Chanter reed suggestions for 1977 Kintail

[Tom3353]

Hello, I'm looking for suggestions on Pipe chanter reeds. I just started playing again after about 23 yrs. Was in a band and learned back in 1988. Played for about 3-4 yrs. and then life got in the way! Played long enough 10 yrs. ago just to relearn a tune for our son's wedding. Started again in 2012 but had a cracked blowpipe so sent them to Kintail, (pipes are ABW, Kintail, chalice top drones, with original chanter with the nice big sole!! Made in 1977.) Got them back but didn't play for long, Life again!! Just took early retirement at 62 because carpentry was beating me up too bad. Have been playing almost everyday for about a month. Kintail set me up, while they were there, with Selbie drone reeds, I love them. I need a new chanter reed so am looking for suggestion. Make, type, strength etc. I am a solo, at home only player. It's been a while since I bought one and trying to avoid the trial and error thing! I realize everyone has an opinion and that I may get quite a few, but that's ok. Thanks to all.

[Rojellio]

I would ask for an EASY reed. Or to use modern slang.. 22-25 Inches. "Easy", Med" and "hard" aren't just words that have no particular meaning anymore. There was a time when you hoped that your dealer / reedmaker had the same guestimation of what "Easy" or Med" means.

If you want them extremely easy, the easiest S.O.B. (straight outta box) Reed I know is a green wrap McCann ridgecut ( 1X easy 16-18") . If you ask Shawn Husk for the "easiest reed he will put his name on", he will send you a very manageable 20" reed.

[jd3214]

If you are looking for an excellent sounding reed that is easy to blow and is true and will suit most modern changers, give David Caldwell a try. Get the DC2 reed. You won't be sorry.

[jd3214]

Also, get yourself a teacher. He/she might help to keep you motivated this time.

[Klondike Waldo]

Tom, as I understand it, you are looking for a reed for your 1977 Kintail chanter, and you're not in a band, am I right? That chanter probably likes to play at a slightly ( or more than slightly) lower pitch than most mosern band chanters. I'm playing a 1979 Gillanders and McLeod set with the original McLeod chanter, which tunes at concert B flat ( or sometimes as high as 20 cents sharp of true B flat, alternating with an older, modified Hardie chanter that tues at B flat or slightly lower. I am also currently playing Selbie drone reeds. What works for me as chanter reeds are Apps G3, EZEE_PC, HarrisReedz (No longer made, alas) MacPhee- all molded type reeds, all medium easy or easy. I have never liked ridge-cut reeds in my older chanters- YMMV.


Right now I'm playing a reed made by John Cameron from Ft William, now Falkirk. My back-up chanter reed is another John Cameron reed. John is better known for his sheepskin bags and tells me he's not making reeds for sale any more.

Short version- you'd do best with an easy to medium reed in that old Kintail chanter.

(Tom, I'm also in Massachusetts. Feel free to PM me anytime if I can be of any help.)