The Tineo was designed by Christian Hedwitschak exclusively for Whistle & Drum and features hand-selected exotic Tineo veneer with your choice of either DragonSkin Standard or DragonSkin Spicy drum heads (Christian's top of the line goat skins). This bodhran is for those looking for a high end drum with an exotic look and sound.

Choose the DragonSkin Standard version if you desire primarily a warm/bassy/buttery tone. DragonSkin Spicy is for those wanting a slightly brighter tone (while still keeping a solid bass tone) - nice if not using a microphone while playing in noisy environments. Either way, there's nothing like the tone of a DragonSkin.

Features:

• Hand Selected Exotic Tineo Veneers
• Diameter: 40cm or 37cm
• Depth: 14cm
• DragonSkin Standard or Spicy Goat Skin Heads
• Leather Dampening Strip
• Thumbscrew Tuning Pegs

About Art Bodhran

Art Bodhran began in the year 2000 when bodhran player and master carpenter Christian Hedwitschak, unhappy with his own Bodhran 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, together with a passion for finding the best skins and his experience as a master carpenter, continued in his efforts to build the best bodhrans the world had yet seen and heard.

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

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

Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh

DRAGONSkin is made of Art Bodhran'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 bodhran players, DRAGONSkin affords the modern bodhran 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 bodhrans at any price continues to expand his range of bodhrans and accessories. The LightLine series of bodhrans, which offer pro level features at entry level prices, range to an extensive selection of lathe turned tippers, Art Bodhran has something for everyone.

In addition to many happy amateurs, Christian's bodhrans are played by some of the world's best bodhranii. Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh, John Joe Kelly, Junior Davey, Jim Higgins, Eamon Murray, Siobhan O?Donnel, Kieran Munelly, Stiofan O?Broin, Rolf Wagels, Guido Pluschke and Lucy Randall just to name a few.

The bodhran 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 Bodhran Ingredients

Quality Goatskins

Christian hand selects goatskins to exacting standards ensuring that all Art Bodhran 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.

Art Bodhran's premium skin DRAGONSkin 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 bodhran players, DRAGONSkin affords the modern bodhran player with a skin that is capable of sub bass lows, bouncy middles, ear popping highs and all points in between.

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 Bodhran 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 naturale", plain beech with a clear carnauba wax finish.

Quality Thumbscrew Tuning Mechanism

All Art Bodhran now come standard with thumbscrew tuners. This makes tuning your bodhran fast and easy, as you don't have to go searching for your tuning wrench any more! Natural goatskins will tighten and loosen depending on the surrounding temperature and relative humidity. Even just 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 Bodhran

In the winter of 2003, while on holiday in Ireland, we (Blayne & Deb, W&D's owners) came across some of Christian's bodhrans 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 bodhrans.

"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 written by Christian introducing himself and his bodhrans! Coincidence? We like to think not!

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

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

Long live Art Bodhran!

Blayne & Deborah Chastain

Whistle & Drum – Art Bodhran's US Headquarters!