I will be purchasing some drones shortly and was wondering who’s drone reeds you prefer? Or, What style of reed works best for you? Synthetic? Hardwood dowel? Standard? Let me know what you think. Thanks 
Who made your chanter? Usually, it’s recommended to go with the same maker. Synthetic or natural… they have already worked out the balance.
I have BC Childress composite drone reeds in both my Gallagher D and Childress C sets. Good tone and no maintenance needed. Works for me!
Who is making your drones??
As Tony mentioned, it’s best to match the drones and the chanter. You don’t want drones which will drown out the chanter.
If you go for cane drones, remember that you need to play them regularly.
I am going out to Pittsburgh to play, and hopefully, walk away with a Tim Britton half set. I am pretty excited about it. The drones are fitted with hardwood dowel reeds. I have read only good things about them. Basically i will need a large drones sound and something that is low on maintnance. The hours of the day are to few and i can’t really afford to be fussing around with them all day, as much as i wold like to (i don’t mind putting alittle work into them). Maybe i should just play the egg shaker. Hardly any up kept at all. 
My own of course All you need is some brass tubing. 5/32",3/16" or whatever and some poly-carbonate plus the DQ book and you’re set.
upiper71
Call me old fashioned, but I keep going with plain cane. Mine are maybe 20 years pld, and I just clean out the lint every so often.
You’re old fashioned.
Seagull,
Everybody’s tastes are different. Go with what sounds the best to you. If the drones you are buying have working reeds in them, then leave them there. Chances are they will match your chanters tone.
Did you ask Tim?
Not on this forum you don’t. 
I’m pretty certain that the seller of this set has it set up very nicely, and you shouldn’t worry about it. But seeing as it is a Britton set, I’d have to say Tim’s drone reeds are a perfect fit, in addition to being very nice reeds.
If this is the set I think it is, I had a look at them at the Pipers’ Gathering. There’s a 4th A drone and the bass and baritone are both doubled back. Very nice.
PJ,
Yes it is that set. I am really excited about this one. I believe it is fitted with Tim’s Hardwood reeds. I have heard alot of good stuff about them.
We seem to have been ‘baited’ by your initial post.
Why didn’t you reveal this information earlier?
Tony,
I just wanted to hear what you guys thought. Honestly, this question was not specific to my drones. Sorry 
No problem. We gave you our honest thoughts.
Unless you’ve been playing a while or had experience listening (up close) or playing a few sets by different makers… chances are it wouldn’t make any difference. The slight tonal differences (you might notice from cane, wood, plastic, metal) shouldn’t be enough to sway you any ‘which-way’
What you should seek (more) is reliable reeds. Synthetic reeds usually do this quickly. In many cases it’s play or not play, where the cane (until properly adjusted and broken in) may have a wider range of variances between working and not working. Also (as in your case) a used set of drones with working reeds should give you years of playablilty with only a few minor adjustments.
So did you buy the set??
Yes i did! The set is absolutely amazing! (a deluxe half set from Tim Britton) The drone sound is very strong and the chanter feels very comfortable. The drones are fitted with hardwood reeds. They sound sooooo goooood!!! Actually i drove straight from Pittsburgh to a gig in columbus. I pulled the set out, tuned it up and i played amazingly! I got compliments about the set all night (and a few about my piping) but mostly about the set. It was definitly a good purchase. I took some wise advice and just decided to hold out for my “dream set”. Although my dream set is a full Williams set, this is more than what i expected! Sound clips will be coming soon!
Side note- Van Fleet is quiet possibly the nicest guys i have ever met! It was a good interaction all the way through. He was so helpfull. Thanks again.
Pleased to hear your happy with the new set SEAGULL, they’ll sound even better with a set of elder reeds in them. 
… not. 