Alison & Alan are right when they say the climate where you live effects the tightness of the skin. I make Bodhrans here in Hobart Tasmania and the tension needs to be different compared to the ones I have brought from other parts of Australia. The way around the problem is to make a tunable one , where you can adjust the tension of the skin according to the conditions. If that can't be done it is just a case of trial and error to get the initial tention right. It's amazing just how much a wet skin will shrink during the drying process. It can be up to a third of its size depending on the individual skin.

As far as preparing the skin, I know what you mean John when you talk about the smell and the mess and don't forget the amount of nasty bacteria it creates. I don't bother now I just buy prepared skins and enjoy the rest of the making. The mass produced Bodhrans normally have a much thinner skin on them which adds to the tightening process much more in hot conditions. In my experience a slightly thicker skin give a better result in sound. But as with every thing it's a personal choice and there would be many people that would disagree with this opinion.

John If you require more info in relation to making you Bodhran you can conntact me at the following address

grubbco@netspace.net.au

regards Pete