Hello - first I have posted to this forum - in any case, I am an uilleann piper of some ill-repute but I have a GHB question for once. In reed despair as I do not often play the GHB though I many many years ago competed at grade 3 (been close to 10 years I would have to guess)… just do not maintain the ghb as i should, and as such they are a bit pissed at me when they come out for the odd funeral or st. andrew’s gig… which brings me to my current despair.
I have an assortment of old wygent, shepherd, shepherd all new plastic, and actual cane drone reeds - none of which really are doing it for me.. either the set up has the tongue so short they cut off (but are at a good volume) or so long they come on just fine but are so loud they sound like a truck riding on my shoulder.
Please note, I am a veteran reed adjuster et al. on the more notorious uilleann pipes, and have helped the vast majority of pipers in the great state of florida with piping adjustments et al, but when it comes to the GHB i am completely out of practice and could use a tip or two… note: no pipe majors in the area otherwise i would start there… and worry not, i do not completely suck on them… have been asked to join several bands over the years, have played them annually at UF graduations, and have even played them on stage with the Chieftains… just need some advice.
so, for someone who tends to pull these things out after winning national championships, weddings, funerals and the odd gig - but otherwise plays the uilleann pipes regularly on stage and on recordings - and plays a less-than-strong-reed:
any recommendation for a dependable set of drone reeds that will play at a lesser volume?
any recommendation for a dependable chanter reed that does not take a lung sacrifice but does not squeak like a little dog toy?.. i know the first thing anyone will typically say is it takes a strong reed and i have said this myself - but the same is said for the uilleann pipe reeds, and i have played many, made quite a few, and a good reed on those (diff. instrument i know) does not have to be made of popsicle sticks…
any recommendation for a good place to QUICKLY purchase such items on line?..
oh yes, i am playing a poly shepherd chanter (from maybe around 1998?) and a set of macleods from glasgow from about the same period of time.
have some old never-used chanter reeds on the strong side that will not be broken in by st. andrew’s this year, so any tips on carving or scraping would be welcomed as well - not in pipe band, so these are expendable as far as i am concerned… cost maybe $3 each at the time, so when compared to the $100 per reed on the uilleann pipes, i do not mind messing a few up.
Take it Ezee, both drones and chanter. The Ezee pipe chanter reed costs twice as much as most but they are virtually plug and play and are easy blowers. Ezeedrone is also a reliable drone reed. You can manipulate the bridle to get a quiet sound and turn the screw to adjust the pitch. Selbies are similar and IMHO have a little reedier timbre. The bodies of these reeds do absorb a little moisture so aren’t totally impermeable. For a little more money you can get Kinnairds. Their bridles are little more forgiving and they have a grub screw to adjust the pitch. They have plastic bodies and carbon fiber tongues.
I find ToneCzar to be a very expedient and reliable service. I have a great vendor just north of me but ToneCzar is closer to you.
as for chanter reed- don’t expect to ever sound any good if you are not playing at the very least once a week. any chanter reed will dry out within a month or two and sound pish (especially in Florida climate). your problem seems to be that you dont play your GHB, its a beast of an instrument and if you want it to sound quality pay it respect and some regular attention
I am using Kinnaird Carbon Fibre drone reeds. They have great tone, are always steady and I never need to tune them. I bought them two years ago, plugged them in, and have not had to make more than an adjustment or two in that time. And by adjustment I mean raising or lowering the drone stocks. Have not had to touch the actual reed itself!
I think ToneCzar is closed for business. The piper’s hut is ok. or midwest bagpipe supply.
I second AM’s post, other than I personally don’t like the tone of EZEE chanter reeds. I like Apps easy’s or McAllister’s but to each their own, and for what you are doing, I bet the ezee chanter reeds would do well.
I also am in love with my rocket reeds. plug and play man, plug and play.
but I have a GHB question for once. In reed despair as I do not often play the GHB though I many many years ago competed at grade 3 (been close to 10 years I would have to guess)… just do not maintain the ghb as i should, and as such they are a bit pissed at me when they come out for the odd funeral or st. andrew’s gig… which brings me to my current despair.