Oiling a bodhran head
Matthew Billmers
tight, and I've finally gotten tired of just wetting it down (sometimes a
lot) every time I play...especially since it dries out quickly and I have
to continue to wet it frequently while I play.
So I want to actually oil the drum head, but I'm a little nervous about
doing this for the first time.
A previous thread on this newsgroup suggested neatsfoot oil would work. I
went down into my basement and dug out the "Neatsfoot Compound" that I had
once used for oiling a baseball glove. It clearly says that it's for
softening and waterproofing leather. Now, I assume I don't really want to
waterproof the back of my drumhead. Is this the stuff I want? If not,
what exactly should I be looking for?
Also, am I correct in assuming the oil goes on the back of the skin (not
the side you play)? Can anybody give me some suggestions about applying
it? Would an oil-soaked rag be best? Are there any tricks to knowing when
you've applied enough oil?
Thanks,
Matt
--
Matthew Billmers
"I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way."
-Frodo son of Drogo
mittle
> I got a Buck non-tunable bodhran about six months ago. The head is a bit
> tight, and I've finally gotten tired of just wetting it down (sometimes a
> lot) every time I play...especially since it dries out quickly and I have
> to continue to wet it frequently while I play.
>
I've collected some advice on the subject at
http://www.ceolas.org/instruments/bodhran/care.html. If you can ask the
artisan who made your drum, I recommend you do so.
However, my advice is not to oil it. Keep a wet rag or a mister in your
drum bag so that you can quickly dampen the skin.
===========================================================================
Josh Mittleman mit...@panix.com
Adrian Harman
mittle <mit...@panix.com> wrote in message
news:7j1c4r$qob$1...@panix5.panix.com...
Bodhran which I oil regularly on the FRONT with Neatsfoot oil which keeps it
supple , but if it's just too tight water on the back will loosen it
temporarily.
Regards Adrian Harman
paul
Tried concentrated nitric acid?
(sorry that's just the reflex dig at bodhran players)
Tom McCuin
occasionally put mink oil around the rim, where the skin folds over, and rub
beeswax on the inside of the head. I got the beeswax from Malachy Kearns of
Roundstone, Co. Galway, also a fine bodhran maker.
Regardless, none of this will prevent you from having to replace the head after a
few years of regular use.
Best of Luck,
Tom McCuin
Charlie Scutt
>
> > Adrian Harman wrote:
> > > > > I got a Buck non-tunable bodhran about six months ago.
In article <375C92F2...@PineAds.com>, Tom McCuin
<McC...@PineAds.com> wrote:
> I also have a Buck, which I have beaten to death with my Celtic Rock group.
I have only ever seen bodhrans beaten with either a small stick or the
bare hand. I must catch one of your gigs sometime.
Charlie