Brian Howard's off the shelf reeds

[cbarber]

This isn't an advertising feature but I thought it only fair to sing the praises of Brian's "off the shelf" reeds. Having had 3 concert pitch chanters, (a Matt Kiernan, a Jimmy Moloney and a Ray Sloane)which I had had great difficulty in reeding - somewhat in desperation I sent off for 3 of Brian Howard's ready made reeds and incredibly (and I mean this!) having fitted them without any "fettling", they worked perfectly and in tune throughout the range in all three chanters.

So having had many years of exasperation when trying to buy reeds, I can heartily recommend Brian's ready made reeds!

[djimbo]

So having had many years of exasperation when trying to buy reeds, I can heartily recommend Brian's ready made reeds!

Hiya Chris. Fairly long time no see!
I've had many years of exasperation too
I wonder if one would work in mine

jim.

[cbarber]

Hope all is well with you, well you can but try one of Brian's reeds, have a look at www.howardmusic.co.uk or try ringing him on 0114 296 7273.

All the best

Chris

[teirw]

I know Brian has been (further) developing the staples. I guess these reeds must be on the latest staples. I haven't had the chance to visit for a year or so now but I must make the time soon!

[Tony]

....... a Ray Sloane)which I had had great difficulty in reeding.......

Honest question... why?

I've always heard the opposite.

Here is a link to such a claim:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=25598

...It has a beautiful tone and is easy to "reed."...

and another:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=31335

...I was able to make several reeds which work well...

[Tony]

.........a Matt Kiernan.....which I had had great difficulty in reeding.....

.....Years ago I started on a Kiernan practise-set. It played suberbly and is "bang-on" to reed.....

http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=26830

[cbarber]

Well there's quite a tale here. I originally bought the chanter off Matt when I visited him sometime in the 80s and it had his reed in it which worked perfectly. I also bought a Bb off him too, all for the princely sum of £25 for both.


I had both chanters for a few years and then lent them to a pipemaker to copy the dimensions. Sadly while he had these in his possession, he passed away, a sad loss to us all but unfortunately when I came to ask for the chanters back, they had been sold on as part of his estate and no record of where. To cut a long story short, I was playing in a pub in Sheffield a couple of years back and a piper who I hadn't met for many years came over and said that he had something which he thought was mine - the concert pitch chanter! Anyway after profuse thanks etc. I got it back but the reed wasn't Matt's and I just couldn't find a reed to suit it until I tried one of Brian's, hence the post on the forum. Incidentally I never did find the Bb chanter!

[cbarber]

perhaps I gave the wrong impression. His chanter is a work of art and does reed very easily as a rule. It's just that I was very surprised that Brian's reed worked so well and was considerably louder that the original of Ray's. A matter of taste, I suppose.

Chris Barber

[psychodonald]

Chris: as you know, I sent for a reed from Howard Music in Sheffield, England and I received it yesterday. Right off of the shelf, right out of the envelope, wonder of wonders, it works great!!!!! As you may recall, I've had problems reeding a Neil O'Grady chanter. What a pleasure and a relief to finally have a reed that works. I'm going to order a second one tomorrow. Frankly, it is like Christmas all over again. Thank you so much for the suggestion, it was well worth it. Don.

[Joseph E. Smith]

Frankly, it is like Christmas all over again. Thank you so much for the suggestion, it was well worth it. Don.

I love it when Christmas happens out of season! Nice to hear good things about them.

[teirw]

I was just speaking to Brian about the latest reeds and he has been sending them all over the place.I wonder how many chanters of differing makes they go in. I've tried them in six and they worked in five after slight further sanding (although these were on earlier, 2005, staples) so I must get my hands on the new ones .

[Ceann Cromtha]

After reading these posts, I decided to buy an off-the-shelf-reed from Howard Music for a new Mark Hillmann chanter I recently purchased. I was first amazed when it showed up just a few days after I ordered it (I live in Baltimore, Maryland [USA]). Secondly, I was amazed at how well it worked as soon as I tried it. I've made a few adjustments and it is now playing to my satisfaction. I plan to buy another one soon.

Dan Humphries

[Mogens Hundevad]

Hi.
I live in Denmark an have a full Howard set. I started playing in 1977, but have had a long break. 3 years ago i took up the piping again, but the chanterreed was very herd to blow, and
needed a new easy gooing one. I got my new reed to my "old" chanter, and was happy - it was just like plug and play - no ajustments at all.
This just to tel that it IS possible to get a working reed by mail.

[tommykleen]

After reading these posts, I decided to buy an off-the-shelf-reed from Howard Music for a new Mark Hillmann chanter I recently purchased. I was first amazed when it showed up just a few days after I ordered it (I live in Baltimore, Maryland [USA]). Secondly, I was amazed at how well it worked as soon as I tried it. I've made a few adjustments and it is now playing to my satisfaction. I plan to buy another one soon.

Dan Humphries

Our club has a Hillman chanter that is pitched sharp of D (closer to Eb). Is yours similar? I would like to get our chanter reeded and am encouraged that this might be an option. On the other hand, maybe Mark is not completely out of the business and could reed this chanter. You out there Mark?

T

[guille]

Just got my new reed from Howard Music, it's wonderful. Very prompt service.
Thanks Brian.