X Marks the Scot - An on-line community of kilt wearers.

   X Marks Partners - (Go to the Partners Dedicated Forums )
USA Kilts website Celtic Croft website Celtic Corner website Houston Kiltmakers

User Tag List

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 22

Thread: Reed question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    2nd October 07
    Location
    Denver, Colorado- a mile high, baby!
    Posts
    6,147
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Reed question

    What are the thoughts of the experienced pipers here on types of reeds? Are synthetic reeds as good as natural ones? Which last longer? I heard that some pipers soak their reeds in scotch to preserve them. Thoughts anyone? (And yes, I know I can ask my instructor- but I have to wait until Wednsday and I'll forget half of my questions by then! Not to mention the fact that I get the whole almost instant gratification thing here. )
    "Two things are infinite- the universe, and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    8th January 08
    Location
    The Bayou City - Houston, TX
    Posts
    6,730
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Even most ol' timers have switched to synthetic drone reeds from cane. All chanter reeds, except for the practice chanters, remain the genuine article. Some pipers are true to the leather bag, including my instructor, but I've been using a GoreTex bag since the beginning.

    Synthetic drone reeds can last years. Cane reeds last about 20 minutes...er, that is stay in tune 20 minutes, if that long. I don't know how long they last as I have never used them. (Some exaggeration utilized)

    My instructor DOES recommend dipping (not soaking) a new chanter reed in scotch to help break it in. Whether it works or not; hasn't hoit.
    Last edited by Jack Daw; 23rd August 08 at 04:24 PM.

  3. #3
    JS Sanders's Avatar
    JS Sanders is offline Oops, it seems this member needs to update their email address
    Join Date
    23rd January 08
    Location
    Memphis
    Posts
    691
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Designs in synthetic drone reeds have made tremendous gains the past decade. I remember the initial ones....

    Synthetic drone reeds are far more stable, permitting longer playing times. Perhaps the best overall feature is that they are low maintenance compared to cane. Cane drone reeds can make a clergyman swear - loudly.

    But even the best synthetics aren't quite what cane is. To my ear, cane drone reeds are just plain 'warmer' and seem to accentuate & blend with the chanter just a little bit more.

    I can hear the difference probably because I started with cane and had no choice but to learn how to live with it, until better synthetics arrived on the scene.

    With the functional moisture control systems in pipebags, more pipers are returning to cane because condensation isn't the bear it was. Then again, now you gotta jiggle & adjust the moisture collector.

    Slainte,
    steve

  4. #4
    Join Date
    13th December 07
    Location
    Gold Bar, Wa.
    Posts
    90
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    reeds

    I can attest that Cane drone reeds do in fact sound "better", but unless you play them everyday for 20 minutes, they will give you ulcers!

    There are different degrees of synthetic drone reeds, vibrant, full, harmonic and so on. Some synthetic drone reeds sound better on some pipes and different on others. It's one of those "trial by error" kinda things. Cannings sound very nice in my Hardies (as they did on my P3 Dunbars), but the EZee's had a higher "fiddle-with" factor than the Cannings.

    Anytime I start on a new chanter reed I do a few things first: Blow it first to see how hard or easy it will be, give the sound box a good "pinch", then do a quick "dunk" in warm water to give it the initial moisture...then go from there. Evereyone has their own method concerning chanter reeds I guess. I have used my method with very good success....so far.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    24th August 05
    Location
    TUSCON AZ south of PHENIX :)
    Posts
    672
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I was always told the scotch had to be "blown into the bag" so you have to drink the scotch first and the reed gets it "second hand "
    Irish diplomacy: is telling a man to go to he)) in such a way that he looks forward to the trip!

  6. #6
    JS Sanders's Avatar
    JS Sanders is offline Oops, it seems this member needs to update their email address
    Join Date
    23rd January 08
    Location
    Memphis
    Posts
    691
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    << Some synthetic drone reeds sound better on some pipes and different on others. >>

    Indeed this certainly is the case. And even with poly Dunbar's there seems to be variability & reed tolerance. Or perhaps the variability is in the manufactured reeds.

    I use Balance Tone drone reeds in my Dunbar's. I tried half a dozen other synthetic drone reeds and could not achieve the quality of sound I desired. Cane wasn't even a consideration since it'd defeated the purpose of having plastic pipes.

    And if anyone cares to keep a tally, my primary pipes are MacLellan's with Kinnaird drone reeds & a Kron Medallist chanter. As MC Hammer was fond of saying, "“You can't touch this”.

    You'll know its me coming just by the drones.

    Slainte,
    steve

    Last edited by JS Sanders; 24th August 08 at 02:06 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    13th August 05
    Location
    NJ, USA
    Posts
    345
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I will agree that cane sounds better, overall. However, I've found that a good comprimise is to use a good synthetic reed in the tenors, and a cane reed in the bass. The larger reed used in the bass doesn't seem to be as finicky as the tenors. I play Omega tenors in my Kintails with a cane bass, and Henderson tenors with a cane bass in my Dunbar P-3's. When I have the time to tinker, and I'm not going to have to play for an overly long period, or in adverse conditions, then I do enjoy the sound of an all cane setup.
    All skill and effort is to no avail when an angel pees down your drones.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    13th November 07
    Location
    Tieton, WA
    Posts
    298
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I played cane drones when I first got my pipes. They came with them, so I left them in there.

    Ach, what a nightmare. When they worked, they sounded great. I was always moving bridles, inserting hairs under the tongues, soaking them and so on. but I kinda got used to them and played them for a year or so, and I always got compliments on the "rich" sound, especially with the Naill drones.

    Then I started playing with a band, and cane drone reeds were out of the question. So I started playing Ezee's and the rest, as they say, is history. I no longer play with that band, but I still play Ezee.

    Now, the cane chanter reeds, on the other hand....Ugh. Why oh why do we keep beating ourselves up on those things??!! Just because there isn't anything better.....

    They should be banned. Just like birls from B.

    T.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    13th December 07
    Location
    Gold Bar, Wa.
    Posts
    90
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    reeds

    Quote Originally Posted by JS Sanders
    my primary pipes are MacLellan's
    You lucky dog!!

    One day I shall have mine...with those nice sexy chalice drones!!



    On another note: Having a bass cane drone reed with synthetic tenors does well for many. I had them for awhile when I had my Dunbar. I occasionally switch mine on my Hardies once in awhile....

  10. #10
    Join Date
    27th October 07
    Location
    Fairbanks, AK
    Posts
    163
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Nighthawk, do you have pipes at this time? If not, your pipes, when you buy them, will come with synthetic reeds, almost certainly. Use those. There are enough hurdles to jump when you start piping without adding in the frustration of reeds that will drive you batty.

    After a year or so, spend the $20 on a set of good cane reeds. Try them out. If all goes well, you will get that sound that tells you what all the synthetics are trying to imitate. Odds are good that you will put the synthetics back into the pipes after you have tried the cane for a week or so. But it is worth messing with them a little, just to get to know the sound. If the reeds are going right, it is one of those "aha" sounds, where you understand what makes the bagpipes so magical. The world all makes sense. The music just flows out and the drones ring magically along with your chanter. The angels weep for joy and the dog stops howling.

    Or, more likely, the darned things won't stay in tune long enough to let you experience the sound properly.

    Start with what the pipe maker includes with your set, experiment later.

    -Patrick

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. A question
    By Dreadbelly in forum Miscellaneous Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 6th January 07, 10:53 PM
  2. The Question!
    By KiltedCodeWarrior in forum General Kilt Talk
    Replies: 42
    Last Post: 17th October 05, 07:43 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» Log in

User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.0