Exploring the Sound of the Meinl FD14IBO Bodhran | Irish Drum Review & Demo

Welcome to Black Bridge Sound, your go-to destination for greasy home recording insights on YouTube! Today, we're diving into the traditional world of Irish music with the Meinl FD14 Bodhran.

The Bodhran, a staple in Celtic and Irish music, is a simple yet profound instrument. Crafted from a wooden drum shell with a goat skin head, it's played with a Tipper on one side while the other hand rests on the back side of the head, allowing for pitch adjustments and nuanced playing. As someone with a drum set background, exploring the Bodhran has been a fascinating journey for me, offering a unique perspective on rhythm and tone.

This Meinl Bodhran falls into the mid-range category, making it accessible without breaking the bank. We tested it with different Tippers, from solid ones to hot rod styles, each offering distinct tonal qualities. The Bodhran's sound quality and playability impressed me, especially considering its price point compared to custom-made professional-grade options.

In my research, I discovered three tiers of Bodhrans: decorative non-tunable ones, mid-range like this Meinl model, and high-end custom-made instruments. While high-end Bodhrans can be challenging to access, Meinl's international presence makes their products widely available through stores like Guitar Center and Long & McQuade.

For beginners or intermediate players seeking a dependable and travel-friendly Bodhran, this Meinl FD14 is a solid choice. It boasts a pleasing aesthetic with its beautiful wood grain and delivers a satisfying sound. Priced at $230 Canadian dollars, it strikes a balance between affordability and quality.

If you're eager to dive deeper into Bodhran playing, I recommend checking out Ruairi Glasheen's YouTube channel. He offers a wealth of playthroughs, lessons, tutorials, and historical insights into the Bodhran:

‪@bodhran‬
   / @bodhran  

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the Meinl FD14 Bodhran and any other mid-range recommendations you have. Drop your comments below, and until next time, keep it greasy at Black Bridge Sound!


All the audio recorded in our videos is recorded direct into either an M-Audio Profire 2626 or a Behringer Ultragain Pro-8 interface direct into Logic Pro X mixed using stock plugins on a Mac Pro 3,1 (2007 model) running OSX 10.11.6.

Microphones used:
Tipper side - Lewitt MTP 440 DM
Back side - AKG C214


00:00 - Intro
00:17 - Backstory of the Bodhran
00:53 - Playing Demo (Solid Tipper)
01:15 - Differences in Tippers
01:25 - Playing Demo (Hot Rod Tipper)
01:37 - Review
03:38 - Final Thoughts
04:01 - Weekly Nonsense


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