First of all, greetings - this is my first message ever to the forum. I’m a bit nervous, but here goes.
:roll:
I’m looking to buy my first 1/2 set soon and have been wondering about this subject for some time - is there a difference in sound/timbre? Does it all depend on the reed? Does it affect the way the chanter must be reeded? I’ve seen most of my favorite players use brass or nickel tops more than wooden, i.e. Paddy Keenan, Jerry O’ Sullivan, John McSherry, Cillian Vallely - all the makers of their chanters (at least in the photos I’ve seen here & there) seem to use metal tops. I’m also located in Houston, TX, so would it be better to have a metal top in order to account for wood swelling/climate change, including differences between pipemaker’s location and mine? Any info would be greatly appreciated by someone who hasn’t been able to get out into the world yet to see for himself!
Short answer, no. Long answer, uhh, maybe… but nobody knows how or why.
There’s some anecdotal evidence that the size/shape/length of the chanter reed cap may effect the playing characteristics. But none that I know of that suggest that the material itself is any more important than anything else. like, say, the phase of the moon.
Though you are right to give some concern to how wood will react versus metal in climates, if you are in a situation where the reed cap splits I’d worry more about what that implies about the stability of the chanter itself.
IMO it’s mostly about appearance. Most makers charge more money for wooden tops, and even top name players often use metal reed caps because some renowned makers, old and new, seemed to prefer making them (i.e. Rowesome and Froment). I prefer the wooden ones myself, though they’re a bit more trouble to make.
Oh, and you’re right… everything depends on the reed
I’m not quite sure yet what I’ll decide on - most likely metal since it’ll probably cost less. I’m also used to dealing with brass (I’m a horn player by trade). I’m considering sets by Seth Gallagher, Michael Hubbert, or Kirk Lynch
(would LOVE to eventually get my hands on a Froment full set somewhere down the road though - I’m sure it’s just the reeds, but does anyone have any idea how to adjust drone reeds in non-Froment drones to make them sound that full and rich and POWERFUL, i.e. Cillian Vallely? Or does the drone design have something to do with it? I’ve always been blown away by that sound - sometimes they sound growly & crass though…).
Damn, that was a long parenthetical. Sorry.
Anyways, I’ve never actually heard a Hubbert set played before - anyone out there have any sound samples or commentary on his stuff? I’m sure there are copious threads out there that I’ve missed…
Also, what’s the difference in the shaping of the air intake tube on the chanter top, i.e. curvy bassoon bocal style vs. straight-ahead downward-slant bend style? I’ve been seeing a lot more of the later in today’s makers’ designs, although I’ve seen both styles in Gallagher’s chanters.
no real difference in the windcap connection whethert the bent one coming out the top or the 45 degree coming out the side. many maker make both at different times or even the same time. preshaw does the bent kind on his metal windcap and the side kind on his wooden windcap. he, like others, believes that it makes no difference to the sound or performance. my seth chanter has the side-coming-out option with the basic metal windcap. preshaw pointed out that in practical terms the bent-top kind adds a little length to the chanter overall. this is an issue if you are trying to fit it in a small space. i am a frequent traveler. when i travel, i take my chanter, an extra bag, and a bellows, and fit them into a hard attache case (in other words, i convert my half set to a practice set). the chanter just fits.
no real difference in the windcap connection whethert the bent one coming out the top or the 45 degree coming out the side. many maker make both at different times or even the same time. preshaw does the bent kind on his metal windcap and the side kind on his wooden windcap. he, like others, believes that it makes no difference to the sound or performance. my seth chanter has the side-coming-out option with the basic metal windcap. preshaw pointed out that in practical terms the bent-top kind adds a little length to the chanter overall. this is an issue if you are trying to fit it in a small space. i am a frequent traveler. when i travel, i take my chanter, an extra bag, and a bellows, and fit them into a hard attache case (in other words, i convert my half set to a practice set). the chanter just fits.
Besides the esthetics (and I do like the look of the wood cap) I would say that the only major difference is if you plan to have a stop key added, but then the wind cap needs to be rather long.
