If you were to turn the tuning pin of a drone a little wider and the top sleeve bore fitting over it wider to accomodate the tuning pin(of course), how much would the pitch of the drone change. Let’s say it was a change of from 3/8" to 7/16". Also, how much would widening the bore of the drone change the sound…flat or sharp? What would this do to stability?
Marc
I don’t think it would have nearly as much effect on the tuning of a drone as it would on the volume. Tuning pin on a drone? Do you mean regulator?
Perhaps this question should be addressed directly to a pipemaker …
djm
By tuning pin, I mean the narrower part on the bottom of the drone on which the top part fits and slides up and down for tuning. I’mworking on making my second set of SSP. The first set sounds great, but the tuning pins look a little dainty. If I was to widen them and the accompanying sleeve to fit them, would that change the sound too much? Right now they are 3/8", but I’d like go 7/16" to 1/2". I just don’t want to waste wood in an experiment if someone can give me reason not to.
Marc
Perhaps a better term than “pins” would be “tenons”. I have seen several times where gaps are introduced at various points along the path of the drones, and it didn’t ruin their sound. Some makers have said that it can have a calming effect on the sound. I don’t believe it will adversely affect the overall behaviour, as long as the main shape remains a long taper. I really think you should take this up with an experienced maker if you are worried about wasting wood.
djm
The tenon is the part which holds the drone in the stock. The tuning pin is the part which slides for the purpose of tuning.
I would expect reaming out the tone chamber to flatten the pitch; on the GHB, this usually improves stability, but I wouldn’t like to say that’ll happen on UP drones. Another trick for imroving stability on GHB drones is to set the reed up so you can set the slide as open as possible (I usually have about three quarters of the hemp showing on mine, and both slides on the bass wide open). These days, it’s an artform to find reeds for it, though.
If you’re experimenting on SSP, try getting hold of a supply of polypenco. It’s much cheaper and responds well. My Ian Kinnears are in polypenco and I’ve no plans to change them for something else.
Cheers,
Calum
The reed tenon is the part that fits into the mainstock the tuning tenon is at the opposite end of this part of the drone and then the tuning socket fits over the tuning tenon for the purpose of tuning
RORY
Marc,
Rather than answer your question directly, let me offer a more indirect, yet possibly a more illuminating approach.
Pick a drone reed, any reed..let’s say baritone. Ok. Now, go to the hobby store and pick up a variety of telescoping brass tubing. The bore of the standing (reed end) portion of the drone, should be the same as the bore of your drone reed. You’ll need to fashion some sort of reed seat. Now, begin experimenting with length of tubing, bore of tubing. Find what changes you get by widening the bore, or by adjusting the length of the bore.
This is really the beginning of designing your own drones.
Maybe I ought to take up pipemaking, nah, not enough stick between me and the short end of my stick left.
Once you go flat, you don’t wanna go back
Thanks, Davey. This is pretty much what I was figuring on doing, even to the point of making wood pieces to fit the larger chamber for the top part of the drone and another to experiment with the bell/exit. That should take some of the frustration out of research and developement. 
I wish I could post drawings of my ideas, but alas no scanner. It may be le frustrating to buy them from a good maker, but it’s much more satisfying to become a good maker.
Thanks all for the help.
Marc