Model	Image	Description
EF1		"Hot Rod", single-tip. Classic design of graduated beech dowels, glued at grip. Sliding rubber rings to adjust firmness. Comfortable rubber grip. 28g (10 oz.); 24cm (9.4")
EF2		3mm thick beech dowels, glued at grip. This design even gives triplets a jazzy kick. Sliding rubber rings to adjust firmness. Comfortable rubber grip. 17g (0.6 oz.); 23cm (9.1")
EF3		"Hot Bamboo" Special "hot rod" made of bamboo dowels. Bamboo is highly resistant to friction and has a slightly firmer attack than maple or beech. This tipper has an asymmetrical (excentric) design, with a soft rubber grip and sliding rubber rings at both ends to adjust the firmness. The individual dowels in the bundle are glued at the grip to prevent single dowels slipping. The player can adjust the angle at which the specially ground tips hit the drum skin, to vary the type of sound produced. 28g (1 oz.); 25cm (9.8")
EF4		Ergonomic Wooden Grip 33g (1.2 oz.); 25cm (9.8")
EF5		Ergonomic Wooden Grip 31g (1.1 oz.); 25cm (9.8")
EF6		A specially edited soft brush with rubber grip for soft bass line playing. 44g (1.6 oz.); 21.5cm (8.5")
EF7		7 Thick Dowels strapped together with a nice rubber grip. Complete with rubber o-rings to adjust stiffness. Influenced by Ralf Siepmann's "Power-Rod" tipper (Also made by Mr. Siepmann himself). Recommended especially for use with any of Christian's DragonSkin bodhráns - the extra attact these tippers give help with the high tones without sacrificing the thick/warm tone of the DragonSkin. 28g (1 oz.); 24cm (9.4")
EF8		Long & slender hot-rod style tipper made/designed by Cillian Healy, a young bodhrán player/tipper maker from Dublin. The rods are arranged in a triangular pattern which is very comfortable to grip. While appropriate for Kerry style playing, it also makes a great top-end style tipper as well due to its length and balance. 20g (0.7 oz.); 21.5cm (8.5")
EF9		Double-sided beech hotrod, long and slender style. This special tipper was designed by Cillian Healy, a young bodhrán player and motivated tipper maker from Dublin. To pay the inventor respect, these tippers are made by Cillian himself in Ireland. The basic shape of this rod is a triangle, so it rests perfectly between three fingers. This rod is similar to the EF8, but has only 6 beech dowels (thicker) which gives a harder attack and a slightly louder sound. Because of its special configuration, it is better for top-end style playing (single-ended). Glued at grip, adjustable fimness. 16g (0.56 oz.); 25cm (9.8")
EF11		Same as EF7, just longer and even more powerful! A very common and popular universal tipper. 30g (1 oz.); 26.5cm (10.4")

About Art Bodhrán

Art Bodhrán began in the year 2000 when bodhrán player and master carpenter Christian Hedwitschak, unhappy with his own bodhrán and having a hard time finding a better one, took matters into his own hands and tried making one himself.

I still feel sorry for the poor old goat that sacrificed its skin for my first attempt. If it had seen what I made out of its skin, it would have turned in its grave!

Christian Hedwitschak

Fortunately, that “poor old goat” didn’t die in vain! Christian, with a passion for finding the best skins and experience as a master carpenter, continued in his efforts to build the best bodhráns the world had yet seen and heard.

2005 marked the unveiling of Christian’s now highly coveted DRAGONSkin, Art Bodhrán’s premium goatskin, and a thumbscrew tuning system that makes tuning all Art Bodhráns quick and easy.

I’ve been playing bodhráns now for over 35 years but these are the best and most professional bodhráns I have ever seen and played. The DRAGONSkin is gorgeous!

Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh

DRAGONSkin is made from Art Bodhrán’s top-of-the-line goatskin, but goes through an additional step of skin treatment that renders the skin extra soft, smooth and supple. Developed by Christian in response to the requirements of the growing number of “multi-octave” and “top-end” style bodhrán players, DRAGONSkin affords the modern bodhrán player with a skin that is capable of sub-bass lows, bouncy middles, ear-popping highs, and all points in between.

Christian, in his ongoing pursuit to supply both professionals and amateurs alike with the finest bodhráns at any price, continues to expand his range of bodhráns and accessories. From the LightLine series of bodhráns, which offer pro level features at entry level prices, to an extensive selection of lathe-turned tippers, Art Bodhrán has something for everyone.

In addition to many happy amateurs, Christian’s bodhráns are played by some of the world’s best bodhránii — Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh, John Joe Kelly, Junior Davey, Jim Higgins, Eamon Murray, Siobhán Ó Donnel, Kieran Munelly, Stiofán Ó Broin, Rolf Wagels, Guido Plüschke, and Lucy Randall, just to name a few.

The bodhrán has become the focus and mainstay of my life. So it makes me all the happier that my hard work is paying off, and that so many professional musicians all over the world are playing my instruments and recommending them to others.

Christian Hedwitschak

Art Bodhrán Ingredients

Quality Goatskins

Christian hand-selects goatskins to exacting standards, ensuring that all Art Bodhráns sound as good as they look. They are then processed by hand using traditional, environmentally conscious methods that not only benefit the skins but the earth as well.

Both High End and LightLine models come standard taped around the rim. This helps to suppress unwanted overtones and focus the tone. High End models come with an additional special leather dampening strip between the skin and rim that helps to define and refine the tone further.

Quality Solid Wood Frames

Three layers of 3mm-thick solid beech, bonded together by a special polyurethane adhesive paste, are used to form the core Art Bodhrán frame. Christian’s High End models are then finished in a variety of gorgeous veneers, inlays and finishes, while the LightLine models are left au natural, plain beech with a clear carnauba wax finish.

Quality Thumbscrew Tuning Mechanism

All Art Bodhráns now come standard with thumbscrew tuners. This makes tuning the bodhrán fast and easy, as you no longer have to go searching for your tuning wrench! Natural goatskins will tighten and loosen depending on the surrounding temperature and relative humidity. Even the warmth of your hand will cause the skin to tighten slightly over time, causing the pitch of the drum to rise, so having a tuning system like this is key.

Our Commitment to Art Bodhrán

In the winter of 2003, while on holiday in Ireland, we (Blayne & Deb, W&D’s owners) came across some of Christian’s bodhráns in a small music shop. Being duly impressed, Blayne asked the shopkeeper who made them, but he was a new employee and didn’t know. Intrigued, Blayne decided that he would do a bit of research upon returning home to find out who made those lovely bodhráns.

"Heddys" waiting to be shipped to
Whistle & Drum!

A day or so after returning home, Blayne sat down to catch up on email. Much to his excitement, there was a note from Christian introducing himself and his bodhráns! Coincidence? We like to think not!

Needless to say, it wasn’t long thereafter that we began stocking Art Bodhrán. A short time later Christian agreed to have us exclusively represent Art Bodhrán in the US.

We now like to think of ourselves as Art Bodhrán’s US headquarters. As such, we are committed to carrying Christian’s entire line of bodhráns and accessories. If there is an item of Christian’s that you don’t see on our site, please contact us. We are happy to help!

Long live Art Bodhrán!

Blayne & Deborah Chastain

Whistle & Drum — Art Bodhrán’s US Headquarters!