Blackwell Original Drums

As a drummer for folk bands, ceilidh bands and Morris sides, I was often frustrated that my traditional bodhráns were losing tune according to the weather. Being an engineer, I set out to find a solution and Blackwell Original Drums (BOD) was born.

We created the BODdrum, our first product, in the form of a traditional bodhrán but with a metal shell and synthetic drum skin, which holds its tune in the best and worst of English weather, indoors and out.

But more importantly, we found we had created a new sound for the bodhrán – bright, loud and full of attack, expanding the repertoire of voices and moods for the bodhrán player.

Renowned drummer Cormac Byrne was so intrigued and enthusiastic we collaborated to create a model adjusted to his own preferences for build, finish, skin, and essential accessories, which Cormac calls the “Talking Bodhrán”.

For Cormac, as for many other professional and amateur players, BODdrums now sit alongside their traditional wooden bodhráns in their instrumental line up, opening up new sound worlds from the essentially familiar format of the bodhrán.

We now produce a range of bodhráns including the Talking Bodhrán, and are developing new beaters and percussion instruments.

We sell BODdrums, the Talking Bodhrán and a range of beaters and accessories here on line, at music festivals, and from our workshop in Cambridgeshire.  We are always delighted to meet up and let you try our drums before buying, so you can hear for yourself their fabulous range and explore the musical possibilities.