Any bodhran players?

Want to get a bodhran. Having a hard time sifting fact from crap via reviews on places like amazon. Was wondering if anyone here plays the bodhran and if so, if they have any suggestions on a good beginner one which can last into intermediate skill level.

Haven't had a chance to see any in person (apparently COS isn't a good source for celtic instruments)

Have looked at the Remo synthetic head, but wasn't impressed with the sound on the few youtube videos I found. Perhaps they weren't indicative due to recording quality. Main concern with goat/calf skin is the dryness of Colorado.

Budget is flexible, so long as it's not a pro level instrument.

You will want synthetic on a beginner instrument in Colorado with our variables... unless you plan on baby-ing the crap out of it with natural skins. For this type of instrument, unless you're advanced enough to drop the money on a pro-level bodhran, almost anything will do to learn. Anyways, get in touch with the Pikes Peak Highlanders and they'll put you in touch with someone to answer your questions in depth.

Also, don't use Amazon for instruments... they sale (always exceptions) mostly ISO's (Instrument shaped objects). I am a fan of Steve Weiss Music Co and he has a great bodhran for a decent price: http://www.steveweissmusic.com/produ...sh-bodhran-14/

Here's teh contact for PPH: http://www.pikespeakhighlanders.com/contact/

Drove up to Kolacny's in Denver today and tested out the Remo synthetic tuneable 16". Much better sound in person than on someone's crappy computer mic. Dave Kolacny cut me a great deal on the bodhran and several different tippers (the drum stick).

I'll get a subscription to Blayne Chastain's (out of Greeley) online course.

FWIW, Kolacny's is great for instrument purchase and repair. My wife worked there in the harp room. She's known Dave since she was 7. Great family store with a good repair shop, rental program, etc.

Bodhran is now on the wall w/ the guitars and ukes.

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The Renaissance Festival is going on right now. I saw a chick playing on that was the best I ever saw...Plus you get to look at wenches

Have been messing with this more. I didn't quite like the sound I was getting out of it and the head felt like it was "grabbing" the tipper more than I'd liked. Decided to tune it tighter to see what would happen and voila. Not sure why I didn't think to tune it higher before.

The boys really like hitting it, but I have to watch them since they seem to think that a stabbing motion is acceptable.