I play the GHB (Wolf River Pipes & Drums) and I’m just starting on the UP’s. We were looking at the UP’s (practice set) and one of the guys asked if the piece on top of the chanter (a round piece (wood) like a wheel with a round piece of white plastic in the center) had anything to do with tuneing. I told him I didn’n think so. My chanter is the kind that the air line (looks like 3\8" brass tubing) from the bag goes into the side of the chanter at the top, about 2" from the top. I think this is just to stop up the top of the chanter. Was I correct? I’ve seen some of the chanters that had the 3\8" air line comeing thru the top of the chanter. Does it make any difference? also I noticed on the reed the bridle is made of wire instead of one flat piece of brass. Does this make any difference? (the wire, about the size used in the twist on a package of bread) The wire is wound around around the reed about 4 times and then the ends are twisted together. It’s about all I can do to keep from moveing the bridle just a little to see what happens.
Welcome to C&F…
The top piece on the reed cap is decoration to close it. It doesn’t tune the reed.
Who made the chanter/reed ?
B.C.Childress made the reed and William Smith made the chanter.
OK.
As you were describing it I was thinking of Childress.
Bruce makes a very stable reed… slightly different style with the wire bridal instead of a traditional band. The idea is not to touch it. They are very stable for all weather conditions and should give you years of service.