Bodhrans using cow skin - feedback pleas

Subject: Bodhrans using cow skin - feedback pleas
From: GUEST,Peter Sumner
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 02:18 PM

I'm looking for feedback from the Mudcat world...
I've been making tunable bodhrans for three years or so...mostly goat skin from Mali..have experimented with double skins with good results and the occasional deer skin with equally good results.
Have tried cow a couple of times and have been amazed by the tone and musicality of the skin...
Does anyone out there know why cow skin is not used more?

Any feedback would be appreciated...

Many thanks
Peter Sumner
Los Altos
California

Subject: RE: Bodhrans using cow skin - feedback pleas
From: Noreen
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 02:51 PM

I've not thought of it before- traditionally goatskin has been used. Probably availability was the important thing.

From the Ceolas site:
bodhráns were traditionally made with goatskin, sheepskin, and greyhound skin
and:
I have heard of modern drummakers using skins from donkeys, reindeer, calf, elk, deer, and buffalo...

Subject: RE: Bodhrans using cow skin - feedback pleas
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 03:03 PM

I would imagine quality CowHide was a bit too good for mere bodhrans -
Get more mone selling it to 'prpoer' leather workers !!

They dont use CowHide for banjos either !!

Subject: RE: Bodhrans using cow skin - feedback pleas
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 04:30 PM

Leadfingers probably has it... a good cowhide is far too valuable to waste on an instrument, being used for a multitude of things since time immoral; saddles, harness, shoes and boots, bellows, books (vellum), hinges, helmets, armour and weaponry.... the list is huge.

These days, with modern materials we can afford to "waste" cowhide on instruments.

LTS

Subject: RE: Bodhrans using cow skin - feedback pleas
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 06:06 PM

My first bodhran was a kit from Hobgoblin and used a 'calf' skin which was cheaper and considered poorer quality than goat...it was certainly coarser and had a large thin spot, but I still reckon it was better than the one I use now. Sold It when I was broke!

Subject: RE: Bodhrans using cow skin - feedback pleas
From: Peace
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 07:08 PM

It would certainly make the bodren/boudrhen/burdran/ drum look stylish.

Subject: RE: Bodhrans using cow skin - feedback pleas
From: Peace
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 07:11 PM

Info here on its history.