Just got a lovely new bag for my Koehler/Quinn 3/4 C set from David, had him do an “innie” stock cup so I don’t have to use a strap and the regs sit so very nicely across my leg.
As a strange coincidence, after I installed the stock in the new bag, suddenly my highest note on the tenor reg now has decided that it wants to be the same tone as its next lowest neighbor. Nothing has changed, the rush is the same, the bronze reed is the same, its just decided to get fussy on me. I’ve pulled the reg, checked the reed, checked the bore, checked the rush, and all is as it was yesterday. The rest of the reg is playing exactly as it was yesterday. So strange.
Anyone have a suggestion how to get my high note back? I’m missing those cross reg C chords (I guess it would be a B-flat chord on a C set) in my aires!
I’ve sent an email to David, I guess worst case is I’ll have to buy a new bronze tenor reg reed.
I have the same issue with that reg. and note. It has good days and bad days…mostly bad. One would think that a basically all-metal device (bronze reed) would be less sensative to environmental conditions, but not so. But I made the reed myself and have just lived with it, in hopes of either making a new one or tweaking this one. I don’t think anyone has devised a method for adjusting a bronze reed, sadly.
While we’re on this topic. My sets is one of those pipes based on the older desings. Where the top note plays Cn rather than C#. Like Eskin recently my B note on the tenor (instead of the C# on Eskins pipes) goes fussy or squeels menisingly. However all the other notes are fine? Nothings changed on the set (like Eskin’s) and the regulator still has the orriginal reed that Ian Mackenzie use to use.
This thread’s going to be extreamly useful source of information.
I kept poking at my pipemaker to get the reg reeds to be easier to play, but he refused, saying that light reg reeds are prone to squeeling. Might that possibly be what’s happening with your tenor?
I really have to crank the bag to get my regs going. In fact, Joe reworked my chanter reed so I reallyy have to crank on that, as well, but it sounds great and in tune, in spite of my whining that it takes so much pressure. Joe tells me that all the sets he tried in Ireland were real arm-busters, but that this is one of the secrets to really consistent reeds - that they should not be made so light and easy to pressure.
Sorry about your bronze reg reeds, eskin. Mine worked great until they didn’t. They up ‘n’ died, and no amount of frigging with them would bring them back, so I am now back to using cane reg reeds again.
let me say that i have a similar problem with only that one note on my tenor reg… i have to overblow it… if i really crank down on the bag, the c nat overblows into the correct note… otherwise it is something like an A as i recall… i even, secretly, went and redrilled that hole and the b hole under it… b is just fine, c nat is still flat unless i overblow it.
not sure what the issue is, but i have gotten used to it, and have sort of written the cross reg. chord out of my rep. for a while.
I’m looking into getting a replacement bronze reg reed. I just love playing aires on the C set and I really don’t want to have regs without that note. Worst case is that the current reed will come out of its snit and start sounding the high note and I’ll have a spare.
Thought I’d chime in since my name and set came up. Almost forgot about C&F but hit it again to see if there was any news re the SoCal group and their distinguished guest in the near future.
My beehive set has regs and chanter reeds of cane while the drones are composite reeds.
I’ve been foolin with the strap but I think I want an innie too!!! I’ll see what DMQ thinks about it the next time we meet. Strap is just not as comfortable and limits excursions with the pipes on in other ways. Posture and accessibility are 95% of playing the regs.
My baritone reg reed overblows a few notes these days, especially what would be considered the g note…arrrgh! Perfect tuning otherwise though. Gotta try to open the reed a little I suppose. Doggone behive set sounds tremendous, though.
Good topic Michael. Glad to se there is still the possibility for sensible conversation on the Chiff and fipple list.
… there still are a few good topics and posts laying around here somewhere, but one has to be patient and do a lot of diggin’. Don’t forget your shovel…
