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 Rosewood
The rosewood shell gives this drum a warm, focused tone with controlled overtones. Rosewood 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.
Rosewood vs. mulberry: Both are excellent bodhran shell woods. Rosewood 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
Rosewood
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.
