I have been playing drumset with an Irish folk singer recently. He hasn't asked me to play anything else yet but I wanted to start to put consistent time in on a bodhran. It could turn into some work.

I've had a 'tourist' bodhran for a couople of years but the head split. It was no great loss as it never sounded like a pro bodhran at all. I have spent time practicing on it but never got it to the level I needed to. However, making some dough - as well as the fact that I'm 100% Irish American - is prodding me to move forward a bit.

I'm looking to buy a bodhran but don't feel ready to throw out $300-500 on a top of the line instrument. I'd like to find a tuneable model that gets good sounds. Think the equivalent of an Acrolite snare. Good, pro sounding - but not a Black Beauty.

I've done searches and it seems like all I come up with is either amateur/decorative/tourist models or high priced hand made drums. Either $50-$80 or $350 - $500.

I did see the LP Bodhran ('World' something.....) for under $100 but a pro percusssionist friend who used to endorse LP said that he did not have much faith that it would sound good.

Anybody have some input? I'm looking for a full bodied sounding drum that's tuneable.

TIA

Jim