I was recently informed by a respectable maker that the most probable reason that my chanter (not by said maker) can’t produce a solid back D is because the whole thing is slightly warped. What are the options, aside from getting a new one (not an option, financially)? Is this something that should be under warranty? Is surgery viable? Ideas?
What does the maker say?
If it´s under warranty, new chanter. Of course.
A warped chanter is probably not the reason. It is more likely that the throat is too big for the strength of the chanter reed. Sometimes constricting the throat, adding bell rush, or making a stronger reed can help.
so, for a softer reed, i’d need the throat to be narrower?
All of the non-destructive suggestions are worth a try. Sometimes, the smallest reduction of size in the staple is worth a try. An old remedy is to put a small needle in the staple affixed with a tiny bit of sticky wax or blu-tac. This might allow a soft reed and save the back ‘D’. Nearly the same effect can be achieved with a very thin rolled piece of paper in the throat.
Often makers must scallop, or undercut a chanter to bring in a stable back ‘D’. I’d not recommend this myself, but a very slight perturbation on the intended profile of the bore near the back ‘D’, brought on by the warping could explain your present difficulty.
By all means contact the original maker.
Bob
Oh, I TOTALLY misread your original post. The suggestions I made were for a problematic hard d. For a back d, I wouldn’t have a clue unless I examined the chanter and reed. Many times, it is the reed that is at fault. Any little leak in the seat, wrapping, or edges, as well as any asymmetry or overscraping of the lips or blades of the reed can destroy the proper back d response. If all of those possibilities are ruled out, I would look into the size, placement, or lack of undercutting on the top side of the back d. In any case, a problematic back d is not going to be caused by a warped chanter.
depends woodtype… for.ex. even boxwood bends, the internal bore still stays original size
great. now I have completely differing opinions on this. what to do? i’m inclined to think it’s a placement/size/undercutting issue, but i’m no expert. should I send it to a 3rd maker?
Can you send it to the original maker?
probably, but for reasons I probably shouldn’t discuss in the open, I’d like to have a better understanding of the problem first.
You could try raising the bridle slightly. This will strengthen the back d but will open up the reed so you may need to close it a bit also.
Thanks, but I’ve been through all the usual bridle adjustments, reed seat adjustments, etc. And the reeds all have very well sealed edges.
Thanks, but I’ve been through all the usual bridle adjustments, reed seat adjustments, etc. And the reeds all have very well sealed edges.
Just a thought,
Check and see if the reed is sitting straight in the reed seat of the chanter.
If the reed is not sitting straight, sometimes the tip of the reed can rub off the inside wall of the chanter top and cause funny back D problems among others.
I don’t think a slight warp in a chanter would cause great tuning or tonal issues. I’d say the amount of warping required to create bore adjustments to cause back D problems would be enough to cause cracking too!
Also very low humidity this time of year can result in weak back D’s too. Make sure the room you practise in and store your pipes is at least 30-35% humidity.
Tommy
Has the “respectable maker” inspected your chanter or was he going on what you told him?
Also, has the back D always been problematic or is this recent?
@ Tom - it’ s definitely not the reed cap. This problem has happened with many reeds, all seated properly, in many climates.
@ PJ - yes, the other pipemaker has it in his possession while trying (unsuccessfully) to reed it. It has had this problem for a couple years since I got it, but I had assumed that it was my fault an I just hadn’t adjusted things right.
Do you have photos of the chanter or maybe a sound clip?
Not at the moment. The chanter is somewhere between the pipemaker who was trying to reed it and the original maker who agreed to look at it (hopefully.)