OK, so if I were to assume (pretend here with me a minute) that the chanter itself could play a hard D consistantly, when I was making a new reed for it I’d want to watch and make sure the width is wide enough to work with the bell and that the lips aren’t scraped too thin.
Anything else in the reed itself I should watch out for?
Thanks!
Bri~
If it makes you feel any better, the same “jury rigged” method is used on inexpensive instruments, too. 
There’s only so much precision one can get with the materials (wood and cane) and it’s fine tuning to use the wax, phone wire, etc. My experience is that the “gick” can be pretty precise. If amount of gick doesn’t work, then try gick + 1, etc.
Another bottom D rush I have used is an “O” ring that has been snipped and placed in the bore.
A previous set of pipes I owned came with a bit of paper stuffed in the bore to make the bottom D sound the way it should.
Is it the relatively low cost of the wax/wire/paper that is being used on the expensive instrument that causes you consternation?
If so, someone please sell Brett an insanely expensive bit of wax/wire/paper that is more becoming and suitable to his expensive instrument!
I imagine it is the five hours frigging to one hour playing ratio he is balking at.
Lots of people have tried alternate methods and materials, Brett, but have only had limited success. There’s always new things to try, though. Maybe you will be the one to find the magic cure … or the tooth fairy.
djm
If so, someone please sell Brett an insanely expensive bit of wax/wire/paper that is more becoming and suitable to his expensive instrument!
unfortunately, that sounds like me sometimes…
Thanks for all the comments!
The O-ring idea sounds promising…maybe Michael Burke should start making chanters. 
-Brett
Please no! I would have to go to jail for bank robbery!
I think I will check out Robeson county, NC for some good hideouts if he does.