Chiff and Fipple Forums

I have successfully used phragmites for drone reeds. You can find thicker walled quills if you have the quantity of available canethat I did. Even the thinner stuff made decent reeds as long as you didn't squeeze them too hard. Never found any large enough for chanter reeds.

Rich

I have a chance to get a little red mangrove lumber. Has anyone any experience with it? It seems quite heavy. How would it do for a chanter?

All useful information. I read somewhere that the variegated variety wasn't as good for reeds. Good to get another opinion. Thanks!

Rich

Thanks for the input! I'm not getting too high-tech on this. The bag I got says "cow manure compost. Already added a little peat moss to help keep them moist in this sand. My patches are located in Florida. Each winter has been milder and milder. If the base size is an indication of the final d...

Is anything to be gained by using fertilizer while growing Arundo donax? It's only about seven inches tall right now. I'm hoping for cane large enough for chanter reeds. Just in case I don't get any advice one way or another, two patches are going in. One will have it and one won't. My results will ...

The Jefferies practice set mentioned above is clearly meant for a left handed player, from the position of the blowpipe stock.

Sounds like lifting the tongues up slightly was all you needed.

I love all the Irish tunes that sound so great on the pipes. Anyone ever try anything done by the Moody Blues?

Watch "Hollow Mainstock Upgrade, Uilleann Pipes" on YouTube. That should point you in the right direction.

Received the Howard chanter about an hour ago. It came in a nice container that I plan on keeping it safe in when not being played. My David Daye penny chanter top fits it like it was made for it without having to adjust the hemp. Two of the reeds I have on hand sound like the are going to work out ...

Good for you Fergus. I missed out on the three un-drilled D chanters. Listed and sold after I signed off.

Seems my D Howard chanter turned into a C or C# before being shipped. Have to wait for it to arrive before seeking further reed advice.

Thanks much for those Howard reed specs. Sure that will help all of us that picked these chanters up. Hoping it sounds perfect in my Bruce De Vu bag.

I ended up with one of the Howard chanters in D. Thanks for the heads up, David. Missed out on the first batch. Thirty pounds including shipping is a steal. Might need some pointers on voicing it after it arrives. Any suggestions on finding reeds for it?

Bruce De Vu? Like the long tenon on the blowpipe.