I’m trying to make tenor and bari reeds, but am not having much luck getting them anywhere near close to in tune. I’m not too concerned with them having great tone, but am merely looking for something stable to practice with that won’t take too much adjusting from day to day. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.
On my 3/4 set I have not plastic, but bronze, and they are absolutely stable.
I guess I could try bronze, but plastic would be easier to come by and work with, I’d assume.
Here’s a fun experiment. I went into the shop one day to find Michael Hubbert making a tenor regulator reed out of aluminum blinds. Think about it, the stuff already has an established curvature and is quite thin. The reed worked perfectly ACCEPT for the low two notes which had the tendency to squeak at an intolerable frequency. Worth a try nevertheless.
The plastic ones are usually made from a particular type of yoghurt container.
I have played metal ones, from coke tins, in a Taylor set that were as steady as anything but didn’t alter pitch in line with the cane chanter reed when it warmed up so you’re not out of the woods yet with them.
bronze regulator reeds? And what does it sound like?
Anyone ever tryed to make bronze chanter reed, i wander?=)
(sorry for nubish question))
I had some bronze reg reeds made by my pipemaker. It took forever to get them to work, but once they were working they sounded just as good as cane reg reeds. And then one day they stopped working for no apparent reason. Couldn’t get them working again. I haven’t gone back to them. Too much bother.
I have some examples of plastic reeds. They all sound strange, not nearly as good as cane. Stability or ease of making a reed does not replace the importance of good timbre, IMHO.
djm
Stability or ease of making a reed does not replace the importance of good timbre, IMHO.
Agreed, but I figure I’m not going to be performing with them for many years and just getting some practice time without constantly having to futz with the reeds all the time would be more beneficial at the moment. I spend enough time adjusting my chanter reeds as it is. Am I really alone in this line of thinking?
I don’t know, it depends on your situation. personally I adjust my reg reeds maybe once or twice a year as the seasons change and use the pins for re-tuning as I go.
I also very rarely touch the chanter reed.
I wonder if Mid East has any luck with thier plastic regulator reed 
David
Here the weather can go from tropical to subzero and back within a few hours and often does. Cane hates my area.
My bronze reg reeds came new with my set. I havent touched them in 7 years and they’re working fine & sounding good too. In fact, they’re probably the one ingredient that has required the least adjustment over the years.
Agree with you totally about plastic double reeds in UP’s, though…too buzzy..
I have bronze reg reeds in my Gallagher set. Works as a charm…
Rob
Ok, does anyone have any info on making bronze reeds?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?..
As I recall, David Quinn had posted something about his method for them, but darned if I can remember now off the top of my head where I saw it.
djm
Hi Deej
Try An Piobaire.
Vol. 4. no. 7 Deire Fómhair 2000: page 16-18, “A technical column: reedmaking for idiots!” Rolf Knüsel describes in detail how to make plastic drone reeds, staple manufacture & plastic regulator reeds
David
I think it was in the Piper’s Review several years ago. Gotta dig through the archives, I guess. Hey, Davy! Thanks!
There’s a detailed article on this subject written by David Quinn in the Summer 2000 edition of The Pipers’ Review, the newsletter of the Seattle Irish Pipers’ Club.
Online access available here for paid-up members.
Hi
My cane reeds in the drones have warped tongues. Don’t know how to fix that. Does anyone on here know how.?
SO
I am going to use these plans to make a new set of drone reeds.. Everything can be bought at a hobbie shop that caters to model trains. Hope this might be of some help.
http://www.songsea.com/syndronestopvalveplans.html#dronereedplan
Johnnie