Paraic McNeela 16" Bodhran - Professional Irish Drum & Bag

First of all, it's not what I thought I had ordered, which was supposed to be a tunable version of this drum. Second - and much worse - it has been impossible dealing with and returning item to 1to1 Music in Belfast since they're in the UK, do not have a return policy to speak of, and it costs over $100 to ship a $150 item back to them - with no credit for the return shipping. If I had purchased directly from the manufacturer, McNeela in Dublin, he would have honored the mistake free of charge, but most likely not made it in the first place. Unfortunately I can't afford to return it, so I'm stuck with it. Buyer Beware.As for the quality of the drum, it's worth maybe half of what it costs, and is anything but 'professional'. It sounds wimpy and doesn't even qualify as advertised - 'a session drum'. The head is hardly bendable to create tonal playing and it sounds muddy when you do exert even the mildest hand pressure on the skin head. In my opinion, the head taping is the culprit. I fail to see what is so wonderful about this concept; why play any instrument if it's not intended to be heard. This 'creation' should be advertised as strictly for beginners whose parents and fellow musicians have no desire whatsoever to hear them play, let alone have them learn to play properly. In my opinion, why bother. Once again, Buyer Beware!!

Sounds and feels amazing! This is just the quality that you would expect from Paraic McNeela! Packaged very carefully and arrived amazingly fast!

Problem with inventory. They handled it with upgrade offer or wait till my drum came in. They shipped upgrade with extras because of this. The drum looks and sounds great. Communication was good, as was customer service.

Well packed. Might my expections exactly