modifying GHB reed to Bp reed

[mikepipe]

Is it possible to make Borderpipe reed of GHB reed..or does it need different size of staple etc.

[Shawn Husk]

It can and has been done. Best bet is to thin the whole reed down a lot from the sound box up to just shy of the tip. A straight cut reed will work best.

Get some wire and put a bridle on it and continue to thin it down as you go.

[Seth]

With Border reeds readily available from Megarity and Scot's Highland you always have the option to purchase one. I've found that "easy" Soutar and "Medium" Warnock reeds are very good specimens to manipulate with many other makers reeds being a useless waste for this task although retaining their abilities as a Highland reed just fine. I personally add a bridle and close down the lips and see where I'm at before I start scraping or sanding. The target is 10-13 " of water and may he a bit more for a mouthblown set. If it's too strong then I start scraping along the sides with a razor-blade angled as if the middle of the reed was an A-frame section of a house. I avoid the tips and do my best to leave the soundbox and mid-section alone. If all else fails, contact Stephen Megarity.

Seth

[Seth]

Also forgot to add that PipeDreams makes a border Chanter reed as well.
Does anyone know of another source? Seth

[Klondike Waldo]

Yes, it can be done, and if you own a copy of "More Power To Your Elbow" (which you should, BTW), you'll find instruction by Colin Ross on how to do that in the reed making appendix.

However, it may not work on every Lowland/Border chanter, as som edo require specific staples. (Swayne Border and Lowland chanters (two different beasties, BTW) use modified oboe staples.

[Klondike Waldo]

Originally Posted by Seth

Also forgot to add that PipeDreams makes a border Chanter reed as well.
Does anyone know of another source? Seth

Nate Banton, Iain Allen, Malcolm MacLaren...

[Nate Banton]

Originally Posted by Klondike Waldo

Nate Banton, Iain Allen, Malcolm MacLaren...

I do make all the chanter reeds for my chanters, but I don't sell reeds for other makes of pipes.

I don't doubt that it's possible to make a border reed from a GHB reed for my chanters, but I wouldn't be happy with the results. The make of chanters that I know and enjoy all use staples different from GHB reeds. Makers use these staples for good reason. If you want the best results possible, you should use a staple of the correct dimensions.

So... you can take apart an old reed from your maker, take apart the GHB reed, tie the GHB head on the old reed's staple, and then do your scraping and bridle thing as above.

If any one of my customers wants to know about making reeds and an easy place to get staples, contact me.

[Bill Carr]

I have done this by changing the staple on the GHB reed and carefully sanding the cane to get right strength. Its very hit and miss and I went though quite a few reeds before I found one that worked.. but even then it was not the very best sound.

Bill