle bow and try that. Thanks again to all for the input.

Ralf Siepman at www.bodhranshop.com makes GREAT "topend" tippers....i've used his concert sticks, tapered drum sticks and RSE sticks....

albert alfonso makes some really nice topend style sticks as well. longer and thinner www.albertalfonso.com

Christian Hedwitschak makes topend style tippers as well http://www.bodhranmaker.de/
http://www.fiddlers-grove.com may do a custom tipper if you ask

Dave at http://www.besttippers.com/bodhran_tippers_017.htm looks to be doing some topendy tippers

i've also used thin timbale sticks...cut them down to 6" or 9" and rounded the cut end off, or even done that to thin drum sticks, to try to get some inexpensive topend style tippers

the 9" plastic chopstick with some extra weight works pretty well... weight is darn close to some of the other topend sticks i have

personally... i find the actual tippers made from a fiddle bow to be far to light in weight for me...but that is just my preference

-kip