Reed dimensions - Rowsome Style 'D'

[omarapiping]

I have attempted some reeds from the Dave Hegarty book to varying degrees of success. I have been following his technique and dimensions fairly closely. I can get playable reeds, but the tone is just not there. Fairly sure the canes OK (US stuff, gouges nice).

The current reed is 79mm overall, 13.1mm head width and using a 4.75mm hobby tube staple and its a ripper (not mine), but I get the impression it may be nearing the end of it's natural life.

Does anyone have some success stories with other dimensions?

By the way, the chanter is a McKenzie concert 'D'.

Liam

[amckay]

Hey Liam

Depends on what vintage mackenzie chanter you have. I know he has a few different reed measurements depending on which chanter dimensions he used. Might be worth giving Ian a quick call to find out.

Andrew

[omarapiping]

Will do for sure, just wanted to see what else was out there in terms of dimension combo's.

Mine was made in 2003, but Ian put a diferent reamer in it in 2006 when I got my regs. Since then its been excellent (at the time I think he said something like "if this goes bad I'll just make you a new one.."). That comment was made whilst I had my head within 1 inch of the drive belt of the lathe applying weight to the motor for some unknown reason.

Liam

[rorybbellows]

(at the time I think he said something like "if this goes bad I'll just make you a new one.."). That comment was made whilst I had my head within 1 inch of the drive belt of the lathe

Liam

Thats a good one. Did he mean he was going to make you a new head ?

RORY

[Chris Bayley]

From a unknown make of reed in a Leo Rowsome chanter

Staple had a slight taper towards head. Head was tapered and tip had corners clipped
Overall length 82mm
Wrapping length 58mm
Staple length (approx) 52mm
Staple ID at bottom End 4.8mm
Head (tapered) 24mm
Scrape "U" shape 21mm
Width at top of head 13mm
Width of head at wrappings 7.5mm
Tails (under wrappings) 30mm
Reed inserted into chanter 9mm

[omarapiping]

Cheers Chris,

Thats a longer staple than I have been working with. I'll give these a run and see what comes out. Will measure up and photograph what's in there now for interested parties.


I think at most all I would have needed was an eye, some cheek reconstruction. Maybe some teeth.....

Liam

[Fergmaun]

My reed dimensions for my Andreas Rogge D wide bore chanter base on chanter by Leo Rowsome.

Tube of cane 23, 24, 25, 26 mm
Slip 110 mm length
Head width 12.5 to 13 mm
Head length around 28 to 30 mm
Tails 25 mm length
Staple brass hobby tubing 50 mm length by 1.2 mm eye by 4 mm id/5 mm od
Staple in tails 22 mm length
Strape length starts 4 to 5 mm above binding = 25 to 26 mm
Over all length 77-83 mm
Sanding block 70mm
Sand paper 120, 180, 240, 600
Ashley Iles In-cannel gouges No CS1 or No 4 for the main gouging
Ashley Iles In-cannel gouges No 6 for gouging tone chamber in tails.
Bridle sheet copper 0.5mm thickness

My reed by Alan Burton OAL 79mm by 12.5mm wide by 30mm head length by scrape 25mm
My reed by Allan Moller OAL 77mm by 13mm wide by 28.5mm head length by scrape 24mm

Evertjan 't Hart has two great websites
http://www.hartdd.com/reedmaking/Intro.html
http://www.hartdd.com/reed/

Cheers

Ferg