Cleaning up old pipes?

[Shawn Husk]

Originally Posted by TheAmericanScot

That's what I've been hearing, I've been scouring the web for a reed that would work well with this chanter, as there are two hopefuls; a Gilmour reed that the Henderson group recommended and I went to Shawn Husk to purchase a reed as well. Hopefully there will be a successor from my Shepherd Bb. After putting the Shepherd Reed in I found that the chanter ran at 445 Hz on the tuner, and getting the old drones in tune was an unsuccessful chore at first. It kind of feels like getting an old Model T in running shape again lol

I'll do my best. I have an old Lawrie here and I'll get it as close as possible for you but these chanters from Lawrie were never well respected in the past from all the information I have, and they varied wildly. But you can be assured that the reed will be playable and with good volume and hopefully with some taping you'll be able to get it where you want it.

[Pppiper]

Originally Posted by Lochaberaxe

The problem with an old chanter is the scale that is really different than today especially with the C and the E.

Usually vintage chanter reeds are made with longer staples of 1 inch.

I find this interesting, and gives me an idea. Please pardon what I hope isn't a moronic question on my part, but if this is the case, then might it stand to reason that if I were to take the wrapping off of one of my normal GHB reeds ... I might be able to roll a longer staple for the reed, and redo the wrapping to put it back together again?

I have an A-440 chanter, and I've also had a bit of trouble getting reeds to behave with in ... especially with the E.

Cheers.

[CalumII]

Here's a quick sketch from around the 1920s of a GHB reed. It was sketched by an Uilleann pipemaker in the US so likely a copy of the standard dimensions of the day. It's a couple of mm longer than a modern reed, so seems not unreasonable.

http://imgur.com/cq7MsbS

[Pppiper]

Originally Posted by CalumII

Here's a quick sketch from around the 1920s of a GHB reed. It was sketched by an Uilleann pipemaker in the US so likely a copy of the standard dimensions of the day. It's a couple of mm longer than a modern reed, so seems not unreasonable.

http://imgur.com/cq7MsbS

Right on, thank you!

[MFIC]

I have full ivory Robertsons from the 1950s. They sat in the box for 10 years lying against the old (1988) L&M bag. The ivory actually got stuck to the bag. Now there are ugly brown stains on the ivory. How do i get them clean?

[Pppiper]

Originally Posted by MFIC

I have full ivory Robertsons from the 1950s. They sat in the box for 10 years lying against the old (1988) L&M bag. The ivory actually got stuck to the bag. Now there are ugly brown stains on the ivory. How do i get them clean?

I'd contact Ringo Bowen. He can advise you on the best course of action, and is an all-around great guy.

ronjbowen@gmail.com

https://www.thebagpipeplace.com/

https://www.thebagpipemuseum.com/

Cheers,
~Nate

[Glenurquhart]

Originally Posted by MFIC

I have full ivory Robertsons from the 1950s. They sat in the box for 10 years lying against the old (1988) L&M bag. The ivory actually got stuck to the bag. Now there are ugly brown stains on the ivory. How do i get them clean?

This is interesting, I did not know how long it takes for an old bag in contact with ivory to stain the latter permanently. I am afraid that those stains are irreversible depending on how deep they go, they can actually "burn" the material substantially. The only way, in this case, would be to remove the external layer on a lathe but this will alter the profile of the mounts.

[Glenurquhart]

Originally Posted by Pppiper

I'd contact Ringo Bowen. He can advise you on the best course of action, and is an all-around great guy.

ronjbowen@gmail.com

https://www.thebagpipeplace.com/

https://www.thebagpipemuseum.com/

Cheers,
~Nate

Yes, he is indeed!

[HighlandPark]

Originally Posted by MFIC

I have full ivory Robertsons from the 1950s. They sat in the box for 10 years lying against the old (1988) L&M bag. The ivory actually got stuck to the bag. Now there are ugly brown stains on the ivory. How do i get them clean?

There are tons of vintage ivory sets out there with the unmistakable stains of old, sticky, leather bags on the mounts -- the stains are indeed permanent but add character and are part of the history of the pipes -- embrace them!

[Pip01]

Originally Posted by HighlandPark

There are tons of vintage ivory sets out there with the unmistakable stains of old, sticky, leather bags on the mounts -- the stains are indeed permanent but add character and are part of the history of the pipes -- embrace them!

Indeed!! :)

And as with 1st Class military uniforms... and the smaller
stripes down on the arm... called "hash marks"... that tell of
Time... and Special Service... they are to be greatly regarded!!