Big Frankie posted this on the improvements to a cheap drum thread - it's worthy of its own thread

Paul

<Quote From Frankie's original post>

What I would personally take issue with is that you have to play a drum in. I find it irritating that we all put up with this and therefore validate lax workmanship. This is not just in the cheaper end of the market. I have had a few discussions with a bodhran maker who makes adjustable 16" drums and insists on setting them up with the Tuning ring level with the frame allowing for no downtuning. Then stores them in his lovely warm workshop till they sound like hardboard! Of course should you ask as you part with £150ish he will look knowingly over his glasses and tell you that you need to play it in!

Where does that leave you a month later when it still sounds like a biscuit tin? You can’t return it cos it's is now second hand and covered in lanolin which has given you an interesting skin complaint due to an allergy!

You would not expect an anglo concertina or a guitar to have to be "played in" don't fall for it with a bodhran. Like all other instruments you should be able to play it out of the box. And isn’t that the problem? Too many buy a bodhran because they think it’s “easy” and give up in two weeks. As long as they are the main buyers the more mercenary “genuine” Irish bodhran makers will keep supplying sub standard overseas made cack to the ignorant masses!

Rant over, I love you all. XXX

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