I posted on the forum once or twice quite a number of months ago, but not many people noticed…
In fact I wasn’t even really welcomed to the board
But I understand, I’m used to being ignored
Anyway, I recently moved to Wisconsin in a fit of temporary insanity without even ASKING my pipes and now they’ve had a total breakdown.
They fall apart with all the wacky changes in weather (i.e. blizzard to sunshine in 20 minutes) but what are really giving me a headache are the drone reeds. Here’s the situation: they don’t work.
I have to dynamically alter their bridles to get a change in pitch (which lasts about fifteen minutes), they’re talking political amounts of air to make a noise, and when I finally get them in tune I plug in the chanter and they go ballistic; each in a different pitch direction every second or so.
I’m beginning to think they don’t love me anymore…and I can’t play under those conditions!
I really don’t want to make new reeds (read: I don’t know how to make new reeds and don’t have the patience to wait for reed cane to be mailed to Wisconsin not to mention learning what to do when it gets here) so any far out, conventional or otherwise, preferably appealing to the extraordinarily lazy, home remedies you can recommend would be appreciated.
Sorry. For a while I was the resident C&F greeter but Uilliam made a comment about it so I refrained from the practice.
Welcome to C&F !
Your earlier posts were in the topic of pipes made in Pakistan… not the best place for introductions.
My first thought is to contact Tim for drone reed advice (or spares) as he’s already familiar with your set.
It wouldn’t hurt to buy a book on reed making (and maintenance) as reed adjustments are explained. Unless you have an instructor (or experienced piper) to look over your set.
If your drones are stable and go out of tune when you play with the chanter, it’s entirely possible the chanter reed is set too hard and the drones can’t take the added pressure.
Hold on a minute My comment to our" RESIDENT GREETER ":roll: was made in March of THIS year(2004)
Liguori posted to the board back in Feb LAST year(2003).
So our “RESIDENT GREETER” :roll: anticipated my comment to him by an entire year and didnae greet Liguori!!
So I’m to blame?.. erm nice try.
Slan
Liam
Welcome to the board. Now get off the cross; we need the wood.
If climate changes are that bad for you, you might want to look into synthetic reeds. You can make them from a wide variety of materials found in your local hobby shop. Along with the knowledge gained from making your own reeds comes an added intimate knowledgeof the workings and preferences of your own personal pipes. You may not be able to reed anyone elses, but you’ll never be let down or waiting for someone else to do the job for you. We have faith in you.
Marc
Thanks for the advice guys..
I tried my hand at synthetic reeds last summer but I never knew the proper dimensions for them so they all played in really off-the-wall keys or clapped shut (too thin a tongue?).
The set was playing perfectly before I moved here. The drones sounded great and the chanter I have is incredible!
Reeds, being the sensitive beasties that they are, simply HATE it when you move from on climate to another drastically differen t climate. It is a good idea to learn how to make reeds (cane, wood or synthetic) and do so within the environment that you will be playing your pipes.
The synthetic drone reeds of the brass/styrene variety are hardy little guys who are stable in most climates. Their dimensions can be acquired at :
The design is by Eddie Damm and has worked unfailingly for me for the past year without any major adjustment. They are easier than snot to build and require a small amount of time to do so. When you get to the site, click on Uilleann Pipes, then click on synthetic drone reed plans. Good luck.
I feel for you, Liguori. I think I had to post about 20 times before anyone noticed I was alive, so don’t feel bad. Everyone is nice, now.
I have the same problem with my chanter reed, too. I have to move the bridle around a lot, and when it’s hot the pitch changes dramatically and some notes won’t play at all. One of those really together pipers down in Southern California suggested that I get a humidity monitor (if that’s the right word) and check to see if the humididty is affecting it. He said that if it is, I should get a humidifier and set it up when I’m playing.
Eventually I plan to follow his advice, although since I’m going to be away all summer I think I’ll wait until the Fall (of course, my reed will probably start playing well again, then). In the meantime you might want to try this person’s advice and see if it helps!
My comment to our" RESIDENT GREETER ":roll: was made in March of THIS year(2004)
