Balance Tone Drone Reeds: Features & Setup

[@sonerbihan]

I've been playing Bruce " Balance tone " drones for 8 years and as I was previously used to play Hepburn cane reeds, I could find balance tone reeds very efficient and got the same sound and harmonics as with cane reeds These reeds are easy, air efficient, easy to set, give nice sound and timbre, never stop due to moisture even during a long performance as ceol mor, all in all, Bruce has achieved a terrific level with his reeds Well done Bruce an thanks a lot for yer grea' job Jean Michel

[@Rudi.D]

I've got them sinds yesterday...they are indeed air efficient, easy to set-up and they sound great in my 60's Lawrie

[@jorgen.zamora]

This is GREAT information! I'm checking out this Balance-Tone reeds on your webpage. I'm seriously considering buying these. Mr. Hitchings, you are a great teacher.

[@yourcrazycuz]

Now this had a whole truck load of answers that I have been looking for!!! Thank you!!!!!

[@celticquester03]

I'm happy with what i've used for the last year,but i give you my word i'm trying "balance tone" reeds,next.Nice design and got a feeling they'll suit my present delrin set.

[@GeorgeCampbell1964]

These sound great.. As for moisture resistance,I need all the help I can get. I'll be calling about these,Steve!

[@GeorgeCampbell1964]

Sounds good. I may have to have a set of those. I've went through quite a few mcs'. Deffinately worth a try.

[@ifiddle2]

Very, very helpful - thanks! Will recommend to my band mates.

[@Cemdilek]

Wll done Bruce. I will play cane reeds as long they are available.

[@Vernster1]

I will give them a try...thanks for the video.

[@Drona2001]

I bet they would be good. He has designed them for moisture resistance.

[@18cobia]

I would love to see a tune up on the fireside

[@Tim21832]

Got you reeds ,blimey that's different ,now can get on with piping,thanks.

[@piper5johnny]

These look like fantastic reeds and I will be trying them out soon. I find that inverted reeds always seem to strike in better and usually I will work on the tenors to make them inverted. Is your reed seat the same diameter as the white tuning top of your reed so that in fact this can be easily done?! Many thanks for your very professional videos. Cheers! John.

[@penguinshamrock777]

I was planning on purchasing a set of mccallums p3. I was wondering if you have a video sample of the sound quality of the pipes. Thank you! Kyle

[@waynelucas8826]

I have a set of these reeds. I can't say enough good things about them. My pipes have never sounded better and they are super easy to tune.

[@Tim21832]

+Wayne Lucas same as mine couldnt sound better

[@jazzman1626]

Are these fairly new reeds? I got them a few years ago ( possibly longer than I remember lol) and they are black. Much easier than old style cane. I do still have a cane practice chanter reed which is great.

[@danielsciacaluga]

What's your view on tone enhancers?

[@jennifermckenzie8699]

Hi Bruce, as I haven't had a Ross bag with the Canister moisture pack in my early days piping, I am not sure how to add the Hyland -In-Line Drone Valves. We had the attached to the Canister as there are other fittings for the Drone base. I look forward to your reply Kind regards Jenny

[@HendersonsPipes]

Thanks for your question. We'd be glad to help. It sounds like you're actually inquiring about the Lyons/Hylands In-Line Drone Valves with the Ross system. Can you give us a call at 1-800-931-5010, if you still need help with this?

[@Cloroxbleach-lr6ej]

What drone reed would you recommend for an easy set of drone reeds

[@HendersonsPipes]

+The random one The Balance-Tone reeds are a great option--easy because they're efficient and set up well out of the box. Plus, the tone is very good and the design has evolved to produce ever better harmonics. Thanks very much.

[@solobassoon]

Please, explain how you make the reed 'cut off' as you show it 5:15 into the video. I am not quite sure what is going on. I do not understand how you make them cut off just by blowing air into the bag.

[@HendersonsPipes]

Thanks for your question! He is demonstrating the airtightness of the reeds, which indicates how efficient they are. When the pressure is high, the reeds can't vibrate, so they shut off. Some reeds might "leak" or allow air to pass through, which would allow the tongues to vibrate again and make noise. In this case, the reeds don't allow air to pass through, so the pipe stays inflated and silent. The benefit here is that the reeds are air-efficient in normal conditions, so all of the air you're putting through the reeds goes to sound. Inefficient reeds make you work harder to keep the reeds going.

[@solobassoon]

Thank you very much for your answer. Now it makes sense to me. :o)

[@penguinshamrock777]

is that a set of McCallums P3?

[@maxwellfan55]

What is the procedure (for any make of drone reed) to correct a double tone on a drone reed that wont revert to the correct tuned note on strike in? Thank you.

[@HendersonsPipes]

Thanks for your question. There are a few possible causes/fixes for double-toning reeds: 1- Bagpipe bore size, especially older pipes - Experiment until you find the reeds that work best with the instrument. 2-Technique - Changing pressure or too aggressive a strike-in can cause double-toning. A change in strike-in can help. 3-Reed Out of Adjustment - The reed may be opened up too much and inefficient. Bridle can be moved to just before the reed shuts off. 4-Drone tuning in wrong position on tuning pins - Tenors should be tuning near the hemp line, bass top on mid-section hemp line, and bottom joint about 2" off the projecting mount. I hope this helps. If you'd like to talk more, give us a call at the store 1-800-931-5010.

[@HendersonsPipes]

I should add that drone valves can also address this problem, as they regulate the amount of air reaching the reeds. Thanks!

[@sh1298]

i have heard good comment about them but i read in reviews that they wont play very well on naill pipes, is that true ?

[@HendersonsPipes]

Thanks very much for your question. We have found them a good match with all the pipe brands we carry, including Naill. I hope that helps!

[@sh1298]

ok it does help, thx alot

[@marklamont5715]

I just purchased a set of the Balance Tone Drone Reeds,and I must say,they have struck in every time since I put them in my pipes,I was having a hell of a time to get my drones to come in,I had Kinnaird Evo's,and they had just gotten so temperamental that I was getting very frustrated,and it was time for a change,money well spent for these drone reeds!!

[@HendersonsPipes]

Wonderful! It's amazing what a new set can do. We're glad it solved a problem and made piping more enjoyable. Thank you!

[@marklamont5715]

It's funny,I've argued with people about this,piping should be fun, granted you still have to learn,and play,but it shouldn't be a struggle,with reeds,both drone and pipe chanter,I quit playing a "hard" pipe chanter reed because it wasn't enjoyable,and from what my friends in higher grades have told me,it's not necessary to play a 2 x 4 chanter reed,and it's not healthy,ok I'm done ranting.....

[@jazzman1626]

Mark Lamont That's exactly why I've not played the pipes for years. Nobody ever taught me how to get a bagpipe to be air efficient so I struggled and fought with my pipes most of the time. Some of the biggest guys I knew had really easy reeds. I've also heard that easy reeds are harder to blow steady but that is total BS. You can't blow steady if you're struggling to get a peep out of the things. It doesn't take long to learn how to blow steady.

[@UbarDarkStorm]

I just bought some bagpipes and am about ready to throw them in the bin, I blow and blow and air escapes, the bag deflates as fast as I fill it, I have gone through the sections and cannot find, on my own, where the problem is, I have blown until I nearly pass out to get a few sounds, the bag is fine though no zip when I block everything with all pipes off the only release is through the chanter as I hoped but even though the reeds are tight in once the first sections are on the bag even though I cover all the tops the bag deflates as fast as I blow, FRUSTRATION rules at present, help please.

[@HendersonsPipes]

+Jon in France Sorry, we just saw your comment. I hope you've found the issue and are happily playing, but if you still need assistance, it's best to email or chat with us through our website, www.hendersongroupltd.com, so we can provide the best information for you. If this is a new set from a known pipemaker the fix should be simple. Have you check the blowpipe valve to be sure it closes completely? If the bag is leather, it may need to be seasoned. Just a few quick ideas.

[@crishugo2004]

Nice Work!!!! :-)

[@sonerbihan]

I've been playing Bruce " Balance tone " drones for 8 years and as I was previously used to play Hepburn cane reeds, I could find balance tone reeds very efficient and got the same sound and harmonics as with cane reeds These reeds are easy, air efficient, easy to set, give nice sound and timbre, never stop due to moisture even during a long performance as ceol mor, all in all, Bruce has achieved a terrific level with his reeds Well done Bruce an thanks a lot for yer grea' job Jean Michel