Bombarde

Whistle
1

Hi all!
I’m a whistler and an oboist and I play in a folk band in Glasgow (“Split Heirs”).
We like to use all kinds of weird and wonderful instruments, and I had a notion that I might try and learn to play the bombarde. (breton double reed inst. fingering like whistle, embouchure similar to oboe)
Does anyone have a clue where I might find one?

2

Try Hobgoblins (Bradford, London, Crawley) - they also have a website. Otherwise, punch in Bombarde on Google.com

I’ve been thinking of getting one myself, so if you get a result let us know!

3

Cheers!
Hobgoblin have bombardes at a really good price! - £21.95 for cheapest one.

http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/cartwind.htm

They come from Pakistan, and I know that Pakistani bagpipes are almost universally crap.
I wonder whether the bombardes are any good? - They’re certainly cheap.
Gordon

4

GR2701 Gremlin Bb Bombarde, rosewood
In two joints, with ivorine mounts, 1 key. Made in Pakistan .
Price: £ 21.95 Pounds Stg (€ 36.22 Euro)
Available Quantity - In warehouse 41

on the Hobgoblin website

5

I have one knocking about, Camac French made in B flat ebony with a plastic bell end. Send a private msg when interested. Have a very nice Biniou Kozh too if anybody is into that.

6

My Lark in the Morning catalog has one, but I can’t locate the instrument on their website ( http://www.larkinam.com ).
Might be worth it to give them a call too, and scout out your options.

7

Thanks Wandering_Whistler!
That website’s fantastic.

8

Andreas Rogge makes one in D.
http://www.uilleann-pipes.de/

9

Try http://www.sonerien.com/. They seem to have a good selection in various price ranges. When I was in Brittany 2 years ago a chap in a music store in Vannes recommended that the really inexpensive ones weren’t very good and I should save my money for a good one.

10

I read somewhere (I don’t recall where, but it was a site discussing bombardes) that the Pakistani-made bombardes (available from Mid-east.com, Lark in the Morning, Hobgoblin, etc.) are nothing like the real French bombardes.

11

Camac French ones are available at the Early Music Shop (under folk instruments): http://www.e-m-s.com/ . Plan on visiting that site when you have a couple of hours to browse – they have some of the coolest instruments I’ve ever seen. Be sure to look up the racketts.

Charlie

12

On 2002-05-28 06:56, Peter Laban wrote:
. . .Have a very nice Biniou Kozh too if anybody is into that.

Actually, an ice pick for both of my ear drums would work just as well. :wink:

I heard the Biniou Kozh and Bombarde with Pat Gorman and John Skelton (when they were here with the Windbags) hear in Wilmington. Interesting music, but I could not even imagine listening to more than one set at a time. Anybody that thinks whistles are too shrill in the high end should give a listen to the Biniou Kozh.

By the way, John Skelton plays some very nice bombarde music with the House Band on nearly all of their CD’s.

13

Gordon:
I would take your man’s offer on the Camac. There are a few Breton sites that might be worth checking out. http://www.sonerien.com and http://www.celtica-music.com are some options. A guy named Bruno Thomas represents Hervieux & Glet, http://www.chez.com/bthomas/HG/CEHG.htm is his website. Avoid Pakistani instruments like the plague. Cheap yes but not worth your time. Bombardes come in several pitches. Bb (Si bémol in French) is the traditional pitch. There’s an American maker named Mike MacHarg but his are made without the key for that bottom note. So if you have wee hands you may want to avoid that one otherwise http://www.vermontel.net/~theweepiper/ is his website.
Kenavo!
Aaron

14

Actually, I think the Pakistani ones are just fine. Perhaps not the same fine workmanship, but no big difference in sound.

Edit:Spelling…

[ This Message was edited by: Andreas on 2002-05-29 10:08 ]

15

Peter L - I’m interested in your Bb bombarde. Please mail me on nickturner@hotmail.com to discuss (I tried to mail you but no joy)
Nick

16

I’ve been drooling over this double reed pipe for a long time:

http://www.ancestral.co.uk/reedhorn.htm

17

Thanks for all your feedback guys!
I’ve decided to buy Peter Laban’s Camac bombarde (if he’s still got it :laughing:)
Gordon

18

For those who’ve had good luck with a Pakistani made instrument, you’re very fortunate. Otherwise they’re pretty hit and miss (heavier on the miss side). You’re just not going to get the same quality. Unless you get one made by a tool & die machinist who made measurements of a Breton made bombarde to the 5th decimal place, it just won’t be accurate. If you just want to futter about in your cellar I guess they’re fine but if you’re going to be performing with one Pakistani is not optimal.
Kenavo!
Aaron

19

Make sure you find a good reed source and buy plenty of them.
Most Bombarde reeds are poorly made, you might want to learn how to tweak them.

20

On 2002-05-29 22:41, Daniel_Bingamon wrote:
Make sure you find a good reed source and buy plenty of them.
Most Bombarde reeds are poorly made, you might want to learn how to tweak them.

I know that reeds can be a problem, but if I get one decent reed, I can use that as a profile to make more (I’m an oboist, so I’ve got all the equipment and most of the experience :smiley:).
PS If anyone needs reeds for obscure instruments, I can normally find a way of making them sound pretty good - if not, I know plenty of people who can!