First, I have established a new location to harvest the cane here in California. The new spot is located only a few miles from my previous location, but the stand is more substantial and, I believe, even better quality than before. The cane at the local is ever encroaching on a rancher’s property, who has stated “Take as much as you want, indefinitely!” So I’ve harvested and cut this years crop (my biggest harvest so far), and it is ready to be processed and shipped! I’ve made quite a few reeds from he new stuff, and so far am loving my results. The cane is soft and loves to vibrate. I have plenty of all different diameter tubes from 17 mm to 30 mm. Same prices as before: $3 US per Regular tube, and $1 US per Irregular tube.
Secondly, I am offering for sale quarter and half tube pieces by the box (see photos): $20 per box. These are pieces of tubes that I set aside as I process normal orders. I had originally intended to save these pieces for my own use, but eventually realized I had more than I will ever use in 10 lifetimes! So I’m offering these pieces by the box ($20 US plus shipping).
The cane is the same quality California cane, and I guarantee each quarter tube piece is straight enough and wide enough to be used to make at least 1 reed. Each box contains pieces of varying diameters from flat pitch size to concert pitch size, and weighs (with cane) about 2 lbs or almost 1 kilo. I counted the number of pieces in the box in the photos, and it came out to approximately 140 pieces. That is the rough equivalent of 35 whole regular tubes (which BTW would be over $100).
As I said, I’m selling each box of cane for $20 plus shipping. I believe there are many pipers out there who want to make there own reeds but have put it off because of beginning cost. I don’t want the price of cane to be a deterrent. I have TONS of these pieces and it will other wise probably go to waste. Shipping within the US would be about $12, and international shipping would be approximately $18.
So here is the photo (CD is for comparison):
Email or PM me if interested. Thank you for allowing me this commercial post.
All the best
Thanks guys. Ya this really is a great way to get a lot of good cane inexpensively. Definitely your bang for your buck. But this cane would otherwise never be used and I have SO much of it. It does me no good having this good cane sit in my garage.
hey Joe, thanks for the update, sounds like a great deal especially for folks just getting into reed making and not wanting to go through piles of top quality tubes during the learning process Well, if my progress is any indicator, I’ll be in the learning process long after I’m dead! Such is reed making…
What size cane tubes are the pieces originally from? I could use some sorted roughly for concert pitch and some for flat pitch reeds. Is this possible or is it a grab bag?
And BTW, ditto what no E added - hope you are coming to the SCUPC tionel, I’m planning on being there!
I’m very familiar with the growing and harvesting of cane. From the photo of the box of cane it looks right to me, especially with the CD below the box to judge by.
sorry I didn’t reply sooner. I was out of town last weekend.
Jason- thank you so much for the great endorsement. I’m amazed and humbled that the reed making is going so great for you with the cane! By your picture and comment, it looks like you really are doing well. Keep it up. We still need to meet up someday if I’m ever out in AZ or you in Bakersfield. I’ll have you show me your reed making process. I wonder how different it is from my own. I’ll bring the cane you bring the beverages.
Larry (No E) and John (J-dub)- thanks for the encouragement and invite to the Tionol. It would be so much fun and I’d love to see you guys again, however I won’t be able to come down this year. The mrs. and I are expecting our first baby in about 2 weeks and will be VERY busy by the time the Tionol roles around. (BTW, it’s a girl! The first in my family in 3 generations. Her name is going to be Elizabeth Maeve.) Needless to say we are extremely excited and busy getting everything ready. But hopefully next year.
As far as what size diameter pieces go in each box, it varies overall. But I would say it comes out approximately 60/40 bigger concert size to smaller flat pitch size. Like Ted and others said, you can always tell what the diameter was by using a template. Hope that answers your question
Congratulations, Joseph! I enjoyed meeting you at last year’s tionól, and there’s always next year. As long as the swallows (and pipers) keep returning to Capistrano.
Received my box-full of quarter and half-tube cane pieces last week. A very impressive selection and quantity, excellent value for money. Thanks for the great service Joseph.
I wanted to first, say thank you to everyone who has ordered either a box or tubes. I really do appreciate it.
Secondly, with the amount of boxes and tubes ordered, I am endeavoring to get all of the orders filled before the baby comes either next week or thereafter. Thank you for your patience and understanding! I will get everyone’s order filled and shipped as soon as possible.
(I saying this not because anyone has complained, but because I haven’t been able to finish orders as timely as I would want to.)
Thanks again. The extra income has been a real blessing!
all the best
I’ve a goodly store of cane I harvested a couple of years ago. Good for drone reeds but not chanter reeds. My point is I always tried to harvest during a new moon when the cane was highest in moisture content. It seems to have worked. Just trying to share Information!
