REPLACING BODHRAN HEADS

[Stuart Joseph]

Greetings All!
I have noticed the posts lately about repairing bodhran heads and sources
for replacements.
We at Celtic Cultures have replacement goatskin heads for 18 inch (and
smaller, since the heads
can be cut down) diameter bodhrans.
They cost $20 (USD) each plus $5 shipping and handling in the US (outside US
extra).

Here is how to replace your bodhran head:

1. Cut the skin to fit over the rim with a 2 inch excess (ie 2 inches larger
than the rim).
2.Fill the bathtub, or other container that the replacement skin will fi in,
with warm water.
3. Soak the skin in the warm water for 20- 30 minutes.
4. After soaking take the skin out. CAUTION: Do not touch the main part of
the skin- handle it 	
only by the edges.
5. Place the skin gently over the rim and tack it down on 2 opposite sides,
and then on 2 other
opposite sides (like North & South, then East & West). Use any small brass
upholstery tack or
tack with a good size head. DO NOT STRETCH THE SKIN! It should just fit
comfortably on the
rim, not loose and not tight, as you tack. Put in tacks all around,
alternating sides (North, SOuth,
East, West, etc.), until they are about 1 inch apart all the way around.
6. Let this dry for at least 24 hours. DO NOT TOUCH IT OR TRY IT TO SEE IF
IT IS DRY AT
ANY TIME DURING THIS PROCESS!
7. When the drumhead is dry, try it out.

Note: Our bodhrans have 2 sets of tacks, placed diagonally: one near the
head, just below the rim
edge, and another near the edge of the skin.

The information is paraphrased from a book we sell called "How To Play Nearly
Everything,(US$10.95)." It is a book that tells you how to play, and/or
make, a number of
instruments besides bodhrans, including, bones, spoons, kazoo, washtub bass,
washboard, jug,
jew's harp, jug, and musical saw. My favorite is learning to play the Nose
Flute (you can make one
if you're a sheet metal smith or you can get a plastic one from us).

Good Luck!

P.S. If you are looking for a back-up bodhran, or an inexpensive bodhran,
our plain bodhrans are
$50. We also have them available painted. Check out our web  pages for more
information and
pictures- or e-mail us.
_________________________________________________________________
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL!
Stuart Joseph                       Celtic Cultures
RR 2 Box 164 Houghton Brook Road,    Putney, VT 05346 U.S.A.
(802) 387-KILT (5458)               e-mail: celtic at sover.net
World Wide Web:                     http://www.sover.net/~celtic/