I started a thread the other day about squawks I was getting going from the back D down to the bottom D. Got some great advice. But I started playing around and put a small dental elastic band around my reed blades just between where the copper bridle sits and the end of the reed. I’ll have to say that I was very happy with the result. The back D came in tune with not nearly as much pressure that was required without the band. And the squawk went away.
Kevin Rowesome did that to one o his grandads reeds a few years back.I think he did it with an ordinary band if my memory serves me.Anyways it didnae harm the playability.
I have used rubber O rings on chanter and drone reeds with great success. Of course, it can be accompanied by a traditional hemp bridle too. These little blighters work great, won’t slide on you and adjust in a second. Plus, they come in so many different sizes. They’re simply magic!
Both work well. The o-rings have a round profile and the elastic bands square. The o-rings roll a little easier for tuning, and might exert a little too much force on the reed if not sized right. True Value Hardware, in the U.S., usually carries an assortmant of o-rings in various sizes. I got some elastic bands from my dentist. They seem a little more forgiving. Drug stores used to carry these, but not anymore, at least around here. Anyone know a commercial source?
Sheep farmers use rubber O rings to castrate male spring lambs.The ring is placed on the scrotum above the balls and. as the lamb grows it cuts off the blood suppy to the nuts and the jacobs fall off.
