I have begun the unholy journey of learning to make reeds, having read Mr Heggarty’s book and watched the NPU DVD. THe first three attempts were a miserable failure, cracking the blades every time. Now, I chose to start with a regulator reed because I have not received the materials I ordered (mandrels and drill rod) for weeks and weeks, so I was able to cobble together a 1/8 mandrel to take a stab at a reg. I also chose using French cane ( more weeks of waiting) because my pal Bill McKenty said he liked Mr Rogge’s reeds and on the DVD Andreas siad he preferred French cane. Ok… let’s give it a try. Well, it is tough as nails and splits with glee. I will hopefully conquer all this eventually, BUT:
Would some kind reedmaker be willing to make a chanter and regulator reed ( he said, enticingly waving money in the air) for pastoral pipes so that I could at least START to learn these things after so many months of doing nothing? I will happily provide the dimensions of the existing dead reeds. I don’t want to beg, but.. hell.. I will… grovel grovel
Bear in mind that it’s impossible (or at least, useless) for a reedmaker to make reeds for a set of pipes which he or she doesn’t have to hand. They are mostly not interchangeable (though now and then you may get lucky). Exceptions are: the original maker of the set (one hopes), or in the case of sets of well-known and consistent character; even then, you get better results tuning the reed to the specific chanter/drones.
There is once source for French cane that offers correct diameters (23-25mm) for concert chanter reeds. Unlike most other cane from France, this product quality has been consistently very good… meaning the cane hasn’t been too hard.
I just bought the last of the concert chanter cane they had available, but it is a featured product and they will be offering more in the future. Keep checking back, or email Guy Hardy ( studio@proboe.com ) to inquire when the next batch ought to be ready. Also, let him know that you are looking for cane that is a little softer than standard woodwind fare.
That reminds me, I’ve been waiting for an order of chanter cane since last June. He told me it would be ready ‘this Fall’ (ie Fall 2005) which if my understanding of hemispheres is correct, it should have been here late last year. It’s been paid for and all. Another email to remind him is in order. I hope that ‘last of the concert cane they had available’ you write about wasn’t my batch
Interesting, but I do not think that it is. For one thing, he has been holding onto that cane for a year or so (or longer). I first contacted him about last spring.
Are you certain you’re not waiting for the next batch of bassoon cane (25mm)?
Well actually that is my source of the French cane I tried.
I have since been contacted by CHris Bayley to tell me that the pastorals in fact use baroque oboe cane reed ( smaller diameter) so all my efforts with
the French schtuff has been a waste. Bill was very much correct in this case, there is evidently only ONE type of reed that will work in these. I may be looking to sell a few tubes quite soon.. to finance my yet further adventures in trying to get these damned things to toot. The one advantage to the situation is that I am hoping that I can use pre-gouged oboe cane.. now wouldn’t that make life easier!
Well, I’m waiting on a batch of 25mm Basson cane which he told me (last July, ie, Summer 2005 in his neck of the globe) that it would be ready to ship ‘this fall’ (ie, August Sept or Oct last year).
I am using Neuranter which is working for me. It comes out at about 60% (medium hard) on the dunk test. If you e-mail the guy he may have a softer cane if you need it.
, I was so busy grovelling in the dirt I forgot to sign…
The one advantage to the situation is that I am hoping that I can use pre-gouged oboe cane.. now wouldn’t that make life easier!