I'm coming more and more to the opinion that tape should not be near the front of the drum, simply because it really REALLY dulls the sound of the Tipper hitting the skin - I can see no point [for my 'style'] in reducing any of the stick attack sounds, particularly with rods which are my standard tool.

I think too that many contemporary drums are over-taped both in terms of the physical amount of tape but also in terms of the distance it encroaches upon the playing surface. I do think that this is possibly because of the growing desire for soft-sounding drums 'straight out of the box'.

I certainly wouldn't the trade attack or definition of my tipper strokes for 'pillow-like' bass but no 'bite', an unfortunate trade-off I have remarked upon consistently in at least one popular model. Instead I seek to find both in the one drum or one drum's set-up. It has taken me a while (and Rob's great drum building skills) but I almost have it now and know how to make it the way I want for the MKIII.

My opinion [currently] is that edge weighting appliquées [taping] should be on the inside of the drum and just enough of it to absorb the reflection of vibration through the skin to the edge and back that causes the ringing tone.

Muting this effect certainly does not take 2 inches of tape on the playing area, definitely less than an inch and more like a half inch or less. My hand is so rarely off the skin when playing that I'm tending toward no tape and allowing the drum to be a little more 'lively' with dampening provided by the hand, but I understand if that's not for everyone.

The Eckerman Tabla bodhran with its inner skin-ring is probably the best example of attack that I have encountered, however for my money it lacked the bottom end although always sounded gorgeous for Paul Phillips.

As we are finding out, the world of bodhran design is yet full of uncertainties and unknowns despite the recent flurry of patents and design registrations. There are many many theories, prototypes and nearly-there designs available and under consideration. Threads like this one can be quite significant and I'm grateful to everyone for your participation, particularly to Rob who has shared so freely of his experience.

P