Cases
Cases are either softsided or of a hardshell type suitable for airline travel.
Softsided cases generally are divided into two categories.
Types
- Unpadded - which consist of only one layer of fabric, quite often a ripstop nylon, that offer little protection for your drum, and do little more than put handles on it to make it easier to carry. Tippers usually have to ride inside the case, inside the drum.
- Padded - which offer padding to surround your drum, but still leaves the skin susceptible to damage through the case. These will usually come equipped with an exterior zippered compartment for your tippers. When putting your drum inside this type of case, it's a good idea to keep the drumskin on the side away from the tipper pocket.
Vendors
- Cape Breton Bodhrans...have a decent case". (Thanks to Kirk Fisher)
Blue Heron Cases - The website shows no pictures, but lists prices (after adding shipping) in the $110 to 130 range, depending on the size of your bodhrán.
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"I've had cases from Brendan White, Colorado Case, Cape Breton Bodhrans and a few others. None of them had all the features that were (to me) ideal. Until Albert Alfonso recommended Blue Heron.
By far the best one I've seen. No exposed seams, absolutely smooth ripstop interior, ½-inch padding, Cordura exterior, heavy-duty zipper. The handle doesn't interfere with opening the case, the case opens at the edge, not the middle, it has D-rings for a strap and a D-ring to hang on a hook. The handle is leather-wrapped. And the storage pocket is sewn on to the outside, not just a zippered compartment, so I can store and find my stuff much easier.
I was playing around with case designs, borrowing ideas from all the other cases I've tried. Blue Heron's had them all, and they're less than other custom cases." (Thanks to Kirk Fisher for his comments and the photograph of his case, 5/2001)
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Hardshell cases
Vendors
Ray Doherty, Ireland. Website, RayDoherty@eircom.net, Phone: +353 1 8377191
- If Derek Bell of the Chieftains could trust his harp to Ray's work, odds are good your bodhrán will be safe in one his cases too!
Erle Bartlett, Austrailia. Email.
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(Click these images for a better view.)
Erle doesn't have a website, but we're told if you email. him he's very accomodating, and he's the only vendor we know of that sells both hardshell cases and stands (see below) for your bodhrán. |
We also have instructions for you to make your own case from cardboard and fiberglass.
Stands
A bodhrán stand is offered by Mance Grady. It disassembles for ease of carrying, but appears that it could only be recommended for drums with at least one cross brace. More info and pictures. Thanks Jenny
All One Tribe has a stand that hangs on a wall, and even though it has a very "Native American look" to it, we suppose you could hang your bodhrán on it too.
Erle Bartlett, Austrailia. Email.
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(Click these images for a better view.)
Erle doesn't have a website, but we're told if you email. him he's very accomodating, and he's the only vendor we know of that sells both hardshell cases (see above) and stands for your bodhrán. |
If you know any other makers of bodhrán stands, please let us know.
Tippers
The tipper is to a bodhrán, what the bow is to a fiddle! The best, most expensive bodhrán in the world will not make you a bodhrán player, or help you achieve a higher level of accomplishment, if you are not comfortable with your tipper. There are a wide variety of tippers available from many different vendors. Many drummakers also make tippers, but there are also craftsmen who specialize in only tippers. We encourage you to try as many tippers as you can until you find the one that is exactly right for you.
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