[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-07-10 Thread Anthony Robb

   Hello John
   Interesting stuff but perhaps it should be pointed out that reed cane
   (Arundo Donax) is a much slower growing relative of Bamboo (max 5cm per
   day at its peak compared to Bamboo's 60cm). Also, the variations
   observed are radial rather than longitudinal i.e. in slips which are
   equidistant from the nodes, so that's why the south/north suggestion
   arose.
   As aye
   Anthony
   --- On Fri, 9/7/10, bri...@aol.com  wrote:

 From: bri...@aol.com 
 Subject: [NSP] Re: Reeds
 To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu
 Date: Friday, 9 July, 2010, 20:12

   In Trinidad there is a tradition to only cut bamboo on "Dark nights',
   otherwise it will quickly be destroyed by insects.   Research shows
   that more photosynthesis occurs when the moon is shining so that there
   is a greater accumulation of starch ( a favourite food of insects) when
   the moon is shining.   I think that the timing for cutting the bamboo
   will affact the density more than any differnce between North and south
   sides.   The cane closest to the nodes will be harder and denser than
   material taken from between the nodes.
On a lighter note I once met a Bamboo specialist who found that it
   was difficult to construct structures with round bamboo. so he made
   some steel moulrs and grew the bamboo through these to produce square
   sectioned bamboo.  It worked but was not a commercial success.
For more technical information there is a May 1980 book " Bamboo
   Research in Asia" published by the IDRC in Ottawa
   John Bridges
   -Original Message-
   From: Gibbons, John <[1]j.gibb...@imperial.ac.uk>
   To: [2]...@cs.dartmouth.edu <[3]...@cs.dartmouth.edu>
   Sent: Fri, Jul 9, 2010 9:21 am
   Subject: [NSP] Re: Reeds
   Anthony's comments about adjacent slips from the same piece of cane
   made me
   onder if the north and south side of the cane would be of differing
   elasticity
   r density??
   Variation with height is clearer, of course.
   John
   -Original Message-
   rom: [4]lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu [mailto:[5]lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu]
   On Behalf Of
   rancis Wood
   ent: 09 July 2010 14:00
   o: Anthony Robb
   c: Dartmouth NPS; [6]neihutch...@yahoo.com
   ubject: [NSP] Re: Reeds
   n 9 Jul 2010, at 13:38, Anthony Robb wrote:
   > I have looked at the resources you list but have found that Mike
  Nelson's methods give by far the best results.
   Hello again . . . yes, you're right. I certainly should have included
   Mike's
   ages at:
   [7]http://www.machineconcepts.co.uk/smallpipes/reeds.htm#chanter
   I agree too that there are so many variables in all of this. Samples of
   cane
   rom the same batch and even the same stem can differ greatly, the
   density and
   ardness depending on the height the piece is cut from.
   Incidentally I made a surprisingly good reed from a Coke can a month or
   so ago.
   urther attempts demonstrated that even Coke cans vary a lot.
   Cheers,
   rancis
   o get on or off this list see list information at
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References

   1. http://uk.mc862.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=j.gibb...@imperial.ac.uk
   2. http://uk.mc862.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=...@cs.dartmouth.edu
   3. http://uk.mc862.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=...@cs.dartmouth.edu
   4. http://uk.mc862.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu
   5. http://uk.mc862.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu
   6. http://uk.mc862.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=neihutch...@yahoo.com
   7. http://www.machineconcepts.co.uk/smallpipes/reeds.htm#chanter
   8. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html



[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-07-09 Thread brimor



In Trinidad there is a tradition to only cut bamboo on "Dark nights', otherwise 
it will quickly be destroyed by insects.   Research shows that more 
photosynthesis occurs when the moon is shining so that there is a greater 
accumulation of starch ( a favourite food of insects) when the moon is shining. 
  I think that the timing for cutting the bamboo will affact the density more 
than any differnce between North and south sides.   The cane closest to the 
nodes will be harder and denser than material taken from between the nodes.
 On a lighter note I once met a Bamboo specialist who found that it was 
difficult to construct structures with round bamboo. so he made some steel 
moulrs and grew the bamboo through these to produce square sectioned bamboo.  
It worked but was not a commercial success.
 For more technical information there is a May 1980 book " Bamboo Research 
in Asia" published by the IDRC in Ottawa

John Bridges




-Original Message-
From: Gibbons, John 
To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu 
Sent: Fri, Jul 9, 2010 9:21 am
Subject: [NSP] Re: Reeds


 Anthony's comments about adjacent slips from the same piece of cane made me 
onder if the north and south side of the cane would be of differing elasticity 
r density??
Variation with height is clearer, of course.
John
-Original Message-
rom: lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu [mailto:lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu] On Behalf Of 
rancis Wood
ent: 09 July 2010 14:00
o: Anthony Robb
c: Dartmouth NPS; neihutch...@yahoo.com
ubject: [NSP] Re: Reeds

n 9 Jul 2010, at 13:38, Anthony Robb wrote:
> I have looked at the resources you list but have found that Mike
   Nelson's methods give by far the best results.
Hello again . . . yes, you're right. I certainly should have included Mike's 
ages at:
http://www.machineconcepts.co.uk/smallpipes/reeds.htm#chanter
I agree too that there are so many variables in all of this. Samples of cane 
rom the same batch and even the same stem can differ greatly, the density and 
ardness depending on the height the piece is cut from.
Incidentally I made a surprisingly good reed from a Coke can a month or so ago. 
urther attempts demonstrated that even Coke cans vary a lot.
Cheers,
rancis


o get on or off this list see list information at
ttp://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html




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[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-07-09 Thread Gibbons, John
 Anthony's comments about adjacent slips from the same piece of cane made me 
wonder if the north and south side of the cane would be of differing elasticity 
or density??

Variation with height is clearer, of course.

John

-Original Message-
From: lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu [mailto:lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu] On Behalf Of 
Francis Wood
Sent: 09 July 2010 14:00
To: Anthony Robb
Cc: Dartmouth NPS; neihutch...@yahoo.com
Subject: [NSP] Re: Reeds


On 9 Jul 2010, at 13:38, Anthony Robb wrote:

> I have looked at the resources you list but have found that Mike
>   Nelson's methods give by far the best results.

Hello again . . . yes, you're right. I certainly should have included Mike's 
pages at:

http://www.machineconcepts.co.uk/smallpipes/reeds.htm#chanter

I agree too that there are so many variables in all of this. Samples of cane 
from the same batch and even the same stem can differ greatly, the density and 
hardness depending on the height the piece is cut from.

Incidentally I made a surprisingly good reed from a Coke can a month or so ago. 
Further attempts demonstrated that even Coke cans vary a lot.

Cheers,
Francis




To get on or off this list see list information at
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html




[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-07-09 Thread Francis Wood

On 9 Jul 2010, at 13:38, Anthony Robb wrote:

> I have looked at the resources you list but have found that Mike
>   Nelson's methods give by far the best results.

Hello again . . . yes, you're right. I certainly should have included Mike's 
pages at:

http://www.machineconcepts.co.uk/smallpipes/reeds.htm#chanter

I agree too that there are so many variables in all of this. Samples of cane 
from the same batch and even the same stem can differ greatly, the density and 
hardness depending on the height the piece is cut from.

Incidentally I made a surprisingly good reed from a Coke can a month or so ago. 
Further attempts demonstrated that even Coke cans vary a lot.

Cheers,
Francis




To get on or off this list see list information at
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html


[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-07-09 Thread Anthony Robb

   Some truth in what you say Francis but I did point out initially that
   my offer came as a direct result of buying 6 reeds in bulk from Bob
   Reid in 1970. 4 of them "weren't really there" but trying to improve
   them did teach me a lot! I wouldn't dream of passing on reeds that were
   totally useless and held no possibility of instruction/improvement.
   I have looked at the resources you list but have found that Mike
   Nelson's methods give by far the best results. I make reeds in batches
   of 15 and find at least 3 of these will give a very good tone (kept in
   the main for Windy Gyle Band pipes) 7 will be suitable for sale
   (certainly a match for those available generally) and 5 will be good
   learning fodder.
   The problem is that even with a tried and tested cane source (I have
   had success with 4 types; Australian, Cogolin, Madame Geiss and Pisoli)
   there are factors beyond our knowledge at play and reeds made to 0.05mm
   consistency from adjacent slips from the same tube differ widely in
   their response and tone. Furthermore, a good reed in one set of pipes
   may be lifeless in another. I'm trying to offer a quick way in to those
   who want to learn about reed adjustment before they move on to reed
   making so the offer still holds.
   Cheers
   Anthony
9/7/10, Francis Wood  wrote:

 From: Francis Wood 
 Subject: [NSP] Re: Reeds
 To: "Anthony Robb" 
 Cc: "Dartmouth NPS" , neihutch...@yahoo.com
 Date: Friday, 9 July, 2010, 10:48

   Hello Anthony,
   I hesitate to disagree here since your suggestion is made in a spirit
   of generosity.
   However, I'm not sure it's best to  suggest using inferior reeds as an
   aid to learning. Reeds that function very well carry a great deal of
   information. Poor reeds do not.
   An expert reed-maker may perhaps be able to take reeds that "aren't
   really there" and improve them. A beginner is likely to make them a lot
   worse without really understanding why.
   There are plenty of resources available for anyone who wants to learn
   about all this. Good reeds are obtainable and even though they will
   differ remarkably from maker to maker they are all in themselves
   instructive. Well-written and clear information is to be found from
   several sources. There's Colin's reed-making book and Richard and Anita
   Evans's web pages:
   [1]http://www.evansbagpipes.co.uk/pipes/reedmake/chant.htm
   With a good reed in hand as an example, together with any of the
   available instructions, and with the advantage of a robust
   frustration-tolerance threshold, anyone can make a bunch of reeds.
   At the beginning, most will be awful and one or two may be "not really
   there". With a lot of luck, there may even be a good one.
   This is similar to the 'infinite number of monkeys & infinite supply of
   reed-cane' approach though with much better chance of success. I can't
   see why it shouldn't work.
   Best wishes,
   Francis
   On 9 Jul 2010, at 09:58, Anthony Robb wrote:
   >
   >   Neil,
   >   I feel a bit guilty about this. My regular piping class
   participants
   >   snapped up the first dozen or so. In fact one of them got one of
   them
   >   working at Billy Pigg type tone and pitch but as we play at A = 446
   Hz
   >   it wasn't a runner as far as lessons were concerned. I have one or
   two
   >   that I'd be happy to send if you send me your address. Perhaps
   other
   >   would be recipients could post their addresses on the list for
   other
   >   reed makers to respond to in turn?
   >   As aye
   >   Anthony
   >
   >   --- On Fri, 9/7/10, [2]neihutch...@yahoo.com
   <[3]neihutch...@yahoo.com>
   >   wrote:
   >
   > From: [4]neihutch...@yahoo.com <[5]neihutch...@yahoo.com>
   > Subject: [NSP] Reeds
   > To: "Dartmouth NPS" <[6]...@cs.dartmouth.edu>
   > Date: Friday, 9 July, 2010, 2:59
   >
   >   I posted a question about reeds a while back and got some great
   >  answers. Anthony Robb
   >  suggested that "perhaps we should start a free bank of working
   reeds
   >  that
   > "aren't really there" for enthusiastic, would-be makers to
   mess
   >  around
   > with?".
   >  Does anyone out there have any such reeds available? I'd like to
   try
   >   my
   >  hand at reed making in the not too distant future and would be
   >   grateful
   >  for any "wonky" reeds that anyone could send me to have a go
   >   scraping,
   >  trimming etc.
   >  I'm in Australia - Neil
   >  --- On Fri, 19/3/10, Anthony Robb <[1][7]anth...@robbpipes.com>
   wrote:
   >From: Anthony Robb <[2][8]anth.

[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-07-09 Thread Francis Wood

On 9 Jul 2010, at 10:48, Francis Wood wrote:

> There's Colin's reed-making book and Richard and Anita Evans's web pages:

 . . . . . and of course Steve Douglass's videos on Youtube in which Colin Ross 
teaches chanter reed making. It's excellent stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gYQ82P6GZE

There's a HD version of this also on YouTube which I can't immediately find.

Francis






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[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-07-09 Thread Francis Wood
Hello Anthony,

I hesitate to disagree here since your suggestion is made in a spirit of 
generosity.

However, I'm not sure it's best to  suggest using inferior reeds as an aid to 
learning. Reeds that function very well carry a great deal of information. Poor 
reeds do not.
An expert reed-maker may perhaps be able to take reeds that "aren't really 
there" and improve them. A beginner is likely to make them a lot worse without 
really understanding why.

There are plenty of resources available for anyone who wants to learn about all 
this. Good reeds are obtainable and even though they will differ remarkably 
from maker to maker they are all in themselves instructive. Well-written and 
clear information is to be found from several sources. There's Colin's 
reed-making book and Richard and Anita Evans's web pages:

http://www.evansbagpipes.co.uk/pipes/reedmake/chant.htm

With a good reed in hand as an example, together with any of the available 
instructions, and with the advantage of a robust frustration-tolerance 
threshold, anyone can make a bunch of reeds.
At the beginning, most will be awful and one or two may be "not really there". 
With a lot of luck, there may even be a good one.

This is similar to the 'infinite number of monkeys & infinite supply of 
reed-cane' approach though with much better chance of success. I can't see why 
it shouldn't work.

Best wishes,

Francis


On 9 Jul 2010, at 09:58, Anthony Robb wrote:

> 
>   Neil,
>   I feel a bit guilty about this. My regular piping class participants
>   snapped up the first dozen or so. In fact one of them got one of them
>   working at Billy Pigg type tone and pitch but as we play at A = 446 Hz
>   it wasn't a runner as far as lessons were concerned. I have one or two
>   that I'd be happy to send if you send me your address. Perhaps other
>   would be recipients could post their addresses on the list for other
>   reed makers to respond to in turn?
>   As aye
>   Anthony
> 
>   --- On Fri, 9/7/10, neihutch...@yahoo.com 
>   wrote:
> 
> From: neihutch...@yahoo.com 
> Subject: [NSP] Reeds
> To: "Dartmouth NPS" 
> Date: Friday, 9 July, 2010, 2:59
> 
>   I posted a question about reeds a while back and got some great
>  answers. Anthony Robb
>  suggested that "perhaps we should start a free bank of working reeds
>  that
> "aren't really there" for enthusiastic, would-be makers to mess
>  around
> with?".
>  Does anyone out there have any such reeds available? I'd like to try
>   my
>  hand at reed making in the not too distant future and would be
>   grateful
>  for any "wonky" reeds that anyone could send me to have a go
>   scraping,
>  trimming etc.
>  I'm in Australia - Neil
>  --- On Fri, 19/3/10, Anthony Robb <[1]anth...@robbpipes.com> wrote:
>From: Anthony Robb <[2]anth...@robbpipes.com>
>Subject: [NSP] Reeds
>To: "Dartmouth NPS" <[3]...@cs.dartmouth.edu>
>Received: Friday, 19 March, 2010, 7:02 AM
> Francis wood wrote:
> Unwelcome squeaking can arise from many causes (including mice in
>  the
> bag, though I'm not qualified to advise on a solution to that
>   one)
>  and
> it takes a good amount of experience to determine what is really
>  wrong.
> What should an isolated beginner do in such circumstances?
> Hello Francis, I know the feeling. 6 months after getting my set
>  from
> Bill Hedworth I  found myself alone in the Birmingham area
>   (Sutton
> Coldfield)  and stuck for any adivice on reeds. There were no
> professional makers whatsoever in those days but I'd made contact
>  with
> Bob Reid who posted me 6 chanter reeds (I think about a quid
>   each)
> and I set to work wrecking them and getting to know what not to
>   do!
>  At
> that time Finbar Furey lived in Coventry and we got together a
>   few
> times and he made me a copy of one of Bob's reeds but the Irish
>   seem
>  to
> go for softer cane which didn't really have the tone I wanted.
> No amount of watching or getting advice can match first-hand
> tweaking and after getting through about -L-120 worth of reeds at
> today's money I had learned a lot and was reasonably proficient
>   and
> setting reeds (thank you Colin Ross!) to suit my pipes. When I
>   came
>  to
> make my own first reed (used in her F set by Carole on Cut & Dry
>  Dolly)
> I didn't have a gouge so made the slip by patiently sanding from
>   the
> flat cane on sandpaper drawing-pinned to a bit of broom-shank
>   (not
> recommended but showed tenacity)!
> These days I snap lifeless reeds to stop me wasting time on them.
> Perhaps we should start a free bank of working reeds that
> "aren't really there" for enthusiastic, would-be makers to mess
>  around
>

[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-07-09 Thread Anthony Robb

   Neil,
   I feel a bit guilty about this. My regular piping class participants
   snapped up the first dozen or so. In fact one of them got one of them
   working at Billy Pigg type tone and pitch but as we play at A = 446 Hz
   it wasn't a runner as far as lessons were concerned. I have one or two
   that I'd be happy to send if you send me your address. Perhaps other
   would be recipients could post their addresses on the list for other
   reed makers to respond to in turn?
   As aye
   Anthony

   --- On Fri, 9/7/10, neihutch...@yahoo.com 
   wrote:

 From: neihutch...@yahoo.com 
 Subject: [NSP] Reeds
 To: "Dartmouth NPS" 
 Date: Friday, 9 July, 2010, 2:59

   I posted a question about reeds a while back and got some great
  answers. Anthony Robb
  suggested that "perhaps we should start a free bank of working reeds
  that
 "aren't really there" for enthusiastic, would-be makers to mess
  around
 with?".
  Does anyone out there have any such reeds available? I'd like to try
   my
  hand at reed making in the not too distant future and would be
   grateful
  for any "wonky" reeds that anyone could send me to have a go
   scraping,
  trimming etc.
  I'm in Australia - Neil
  --- On Fri, 19/3/10, Anthony Robb <[1]anth...@robbpipes.com> wrote:
From: Anthony Robb <[2]anth...@robbpipes.com>
Subject: [NSP] Reeds
To: "Dartmouth NPS" <[3]...@cs.dartmouth.edu>
Received: Friday, 19 March, 2010, 7:02 AM
 Francis wood wrote:
 Unwelcome squeaking can arise from many causes (including mice in
  the
 bag, though I'm not qualified to advise on a solution to that
   one)
  and
 it takes a good amount of experience to determine what is really
  wrong.
 What should an isolated beginner do in such circumstances?
 Hello Francis, I know the feeling. 6 months after getting my set
  from
 Bill Hedworth I  found myself alone in the Birmingham area
   (Sutton
 Coldfield)  and stuck for any adivice on reeds. There were no
 professional makers whatsoever in those days but I'd made contact
  with
 Bob Reid who posted me 6 chanter reeds (I think about a quid
   each)
 and I set to work wrecking them and getting to know what not to
   do!
  At
 that time Finbar Furey lived in Coventry and we got together a
   few
 times and he made me a copy of one of Bob's reeds but the Irish
   seem
  to
 go for softer cane which didn't really have the tone I wanted.
 No amount of watching or getting advice can match first-hand
 tweaking and after getting through about -L-120 worth of reeds at
 today's money I had learned a lot and was reasonably proficient
   and
 setting reeds (thank you Colin Ross!) to suit my pipes. When I
   came
  to
 make my own first reed (used in her F set by Carole on Cut & Dry
  Dolly)
 I didn't have a gouge so made the slip by patiently sanding from
   the
 flat cane on sandpaper drawing-pinned to a bit of broom-shank
   (not
 recommended but showed tenacity)!
 These days I snap lifeless reeds to stop me wasting time on them.
 Perhaps we should start a free bank of working reeds that
 "aren't really there" for enthusiastic, would-be makers to mess
  around
 with?
 As aye
 Anthony
 --
  To get on or off this list see list information at
  [1][4]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
--
   References
  1. [5]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/%7Ewbc/lute-admin/index.html

   --

References

   1. http://uk.mc5.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=anth...@robbpipes.com
   2. http://uk.mc5.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=anth...@robbpipes.com
   3. http://uk.mc5.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=...@cs.dartmouth.edu
   4. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
   5. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html



[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-03-20 Thread Richard York
   What a great idea indeed seems to be building momentum. I really
   enjoyed watching Andy May's demo at Halsway of making/scraping a reed.
   I suspect it's not quite as easy as he made it look :-)  but as you
   say, it's a skill we all need.
   And fiddle tuning - while I was in a music shop some time ago a woman
   came in with a violin, and asked them to tune it. Apparently she'd been
   doing this once a week for ages!
   Best wishes,
   Richard.
   R. Evans wrote:

 For ten years or more I have been using second-grade chanter reeds
 (and spare chanters) in hands-on workshops for the Lowland and
 Borders Pipers Society. This allows people to practice adjusting
 reeds (and, indeed, simply learn to handle them properly) without
 any risk to their own pipes.
 The basics of reed adjustment and setting  are pretty easy, but need
 to be learned like anything else.
 I think this sort of thing should be part of any piping instruction
 day/course and that players should be firmly encouraged in this
 direction. Not being able to do this, or recognise when it needs
 doing, would be like playing a fiddle without being able to tune it.
 Come to think of it, there are a few people in that position too!
 Cheers
 Richard

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[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-03-20 Thread R. Evans

On 18/03/2010 20:02, Anthony Robb wrote:


These days I snap lifeless reeds to stop me wasting time on them.
Perhaps we should start a free bank of working reeds that
"aren't really there" for enthusiastic, would-be makers to mess around
with?


For ten years or more I have been using second-grade chanter reeds (and 
spare chanters) in hands-on workshops for the Lowland and Borders Pipers 
Society. This allows people to practice adjusting reeds (and, indeed, 
simply learn to handle them properly) without any risk to their own pipes.


The basics of reed adjustment and setting  are pretty easy, but need to 
be learned like anything else.


I think this sort of thing should be part of any piping instruction 
day/course and that players should be firmly encouraged in this 
direction. Not being able to do this, or recognise when it needs doing, 
would be like playing a fiddle without being able to tune it.


Come to think of it, there are a few people in that position too!

Cheers
Richard
--
R. Evans



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[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-03-19 Thread Daphne Briggs



   These days I snap lifeless reeds to stop me wasting time on them.
   Perhaps we should start a free bank of working reeds that
   "aren't really there" for enthusiastic, would-be makers to mess 
around

   with?
   As aye
   Anthony


What a brilliant idea!

best wishes

Daphne


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Daphne Briggs
34 Thorncliffe Road
Oxford OX2 7BB

Tel/Fax +44 (0)1865 310712




[NSP] Re: Reeds

2010-03-18 Thread Francis Wood
Yes, interesting stuff and it does demonstrate what what enthusiasm and 
stickability was needed not so very long ago to get anywhere with pipe-playing 
and maintenance.

Who in earlier days could have imagined posting enquiries and receiving 
valuable advice from international sources within an hour or so? The present 
availability of pipes must have been unimaginable as well as the current 
popularity of the instrument. Colin's reed-making videos shot by Steve Douglass 
and placed on YouTube are an extraordinary resource and just one example of the 
benefits of the Web. A demonstration is worth any amount of unsupported 
description. And on that subject, any future NSP Instruction book will be 
missing a huge opportunity if it doesn't point towards video examples  showing 
in reality what static images and words can only suggest.

Yes, the reed-bank should be set up immediately! All reeds classified as to 
their reed groups, and tea and biscuits for all donors.

Interesting to hear a bit of background on the reeding on Cut & Dry, a hugely 
important album. Any further info about the pipes used would be really great!

Francis

On 18 Mar 2010, at 20:02, Anthony Robb wrote:

> Hello Francis, I know the feeling. 6 months after getting my set from
>  Bill Hedworth I  found myself alone in the Birmingham area (Sutton
>  Coldfield)  and stuck for any adivice on reeds. There were no
>  professional makers whatsoever in those days but I'd made contact with
>  Bob Reid who posted me 6 chanter reeds (I think about a quid each)
>  and I set to work wrecking them and getting to know what not to do! At
>  that time Finbar Furey lived in Coventry and we got together a few
>  times and he made me a copy of one of Bob's reeds but the Irish seem to
>  go for softer cane which didn't really have the tone I wanted.
>  No amount of watching or getting advice can match first-hand
>  tweaking and after getting through about -L-120 worth of reeds at
>  today's money I had learned a lot and was reasonably proficient and
>  setting reeds (thank you Colin Ross!) to suit my pipes. When I came to
>  make my own first reed (used in her F set by Carole on Cut & Dry Dolly)
>  I didn't have a gouge so made the slip by patiently sanding from the
>  flat cane on sandpaper drawing-pinned to a bit of broom-shank (not
>  recommended but showed tenacity)!
>  These days I snap lifeless reeds to stop me wasting time on them.
>  Perhaps we should start a free bank of working reeds that
>  "aren't really there" for enthusiastic, would-be makers to mess around
>  with?
>  As aye
>  Anthony



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[NSP] Re: reeds

2008-03-21 Thread rosspipes

Dear David,

It is not that I am too busy to make reeds fro you it is just that I do not 
make reeds for other makers sets especially if they are still alive. I had to 
call a moritorium on reeding Burleigh pipes some years ago now because of the 
demand on my own reedmaking and pipemaking activities. Each pipemaker should 
have the responsibilty to supply reeds to their own make sets as I do for my 
own whether they were bought directly from me or not.
My own reedmaking booklet was an attempt to help the reed situation to 
encourage folk to attempt to make their own reeds and I think that pipers need 
to at least try to make their own reeds as the situation is not getting any 
better as we all get older.
Colin Ross

-Original Message-
From: DAVID KORALYNN BOISVERT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu
Sent: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:17
Subject: [NSP] reeds




Greetings,

For some odd reason I've had the most difficult time getting ahold of reeds for 
my NSP's. Mr. Burleigh, Mr. Ross, the Evans family have all informed me they 
are 
far too busy to make reeds right now. I tried emailing Ms. Say a few times but 
there has been no reply. Is there anyone else capable of and/or willing to make 
some reeds for my 2 sets?  I have 2 Burleigh 14 key sets that are in bad need 
of 
chanter and drone reeds. I've been suffering from traumatic hand injuries this 
last year and a half and cannot strain my hands making them myself. Any help 
that anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated!

All the best,
David
  

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[NSP] Re: reeds

2008-03-20 Thread colin

Well. if you are really desperate, Hobgoblin do sell them although you will
have to "adjust" them for your own sets.
£33 for chanter and £6.95 for each drone.
I have never tried them so can't vouch for the quality.
http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/bagpipeframeuk.htm
but if you make your own, I'm sure you could manage.
They only do all cane drones though.
Colin Hill

- Original Message - 
From: "DAVID KORALYNN BOISVERT" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:17 PM
Subject: [NSP] reeds



Greetings,

For some odd reason I've had the most difficult time getting ahold of 
reeds for my NSP's. Mr. Burleigh, Mr. Ross, the Evans family have all 
informed me they are far too busy to make reeds right now. I tried 
emailing Ms. Say a few times but there has been no reply. Is there anyone 
else capable of and/or willing to make some reeds for my 2 sets?  I have 2 
Burleigh 14 key sets that are in bad need of chanter and drone reeds. I've 
been suffering from traumatic hand injuries this last year and a half and 
cannot strain my hands making them myself. Any help that anyone can 
provide would be greatly appreciated!


All the best,
David


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[NSP] Re: reeds

2008-03-20 Thread Ian Lawther

David,

Try Mike Sharp in California
http://www.sharpbagpipes.com/

Ian Lawther
www.bagpipediscs.com

DAVID KORALYNN BOISVERT wrote:

Greetings,

For some odd reason I've had the most difficult time getting ahold of reeds for 
my NSP's. Mr. Burleigh, Mr. Ross, the Evans family have all informed me they 
are far too busy to make reeds right now. I tried emailing Ms. Say a few times 
but there has been no reply. Is there anyone else capable of and/or willing to 
make some reeds for my 2 sets?  I have 2 Burleigh 14 key sets that are in bad 
need of chanter and drone reeds. I've been suffering from traumatic hand 
injuries this last year and a half and cannot strain my hands making them 
myself. Any help that anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated!

All the best,
David
  


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