I have just starting learning the UPs and have a Galagher 1/2 set with concert chanter with a reed he made in 2005. With it, I can sound all the 1st octave notes in correct pitch (according to my Korg tuner) except back D. If I squeeze the geebers out of the bag, I can get up to a C#. 2nd octave e and f sound true. I have tried to open the reed blades by squeezing the bridle at the sides but as soon as I stop pressing, it returns to its former shape and still no back D. Any suggestions?
Send it back to Seth.
I’ll second this thought. As a newcomer to the pipes, I would be cautious when fiddling around with your reed. Are there other experienced pipers near you that may be willing to have a look at it?
I should note that I didn’t buy the reed from Seth - it came with the (used) pipes I bought. So I don’t have Seth’s guaruntee. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to contact him to see if he’s willing to help. I’m not aware of any other pipers within a few hundred miles.
I occasionally put my reed in a vise for a while. One with padded jaws. Thus, forcing the lips open. This has helped get me through our Pleistocene winters. The jury is out on how many cycles of this the reed will bear and this may or may not be effective for your reed design.
When squeezing the reed open by hand, make sure you hold the reed with your strong hand, by the tails, and hold the blades open for as long as your hand can take it (which is not long for me and my tender fingers). Also, it is said that the effects of this type of manipulation play themselves out over hours or days.
Caveat piper.
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