I'm glad this thread has sparked so much debate about improvements and modifications to cheaper drums. However, I currently have a 14" Metloef on loan from Paul Marshall and I can honestly say I haven't even looked at my Walton's for a month. While there are things that can be done to improve the sound and feel of cheaper bodhrans, I now know there is no substitute for a well crafted bodhran with a great skin. The difference between these two drums is so great it is impossible to describe here.

I am still very much a learner and will be for quite a while I'm sure, but I have at least begun to understand the benefits of practicing on a decent instrument. I would encourage anyone playing a Walton's (or similar) to seek out and try something better. My enjoyment of playing has dramatically increased. So cheers to Paul for the lend, and cheers to Rob for making such fine bodhrans. Expect an order shortly.

Hey Glenn,

absolutely no problem, I'm delighted that you are really enjoying the drum. It does make a huge difference when you hear good quality sounds and have something realistic to aim for in your practise or fun play.

The drum is the Honey Drum with a melisonorous (sounds like honey) skin and a natural cherry veneer - reference info for Rob. The drum is one of 3 siblings afaik, the others are owned by Kevin Crawford and Cathy Jordan. There are images of it in my section of our lovely new gallery feature :)

The skin is thicker than a lambeg skin but has been triple treated for flex. It's not even nearly played in and will improve greatly. You playing it in for me now is my payback for lending it to you :) LOL.

Enjoy it, I'm in no rush.

P

IMHO? like synthetic heads?

Hey Lioumanis,

I've played a few synthetic-headed bodhrans and never really liked the feel or sound of them. It has been several years since I had my hands on one so my memory isn't recent enough to give you firm reasons of what I was hearing or feeling that turned me cold on them, I just recall not liking it at all.

With that said, I have also played plenty of ill prepared goatskins that didn't float my boat either, your plastic head will sound better that many of the drums described at the start of this thread but will never match a well prepared natural-headed instrument.

That doesn't mean that synthetic heads don't have a use, there are certain parts of the world where a natural head just wouldn't work because of heat & humidity or cold & damp. For my personal taste however I simply don't like sythnetic bodhran heads (or djembe heads) :)

P

lioumanis wrote:

QUOTE:
IMHO? like synthetic heads?

IMHO means In my honest opinion and yes I meant synthetic heads, they dont feel or sound quite the same to me, though many sound pretty good (in fact drastically better than many similarly priced goat skin headed bodhrans).

Awesome thanks for the input, I leave today to do a Canadian east coast tour with my remo drum. I am bringing that just because of the low maintaining.

Cheers lads!