Improvements to a cheap drum

Im sure Im not alone in the fact that I own a cheap drum and until I can afford something better Im stuck with it. However after much reading on the inkernet I have managed to make some improvements to my Waltons 18 incher and have almost made it sound bearable. I thought I would share these improvements with the forum.

1. When I got the drum, which was a Christmas gift from my parents, the inside of the skin was very rough which I initially thought there was nothing I could do about. However, I read on this site (cheers Paul) that I could sandpaper the skin using some very fine sandpaper (300 or 400 I think) I gave both sides of the skin a light sanding using circular motions, obviously paying more attention the rougher inside.

2. The crossbar had also been set very close to the skin which made for some very uncomfortable left hand positions and very little movement. I have since removed the crossbar which has improved things a lot and has allowed for more varied left hand trickery. Im aware that the crossbar may have been the only thing holding the drum in shape but so far so good.

3. I also found some instructions on taping the edge of bodhrans. I hadnt realised until I spoke to Paul Marshal that this was simply black electrical tape. My drum had a serious twang to it which has more or less been removed by taping the edge with a few laps of ¾ inch tape. This has had the most positive effect on the tone.

4. I also now use a water spray to loosen the skin before playing and am becoming a little better at judging just how much the skin needs to make it sound bearable.

Once our new little baby is born and my wife lifts the ban on the buying of new toys, I will certainly be purchasing a proper instrument. But until then Im making the best of a bad job. Hope this helps anyone else who is stuck in cheap drum limbo.

Cheers

Glenn

Hi Glenn,

All good stuff. I too am in the same situation as you in regards to owning a cheaper model.

Having not played for long now (less than a year), a few months ago I did all of the things you mentioned, which resulted in great improvement to sound and playability.

In addition to each step you took, I also slightly sanded the edge of the rim that sits against my arm just to smooth it out a bit and made the drum a little more comfortable. Another thing I did was apply some dubbin on the recommendation of a very wise man. Just applied it in a circular motion on the outside of the skin and wiped off the excess.

All of this (cross bar removal, sanding the skin and the rim, dubbin on outside, tape the outside of the drum) all took about three quarters of an hour and took my drum from a high ringing pinging thing to a decent sounding drum. I still do have to spray it on the inside fairly regularly in these dry winter conditions, but like you, can know better judge the amount of water needed.

I find now, even though it is a cheaper drum, it is much easier to sit down with Steafan’s book and play through the pages – now that my instrument actually sounds like a bodhran instead of a high-pitched ting ting ting it made before. Nothing is more frustrating as a beginner than listening to lots of music, reading about how to play, trying to play along with recordings and try to learn an instrument when it goes ping ting ping instead of the proper sound it makes now…

Take care,

ED

Hey Guys,

Great thread for the many out there who own drums that have the qualities you describe. The skin will also improve with time and playing but by the time your current drums are played-in you'll have shiny new ones that go Booooomm! :)

Glenn it was great to meet you and your wife, I'm happy that the site and the forum has helped take SOME of the frustration away - If you would like to borrow one of my drums on which to practise until you can get one of your own it'd not be a problem. I only have two hands and I'm inseparable from the egg as you might have gathered.

I feel your pain and appreciate my egg just a little more :)

P

Hi Folks,

A couple of things to be aware of - new skins need playing in - a lot! So a new drum wont get the best sound for some time to come.

I personally (on experience) wouldn't use dubbin - unless you can get clear dubbin - otherwise the dyes are not appropriate for a musical instrument.

To lubricate the skin use neatsfoot oil. You can find this at any saddlers - but MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE it is 100% PURE neatsfoot oil. Steer clear of anything marked compound or premium (they add mineral oil to it...mineral oil is a similar stuff to what goes in cars - although its mainly synthetic oils in cars these days!). Neatsfoot oil comes from cattle. Natural product about as close to what is inside the animal's own body as you are going to get.

Indeed Brendan White says lube the skin with natural oil (lanolin is another like neatsfoot).

Cheers folks

I suppose one advantage of owning a cheaper bodhran that it allows for fearless tinkering and experimentation.

Ed, glad to hear of your successful improvements. I'll try sanding the rim also. I sometimes end up with some nasty marks on my left arm.

Paul, if you're sure, I'd love to borrow one of your drums for a while. Which one of your goat-skinned babies would you be willing to part with?

Cheers

Glenn

Hey Glenn,

drop me a pm, email or call me and we can decide :)

P