• Roosebeck Tunable Sheesham Bodhran — 16" T-Bar front view
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Roosebeck

Roosebeck Tunable Sheesham Bodhran 16" T-Bar

Roosebeck Tunable Sheesham Bodhran 16" T-Bar

16-Inch Tunable T-Bar Sheesham Shell Natural Goatskin Session-Ready

Ideal for: Session players, performing musicians, and advancing bodhran students

The workhorse bodhran for serious players.

Sixteen inches is the sweet spot for most bodhran players. Big enough for full, powerful tone with deep bass response, yet comfortable to hold for extended playing sessions. This is the size you'll find in the hands of most professional bodhran players at Irish sessions and folk festivals.

Warm, Focused Tone from Sheesham

The sheesham shell gives this drum a warm, focused tone with controlled overtones. Sheesham is a dense, resonant hardwood (the same tonewood used across Roosebeck's instrument line) and it contributes noticeably to the bodhran's voice. The natural goatskin head responds dynamically, from thundering bass tones to crisp rim shots.

Sheesham vs. mulberry: Both are excellent bodhran shell woods. Sheesham tends to produce a more focused, articulate voice with slightly controlled overtones. Mulberry leans toward warmer sustain. Many players end up owning both.

Quick, Reliable T-Bar Tuning

The inside T-bar tuning system provides quick, reliable tension adjustment. This is essential for live playing, where temperature and humidity changes can affect head tension throughout a session. A quarter turn of the wrench brings you back to your preferred tone.

Why this matters in sessions: A two-hour session in a pub can shift the head tension significantly. Tunable bodhrans let you dial it back in without missing a beat, rather than fighting a drum that's gone soft or tight.

Professional-Size, Session-Tested

Sixteen inches is the most versatile bodhran size, great for sessions, performances, and solo playing. Full range of expression from deep, thundering bass to sharp, cutting rim shots.

Stepping up from a 14-inch? You'll notice the extra bass immediately, and the extra head surface gives you more room for advanced techniques like ornamented rhythms and tonal variations.

Technical Specifications

Size 16 inches × 3.5 inches
Shell Sheesham
Head Natural Goatskin
Tuning Inside T-Bar system
Tunable Yes

What's in the Box

Every Tunable Bodhran ships with the tool you need to keep it in tune.

T-Bar Tuning Wrench

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

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