OMEGA reeds

[highlander_Daz]

for the pipers here Ive just orded a set of OMEGA drone reeds from the pipeing centre, my good friend plays with a set and theya re very good, any pipers here use them? Ill be reviewing them when they are arrive.
for non pipers they are "space age" reeds using alumininum and carbon fibre and are virtually infinatly adjustable in terms of pitch and strength, and are not afffected as much by moisture.

stand by for further news

[JerseyLawyer]

I can give you my own, brief review. They have great tone, and seem to be very reliable. The downside is they require a mechanical engineering degree to figure out and set up.

[highlander_Daz]

My frined has used them for several years and his tone is fantastic, although his pipes are vintage McDougals !!!

[Panache]

H D

I moved your thread to the new "Celtic Musicians" forum.

Cheers

Jamie

[JS Sanders]

Daz,
I'll echo what the Lawyer stated. They can be the devil's own to get configured. I never could obtain quite the tone I was seeking with a reasonable amount of air. Finally, I sold them to another piper who had nothing but good luck with them.

Also, three subtleties... learnt the hard way.

1). They're rather heavy. Take extra precautions to keep them seated securely.

2). Those cursed set screws can unscrew themselves. Fingernail varnish applied over them helps prevent that.

3). Passing thru airport security x-ray scanners, they look amazingly like rifle cartridges.

Slainte yall,
steve

[wgority]

I've used them for about 3 years in a set of Henderson patterned drones. THey've got a good robust volume and do not suck air like mad. I didn't have any issues setting them up initially - just the usual aspects of balancing them one against the other.

I'll reiterate what has been previously said regarding the weight of the reeds and seating them securely. I'd also agree on varnishing the grub screws in place.

On the up side, no playing in time!

Just take your time getting them set up. Make sure you read the instruction sheet thoroughly before you start fiddling about with them.

[Jack Daw]

I've got a set and concur with the other bag-squeezers that they have a great tone, but they took several hours to manipulate in order to get them set properly.

Thanks for the advice, Steve. I'll not ask why you have fingernail varnish otherwise. What plays in Memphis, stays in Memphis.

[JS Sanders]

<< I'll not ask why you have fingernail varnish... >>

Dude - I've been married all my life. There's always plenty of that stuff about.

Kinnairds have been my drone reeds of choice ever since.

Slainte,
steve

[PiobBear]

I'll not ask why you have fingernail varnish otherwise.

Fly tying, of course!

Had a set; never could get them set up to my satisfaction. I liked the tone and stability (and simplicity) of my Mk II Selbies better, so I sold them.

[highlander_Daz]

well they arrived today and there is massive scope for adjustment i spent an hor fiddling around, I found the bass drone was easiest to set with the washers restricting fro a clean strike, the tenors are proving to be more of a challange im putting aside a few hours later to get them right,once it becomes clear what each adjustment does its a little easier and the sound is amazing!!!

national pipeing centre orded at 3pm Tuesday arrived 1030am wednesday thats service !