• Roosebeck Tunable Bodhran, Rosewood 18" Cross-Bar Main photo
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Bodhran

Roosebeck 18" Tunable Bodhran, Rosewood Cross-Bar

$139
$139
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18" Diameter Solid Rosewood Frame Goatskin Head Inside Tuning Fixed Cross-Bar

Ideal for: Beginners and intermediate players who want the deepest possible bodhran voice in a tunable frame

The full 18-inch rosewood bodhran with the deepest voice in our line.

The 18-inch rosewood bodhran is the largest tunable size we make, and the extra two inches of diameter compared to a 16-inch model translate into noticeably deeper, fuller low-end response. The solid rosewood frame adds density and warmth that complements the bigger air column inside the shell. Inside bolt tuning keeps the exterior clean while the fixed cross-bar gives beginners a stable, comfortable grip behind the head.

The Deepest Voice in the Bodhran Line

An 18-inch shell moves more air than a 16-inch shell, and that translates directly into a fuller, deeper low-end response. The solid rosewood frame is dense and resonant, adding warmth and sustain to the natural goatskin head's voice. This is the bodhran for players who want their drum to sit firmly in the bass register of an Irish session.

Why rosewood for bodhrans: Rosewood's density helps the frame act as an acoustic partner to the head rather than just a structural ring. The result is a warmer, more complex tone than lighter frame woods produce.

Solid Rosewood Frame, Clean Inside Tuning

The 18-by-3.5-inch shell is built from solid rosewood, with a fixed cross-bar inside the frame for grip support. Bolt tuning is mounted on the interior of the frame, completely hidden from view. From the outside, the drum reads as a clean, traditional bodhran without external tuning lugs to catch on clothing.

The fixed cross-bar is a beginner-friendly choice. It gives your non-dominant hand a stable grip without requiring the technique of free-hand back pressure. As you advance, you can rest your hand on the bar while still applying pressure to the head behind it.

Cross-bar vs. T-bar: A cross-bar is fixed and runs straight across the inside of the frame, giving stable two-handed grip. A T-bar is removable and shorter. The cross-bar is the more traditional and beginner-friendly choice.

Tuning the Larger Shell

Use the included tuning wrench to adjust the bolts inside the frame. On an 18-inch head, turn each bolt a small amount and work around the head in a star pattern. Larger heads need slightly more tension overall to reach a comparable playing pitch, so expect to make several passes. New goatskin stretches in over the first few weeks of regular play, so retune often early on.

Hold the drum against your chest, fret the back of the head with your non-dominant hand (or rest it on the cross-bar), and strike with the tipper held loosely between thumb and fingers. The 18-inch shell rewards a fuller stroke than a 14 or 16, so don't be afraid to commit to the strike.

Sizing for your body: The 18-inch is the largest size and works best for players of average to larger frame. If you're petite or playing seated for long stretches, a 16-inch may be more comfortable.

Technical Specifications

Diameter 18 inches
Shell Depth 3.5 inches
Frame Material Solid rosewood
Head Natural goatskin
Tuning System Inside bolt tuning
Internal Bar Fixed cross-bar

What's in the Box

Every 18-inch rosewood bodhran ships set up, ready to be tuned and played.

Tipper Tuning Wrench Owner's Guide (PDF)

Have questions about this instrument? Contact us or browse all Bodhrans.

Questions about this instrument?
Talk to our team or browse all bodhrans.
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Roosebeck 18" Tunable Bodhran, Rosewood Cross-Bar

$139
$139

Watch & Listen

Hear it played

Tradition you can feel, craftsmanship you can hear.
Solid tonewoods
Cured, cut, and chosen for sound.
Voiced by hand
Fretboards dressed, action set, bridges fit by our luthiers.
Made to be played
Built for working musicians, designed to sound better the more you play it.
Since 1973
Five decades of building instruments that last generations.

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