Hamon reeds in Firesides

[Rick]

I bought a set of Gibson Firesides a while back. Well made instrument, and I thought that once I got the hang of it's individual quirks, I would have an added dimension to my piping. After a brief honeymoon period, the reeds started to be trouble. I had a problem with steadiness (it's possible I don't have the proper control to keep the pressure where they like it. No problem with the GHB though.). The "shut-off" function of the stocks was a bit finicky, so I had to resort to plugs for tuning. I was reaching the point where I was starting to consider selling them, and putting the money towards a different set of pipes.
I spotted a set of Seth Hamon reeds on e-bay, and figured I'd give them a try. Turns out to have been a good choice. I really like the sound and steadiness of the reeds. Shut off with a simple tap, just like the GHB, makes tuning a lot easier. Very little fuss setting them up. Just hemped them up, made some minor adjustments to the bridles and I was up and running. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone with a set of Firesides. I'm a happy camper. Once I get the chanter reed sorted out, I'll be a very happy camper.

[RichPiotrowski]

Hi Rick,

I use Seth's reeds in my firesides too.

The drone shut off valves work better if you lube them up with wax from a toliet bowl seal.

Here's a link to some info from Gibson

http://www.facebook.com/notes/gibson...s/317692441897

Henderson's also has some good info

http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/lib...s_fireside.asp

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Rick

Once I get the chanter reed sorted out, I'll be a very happy camper.

Problem solved. I got a new chanter reed, also from Seth Hamon (no, I have no connection with him other than as a customer). It was pretty much plug and play. I am indeed happy again with the sound of the Firesides.

[PSoutowood]

Glad it got sorted. Those double-bladed Gibson drone reeds are really horrible and make you think you've regressed years in your playing ability. Out of curiousity, are the reed seats in your firesides conical? I have Gibson Ceilidh pipes and had some trouble getting Seth's drone reeds to sit snugly in there because the cone tapered so steeply in the drones that the reeds wanted to wobble out.

-Peter

[Steve Anderson]

Which reeds in particular are they? I used Seths reeds in most of my pipes - based on his reed availability - but never in smallpipes.

[PSoutowood]

I don't know if they have a type, it's the custom ones he makes for Ceilidh and Fireside pipes. Nice reeds and steady!

-Peter

[Rick]

Originally Posted by PSoutowood

Out of curiousity, are the reed seats in your firesides conical? -Peter

I don't have a small enough caliper to check for sure, but they appear to have a slight taper, nothing steep at all. I had no trouble getting the reeds to seat properly

[RichPiotrowski]

Originally Posted by Rick

I don't have a small enough caliper to check for sure, but they appear to have a slight taper, nothing steep at all. I had no trouble getting the reeds to seat properly

When I first switched over to Hamon reeds I had a similar problem with the reeds coming loose. I had to add a little more waxed hemp to the reeds and then install them more firmly. Haven't had any problems since.

At least the shut off valves on the firesides prevent the drone reeds from falling into the bag.

[alsrx]

Where can the Hamon reeds be ordered from?

[RichPiotrowski]

Originally Posted by alsrx

Where can the Hamon reeds be ordered from?

Here's Seth's website

http://swedishbagpipes.com/