Detail 01
18 in. diameter
A common session size. Deep enough for real low end, still small enough to control with your hand inside the shell.
Product detailSKU #1274115063301
MEINLBodhran Frame Drum 18 in.
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
An 18-inch bodhran for Irish traditional players and percussionists wanting a hand-held frame drum with a deep, tunable low voice.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Irish and Celtic session playing with a tipper
- Folk and acoustic groups needing low end without a kit
- Percussionists adding a seated frame drum to a setup
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players wanting a bright, tight sound from a smaller frame
- Anyone needing a drum that holds pitch in changing humidity
- Standing performers — this is played seated on the knee
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Natural head
Skin responds to humidity and temperature, so tone and tension shift between a cold van and a warm room.
Detail 03
Frame drum construction
Your inside hand presses the head to bend pitch and damp. That hand does as much of the playing as the tipper.
Detail 04
Open back
Nothing muffles the shell, so the drum projects and you hear pitch changes from your hand clearly.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01You play this seated, resting the rim on your thigh
- 02A tipper is essential — the drum is not played with sticks or hands alone
- 03Skin heads dry out; let the drum acclimate before a gig and avoid direct heat
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is 18 inches a good size to start on?
Yes. It's the standard session size — enough depth for a full low tone while staying manageable for a seated player.
02How do I change the pitch?
Press your inside hand against the back of the head. More pressure raises the pitch and tightens the tone.
03Can I play it with my hands?
You can, but the bodhran's voice comes from a tipper. Hand playing gives a softer, less articulate sound.
04How do I care for the head?
Keep it out of direct heat and dry air. A slack head in damp weather usually tightens once the drum warms up.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Natural
