Thanks, Bruce. No cross pieces. It's pretty light weight, about 1- 5/8" in section, and made of pine. I was thinking of rawhide in the generic sense, meaning cured, not tanned hide. I think I will use goat, thanks for the second opinion.

Thnaks, McG. I'll try to sneak a corner block in. p.j. plays the bodhran very well, and I think she prefers it to the adufe. As you say, the technique is quite different.

Thanks, gents. Anyone else?

D