Ordering Pipe Chanter Reeds
by Ian Lyons
Some things to consider when ordering new pipe chanter reeds
There are a few things to consider before ordering new pipe chanter reeds. Brand and Strength are the two main things to consider, and then the brand and type of pipe chanter that the reeds are going to be played in.
Order at least 3 pipe chanter reeds at a time!
We would always advise to purchase at least 3 pipe chanter reeds at a time. Being made from cane, pipe chanter reeds can be fickle and sometimes difficult to set up, considering all the variables in the making of a pipe chanter reed and also the suitability for you as a player, both in strength and sound quality. The reason we suggest at least 3 reeds is because this gives you options and choices with which reed to choose to play, and also allows you to keep a spare or two in case anything goes wrong. The other reason is because we can never guarantee that an order for 1 reed is going to be suitable.
We recommend when ordering that you let us know the strength you require. We test every reed in a chanter before sending it out to the customer. The strengths to state when placing your order are:-
Very Easy / Easy / Easy to Medium / Medium / Medium to Strong / Strong / Very Strong
Each brand of pipe chanter reed will be made to suit, or be more suitable, to a different function. Some reeds are suitable for pipe bands and others more suitable to solo piping. Some reeds are suitable for both. Check the description of each individual pipe chanter reed on the pipe chanter reeds page.
Brand of Pipe Chanter
It is helpful for us to also know the brand and age of your pipe chanter so we can test the reeds in that chanter, if we have one at hand.
Pipe chanter reeds are generally made to suit the most current pipe chanters. For example, a reedmaker may be making their chanter reeds to suit the most recent version of their own chanter. Other reed makers are generally making reeds to suit the most current pipe chanters.
If you are looking for reeds to suit older versions of pipe chanters, then you are always going to be confronted with a different, and sometimes difficult, set of variables. The change to playing at a higher pitch in the last few years has meant that pipe chanter reeds have evolved to accomodate this. The most current pipe chanter reeds in an older chanter will present with sharp top-hand notes in comparison to flatter bottom-hand notes. The older the chanter, the more pronounced this will be!
Remember that we can only test chanter reeds in a pipe chanter that we have on hand, so the variables become greather if we can't test the chanter reeds in the pipe chanter that you have!
Any Questions:- sales@lyonsbagpipes.com
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