Roosebeck Tipper, Rattan

It's barely held together, the heat shrink was not all the way tight and I had to add my own electrical tape to hold it together in several places...

This is not the Roosebeck tipper picture. Poorly made and shipped without padding. Cracked ends and lengthwise crack in skewers . Uneven rough ends - not symmetrical .Sadly disappointing and returning.

I am a beginning bodhran player. The tipper that came with my bodhran was made of wood, very heavy with big “bulbs” on the end. It hurt my hand and wrist to play with it and slowed my rythym. I noticed on the YouTube tutorial videos I am watching that many of the professional players use rattan tippers. Saw this one on Amazon and thought I would give it a try. I love it! It is light weight and has increased my speed of playing substantially. As other reviewers have said, it’s a good idea to put a little wood glue on the tip that strikes the drum to secure the wooden rattan “straws” and keep them from slipping or rotating. I did that and it not only stopped the straws from moving or rotating, it also smoothed their rough edges as well, preventing a slight scraping sound on the drum. I also added another rubber band just below the narrow band near the tip to secure the rattan straws. Easy fixes, really. Because I had to do a little work on it, I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. But I really like this tipper and at this price I can’t complain!

Not thrilled with the packaging, since it came in a padded envelope; I thought there should have been either a dowel rod taped to it, or cardboard tube around it to protect it more from bending or breaking in transit, but mine made it through my mailbox pretty well (envelope was bent just above the end of the tipper -- thankfully no breakage at the end.The tipper itself is pretty good, it's an effect. Not quite a brush sound on a bodhran, but...I found one of the bamboo skewers (yeah, it's made out of bamboo skewers!) had NOT been cut or sanded to match the others, and the skewers are NOT glued together under the wrap tape...they can be moved around, which then moves the cut and sanded sides out of alignment, but it can be twisted and re-aligned.Here's the bottom line... if you're lazy, go ahead and get it...just find the best deal so you don't pay more than the price of the tipper in shipping!!!If you're not, or are very crafty you can DIY as bamboo skewers are available at Dollar Tree or dollar deals, etc... for ...well, if you have to ask....a dollar plus local tax. (there's about 25 in a package). Add glue, sandpaper and either grip tape or string if you're really crafty, and about an hour of work...I'm not -- I did make my own, but I went ahead and bought one as well...and I use it....If you want an inexpensive, non boutique brush tipper, that you don't have to make yourself, this is it.

As others have stated, the item I received is not what is pictured and is significantly lower quality than expected.

Other tippers I’ve purchased are a much heavier weight, this one is light and produces a more gentle sound (as would be expected). Occasionally the sticks will slip out of place, but they can be slid back into place effortlessly

To be fair about this review, it is extremely difficult to find a “Scott Rod” Bodhrán tipper. Even international sellers are difficult to find one that has what you need. This one does the job OK, but not exactly what I need. Be careful, edges are a little sharp right out of the box. I would highly recommending sanding it down prior to use. It could scratch your head.

Good tipper for bodhran