How to Find a Used Bodhran For Sale
Some musical instruments may be more difficult for beginners to pick up, but bodhrans are incredibly straightforward and are therefore ideal as the starting instrument for Irish folk music fans.
A bodhran is a round wooden drum with a goat skin head tacked to one side, featuring an open-ended opening for one hand to touch its surface to control pitch and sound characteristics.
1. Hobgoblin
A bodhran is an Irish frame drum comprising of a circular wooden shell covered with animal skin stretched over it and played using a beater. As its names implies, traditional Irish music revolves around this musical instrument.
Hobgoblin, an instrument specialty site, offers used bodhrans for sale at affordable prices. Their selection includes popular beginner brands like Roosebeck and Glenluce while they also carry higher-quality models by Meinl and Remo that come equipped with tunable tuning bodhrans for those more advanced players.
Amazon can be an ideal place to search for used bodhrans. Amazon carries both Meinl and Waltons brands; Waltons is known for producing low-priced non-tunable drums; however, some excellent 16” models by them should also be considered. Amazon Prime membership makes shopping even easier; just remember to read reviews before purchasing a used drum; otherwise you might end up with one that sounds terrible or doesn’t fit correctly!
2. Bodojo
When purchasing a used bodhran for sale, it’s wise to do your research and compare different vendors before making a final decision. Check for sound clips or videos of it being played before deciding; additionally, seek advice from other bodhran players if available.
One of the best places to locate used bodhrans for sale is The Sessions, an online community dedicated to traditional Irish music fans and players. This site boasts an expansive library of tunes and recordings as well as an active discussion board; while some users might find its forums somewhat distasteful, The Sessions remains an excellent opportunity to discover more about bodhrans while meeting like-minded enthusiasts.
3. Bodhran Makers
If you’re shopping for used bodhrans, there are plenty of choices out there – the key is to find one you can actually play well, which means buying from someone with experience making them.
A bodhran is a round frame drum with a goat skin head attached. It can be played either with your bare hands or beaters known as tippers, cipins or bodegas.
The bodhran is thought to have originated either from a tambourine or, according to some, the winnowing sieve (Scottish and Welsh versions), although more likely, it emerged on its own.
The Bodhran has become the heartbeat of Irish music thanks to virtuoso players such as Robin Morton from The Boys of the Lough, Christy Moore from Planxty and De Danann’s Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh of De Danann. While seemingly simple as an instrument goes, its popularity among Irish musicians of all stripes makes it an essential must-have instrument.
4. eBay
Cheap painted bodhrans for sale at tourist shops or online may not play well and cannot be tuned, which makes buying directly from their maker the superior option. Most makers maintain websites and accept orders online; Paraic McNeela of Dublin Ireland has an amazing site featuring flutes, whistles, bodhrans and Rob Forkner of Metloef Irish Drums offer high-quality instruments while Seamus O’Kane of Derry Ireland produces drums used by top players.
Chiff and Fipple is an invaluable online forum for discussing traditional instruments, including the bodhran. Head over to its Bodhran thread in the forums if you are in search of or selling one yourself; alternatively there are Irish Music Store and Celtic Instruments which specialize in selling Bodhrans – it’s best to try different models out first before purchasing one sight unseen.
