I've had & played various & sundry bodhrans over the years to include those Pakistani (wonderful country & people to be sure) objects de arte suitable for wall hangings of the underprivileged art starved psuedo intellectuals. Get as good a tunable one as you can afford (tuning ring on inside-NOT those cheap screws on the outside of the rim!!) However, I must say that I feel as though I never played a bodhran before in my life till I got my 14" from Albert Alphonso. Therefore, go to all the sessions you can, ask to play everyone's bodhran, try every style of tipper you can find till you find the right one for you. Good luck! (And yes, Amergin & Midchuck,I play several "real" musical instruments, too.)