• Background •

Mance Grady is one of the earliest bodhran makers in North America whose drums are well known for their trademark superior workmanship and tonality.

Mance began making bodhráns soon after he starting playing them in 1975 because he could not find any instruments he felt were suitable to his strict requirements.

Why was he so discriminating? Because Mance knew what to look for due to his background as a percussionist and his own regard for attention to detail. His roots in percussion had begun over a decade prior to taking up the bodhrán while under the tutelage of Mr. Walter Tokarczyk of the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Indeed, Mance did not begin making bodhráns with the intent to sell to other players. Rather, it was his inspiration to others as a player that typically had people seeking him out after performances in their quest to get one of his drums for themselves.

Mance's bodhráns could be found all over the world even before the advent of the internet. And he couldn't be happier. Having the dual role of player/maker has continued to help Mance fulfill his wish of spreading the beauty of the bodhrán to the world.

Thanks to modern technology and the internet, Mance is now accessible to those of you out there who appreciate quality instruments and excellent service. He can be reached at Mance@Mance.com

or see his bodhráns and accessories at his online shop at www.AceBodhrans.com