Interested in knowing if anyone has a MCC2 McCalllum Blackwood Chanter (one tried and tested by Willie McCallum) and if you like it or not? Your opinion please.
may I ask if your interest is in solo or band playing? ![]()
yes, my interest and intended use for this particular chanter would be solo competition.
I have one. I’ve been playing it for a bit over a year now. My friend in the band has one too, and we both use them for solo competition. My instructor has one too, but I’m not sure if it’s finally displaced the 30 year old Naill.
We seem to be finding that the G’s are a bit sharp. My B seems a bit flat. But these are relatively minor issues.
So far, the reeds that have worked best for us are Soutar/Abedour (same reed). Willie says he plays McPhee reeds. They say it doesn’t matter if you get them direct from him or from a local vendor – they’re all the same chanter with the same quality control, including a final test from Willie.
The chanter is bright and vibrant (but not bright like the McCallum Band chanters), and I get good comments from the judges.
I got the engraved nickel sole. It isn’t really large, but it is relatively heavy. My instructor’s Naill has a sterling sole, and in a conversation with Willie, he said that he finds the sole helps with stability, making it a little easier to play, which is what I thought I experienced when I played my instructor’s, but after the man himself confirmed with my instructor that was the case we knew it wasn’t just in our heads.
My experiences are similar to the above but have had sharp High G, flat B issues with Naill chanters too.
I’m currently playing a MacPhee reed but have also had success with Ross, Troy, Ezee and Anderson reeds. The Troy and MacPhee reeds have had the best sound so far with Ross following. I have a MacLellan reed I am about to start blowing in that was tested by the maker in this model of chanter.
It plays well at a variety of pitches too. I have had it near concert Bb and up in the High 470s.
Like any chanter it comes down to the reed, how it’s set and how it’s blown but when the planets align it’s a great sounding chanter.
Thanks to all who have thus far responded to my inquiry, I really appreciate the information. Also, thanks to those who have sent private messages, all are appreciated and welcome! Just as an aside, I’ve looked at a few chanters which I hadn’t considered prior. Even had an opportunity or two to put my hands upon a couple and give them a test drive, so to speak. Bottom line, I’m picking up, from the Post Office tomorrow morning, a new Strathmore Blackwood chanter. Like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. ![]()
buddy of mine uses a Strath on his ca.1860 Glens; another pal with his Atherton-turned Krons. Altough Ive yet to hear of anyone dissatisfied with their Strath’s, I will add that mine, (hot off the lathe), took about 10 months to truly settle down. (still maintain it was that funeral in a stiff breeze and 17 F). anyhow. During the breaking in period it sorely tempted me for resale. 3 years later, it’s one of my 4 favorite chanters of all time. period.