This isn’t an advertising feature but I thought it only fair to sing the praises of Brian’s “off the shelf” reeds. Having had 3 concert pitch chanters, (a Matt Kiernan, a Jimmy Moloney and a Ray Sloane)which I had had great difficulty in reeding - somewhat in desperation I sent off for 3 of Brian Howard’s ready made reeds and incredibly (and I mean this!) having fitted them without any “fettling”, they worked perfectly and in tune throughout the range in all three chanters.
So having had many years of exasperation when trying to buy reeds, I can heartily recommend Brian’s ready made reeds!
I know Brian has been (further) developing the staples. I guess these reeds must be on the latest staples. I haven’t had the chance to visit for a year or so now but I must make the time soon!
Well there’s quite a tale here. I originally bought the chanter off Matt when I visited him sometime in the 80s and it had his reed in it which worked perfectly. I also bought a Bb off him too, all for the princely sum of £25 for both.
I had both chanters for a few years and then lent them to a pipemaker to copy the dimensions. Sadly while he had these in his possession, he passed away, a sad loss to us all but unfortunately when I came to ask for the chanters back, they had been sold on as part of his estate and no record of where. To cut a long story short, I was playing in a pub in Sheffield a couple of years back and a piper who I hadn’t met for many years came over and said that he had something which he thought was mine - the concert pitch chanter! Anyway after profuse thanks etc. I got it back but the reed wasn’t Matt’s and I just couldn’t find a reed to suit it until I tried one of Brian’s, hence the post on the forum. Incidentally I never did find the Bb chanter!
perhaps I gave the wrong impression. His chanter is a work of art and does reed very easily as a rule. It’s just that I was very surprised that Brian’s reed worked so well and was considerably louder that the original of Ray’s. A matter of taste, I suppose.
Chris: as you know, I sent for a reed from Howard Music in Sheffield, England and I received it yesterday. Right off of the shelf, right out of the envelope, wonder of wonders, it works great!!! As you may recall, I’ve had problems reeding a Neil O’Grady chanter. What a pleasure and a relief to finally have a reed that works. I’m going to order a second one tomorrow. Frankly, it is like Christmas all over again. Thank you so much for the suggestion, it was well worth it. Don.
I was just speaking to Brian about the latest reeds and he has been sending them all over the place.I wonder how many chanters of differing makes they go in. I’ve tried them in six and they worked in five after slight further sanding (although these were on earlier, 2005, staples) so I must get my hands on the new ones .
After reading these posts, I decided to buy an off-the-shelf-reed from Howard Music for a new Mark Hillmann chanter I recently purchased. I was first amazed when it showed up just a few days after I ordered it (I live in Baltimore, Maryland [USA]). Secondly, I was amazed at how well it worked as soon as I tried it. I’ve made a few adjustments and it is now playing to my satisfaction. I plan to buy another one soon.
Hi.
I live in Denmark an have a full Howard set. I started playing in 1977, but have had a long break. 3 years ago i took up the piping again, but the chanterreed was very herd to blow, and
needed a new easy gooing one. I got my new reed to my “old” chanter, and was happy - it was just like plug and play - no ajustments at all.
This just to tel that it IS possible to get a working reed by mail.
Our club has a Hillman chanter that is pitched sharp of D (closer to Eb). Is yours similar? I would like to get our chanter reeded and am encouraged that this might be an option. On the other hand, maybe Mark is not completely out of the business and could reed this chanter. You out there Mark?
I know someone who got an off the shelf reed, but from a different maker.The upper octave was a bit off so like Ferg he changed the staple which cured that,but the reed was a bit soft so he changed the head as well and with a new wrapping and a different bridle the reed now plays great.
I’m new to piping, just bought a used Dixon practice set off ebay to get started. Seems like a lovely chanter, bag, and bellows. The seller told me when I bought it that the reed might need adjusting but he didn’t know for sure as he never learned to play. Sure enough, I got some advice from some pipers over in Saint Paul and they told me to buy a new reed.
I contacted Brian Howard because I heard he makes an easy blowing, soft sounding reed. He called me a couple of days later, got a feel for what I wanted and where my playing is at (infantile) and said he’d send me a reed. I got it the next week and haven’t been able to put down my set since then. It plays beautifully, has a sweet tone in two full octaves, and seems very responsive.
Brian told me when I bought the reed to play it for a week and if I didn’t like it, I could send it back for a full refund (provide the reed wasn’t sanded or otherwise tampered with). I definitely won’t be sending it back and will call Brian for any further piping needs. Brian, if you read this, thanks again.
