I’ve seen the postings about Alan Burton’s reeds being excellent. I listened to a recording of his band that had been posted and was impressed by the sound.
I’d like to know if his reeds play best in narrow or wide bore chanters and wether he has put the design or dimentions out on the web. If Alan or anyone else can let me know a bit about the reed design, please do so - I’d love to try the design in my chanter * I play an Ian Mackenzie (Simack) chanter - (a wide bore D)*
Goldy.
Hello Goldy,
I believe Alan makes reeds to suit the chanter he is reeding at the time. Alan had mentioned that he plays/prefers concert pitch pipes, but that didn’t stop him from making several excellent reeds for my Peter Hunter narrow-bore B chanter.
I’d suggest sending him your chanter to reed; you won’t be disappointed.
-No E
Goldy,
I haven’t put any dimensions out on the web, not for any “black art” reason I assure you, lack of enthusiasm probably. I am more at home with Concert “wide” bores, but don’t feel at a loss with flats/narrows either. As for design, I use the most critical part of design as taught to me by Cillian O’Briain, with a little bit of Pete Hunter and Dave Williams and of course some zen attitudes from Dave Hegarty 
If you want more in depth info, just mail me. I’m still trying to get me to make myself a reed at the mo’, and there are others who will testify that I’m a bit slow of the mark at the mo’. Had a bad summer, I have…
Alan
Why so sluggish, Alan? Your picture looks like you’re playing with an extra noisy rock band, Mudhoney or the like; is that it?
Sluggish! I wish. How about an inordinate amount of bad luck? Think Mudhoney but better!!
Alan
I’ve never played a better reed than Alan’s. I’m still in reed heaven, even on relatively dry hot days. I’ll be playing my pipes for a couple of hours tomorrow night (Friday) for Whitman College’s opening weekend…a Coffee House. Should be a fun, and smart (ass) crowd. 
From the website of Alan’s band Fianna:
Alan Burton - uilleann pipes: Born in West Penwith, Cornwall, came to the pipes at the age of 21. His background was very different, however, having played in Punk bands in the 70’s and worked his way through psychedelic and funk music into the 80’s.
All right! Were you in Disturbed, Amazing Space Frogs, Hawkwind, what?
