This is exactly what I needed today after "tweaking" my set of EzDrone's. The Wheezie sound is absolutely what I've been dealing with. Thank you for clarifying what happens when you move the bridal on the reeds and how to adjust on the tuning pins. Again Matt.. Thank you! As you're aware, I've relied on your professionalism, experience and overall awesomeness since I bought my first PC.

yes, looking forward to hear your rework on the reeds Matt. Thanks for the video and your time

@T.Ackland

4 жыл бұрын

I'm not too sure about sending Mr. Willis an updated set of reeds, I'm a little pissed. The combover name is from an old forum I belonged to once, It seems quite Presidential now.

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

I'm sorry to hear you're upset; that was not the intent. I thought your reeds were great, as I say in the video, and the proof is in their tone. While I cannot add to the content of the video, I have added a disclaimer on the top of the video description noting that these reeds are an early design and not indicative of your current product. If there's a wording you'd prefer, let me know and I'll upset the description.

@vanessakeith6546

4 жыл бұрын

@@T.Ackland hi.. I also didn't hear Matt putting your reeds down. Perhaps a misunderstanding. I honestly got the impression Matt liked them. Sorry hard feeling were felt. I'm sure not intended. Cheers

The ackland drones sound more sharp and crisp. Thank you for making these videos. I am just starting out in playing. Was getting frustrated in how to tune the drones and chanter reed. Thanks again!

Ive never had ackland drone reeds but i have Ezee drones reeds for about 3 years on my McCallums bagpipes

wow great bagpipes

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Love my Peter Henderson Heritage pipes here. Gorgeous with a fantastic sound.

I think your Acklands would be great for a competing band. Big sound on drones required but not to big to overpower the chanter. The Ezee's and balance tone would be better for a solo. More refined and smoother, more balanced with the chanter. Love your videos, great for students.

These arckland reeds would be great for a solo Piper wtr to your current set, I would say. The bass drone is really solid but does not preempt too much on the tenor (sorry for my English, probably not the correct word).

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

I rather like your use of preempt here! I would say overpowered instead of preempt, and I'd agree the bass doesn't overpower the tenors, at least for this chanter (which is on the louder side). If I had an easier chanter reed, the drones overall might be a bit much, but with this Shepherd chanter/reed setup, it's sounding great. Cheers!

I go for ezeedrone tenor/balance tone bass the Acland drones sound very funny once you start playing

Ezeedrone/tenors- Balance tone bass I personally play full balance tone set on a RGH set Many thanks for your videos, Matt

@billaugsburger927

3 жыл бұрын

Me too, I have tried the next biggest thing and go back to my BTs

I cheers you, for your videos, all of them, but in my case with a Brandy Xeres, Cardenal Mendoza, Gran Reserva,…cheers! My prefered set of drone reeds are Ezee Increased Absrorption and Selbie’s.

Piper Gunn here! The thicknes of the tongue is what can cause that. Check the thickness differences between the Ackland and the Balance Tone. I am developing my own drones reeds now.

This is actually a really good video and extremely useful, would absolutely like to see more reviews and comparisons. What would you recommend for a set of modern MacRae pipes (the reproductions)? Currently using an all Ezeedrone Increased Absorption with inverted bass set-up.

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Those are exact reeds I’d use for MacRaes, moisture absorbing (therefore inverted) bass. I slightly prefer the non-moisture absorbing tenors, but not enough to buy two sets of reeds. Great choice of reed!

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

If I had the chance to own one more bagpipe, it'd be a set of these MacRaes (specifically the SL1). Absolutely phenomenal bagpipe.

@gibraltarik

4 жыл бұрын

@@MattWillisBagpiper thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm happy with the sound they produce, although I have also set them up at 440Hz with full Balance Tone Bb Flat and the harmonics were tremendous. I also have a set of antique Lawries, made between 1920-1940 (est), any recommendations for them?

I play Balance Tone, EZ Drone, but in my 2014 Gibson pipes I play Redwood drone reeds.

Good afternoon Matt, I know that you've probably answered this question many many times but I'll ask it again for the convenience. I have a set of pipes that are no longer made but they're made by dumbfian in Aberdeen Scotland, African blackwood, and was wondering what set up you would recommend for the drones. I have a shepherd chanter with shepherd chant reeds. I originally was thinking of going with the same setup you have, ezeedrone / balance tone bass reed but then I heard the full sound of these produce.

@MattWillisBagpiper

3 жыл бұрын

Do you have Dunfion pipes? These can be tricky to reed due to their very small bore size. I'd try Balance Tones for all three to start with. Haven't had luck with Ezeedrones in them.

@chrissensel6658

3 жыл бұрын

@@MattWillisBagpiper Yes that is definitely what I have. I have run ezeedrone reeds only since I have purchased them brand new. However, I will try the balance tone per your recommendation! Thanks a bunch

Please keep us updated on the wheezing. I am curious. Thanks

@MattWillisBagpiper

10 ай бұрын

This was a prototype set, and the final design is much less wheezy. 👍

Hi Matt. Question - Why do you not play Balance Tone tenors? Is it for band tone?

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

I find them quite "wheezy" and cannot fix the issue without valves. They also might be just a touch overly buzzy. But it's mainly the wheezy nature of them.

Have you set the bridles of the reeds , so that the double tone kicks out when you sound E ? And why tuning one drone ? You can never achive accurate tuning with tuning one drone , when the base comes back , the pressure does change , so I would go for tuning two.

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

Are you speaking about the Ezeedrones? The Acklands here never double-toned, so... And yes, the Ezeedrone bridles have been set for the correct pressure, but it's still annoying having the "squeal" before the chanter comes in (not the end of the world, but unpleasant). As for tuning, does it sound like I'm out? I thought I dialed them all in nicely here... More than one way to tune a bagpipe! (though I do normally tune with 2 or all 3 drones going with my normal setup).

@malcolmdomhnallach3638

4 жыл бұрын

Matt Willis Bagpiper Well , it sounds ok , at 16:56 it’s better , don’t know much about your set’s enviroment , humidity , temperature , whether you warmed up ‘em or not , but if I were you , probably I would play an other warm up tune before settling , still a wee bit flat there , maybe It’s about 0.5 mm or less, for light music fine , but if playing piobaireachd I would do some final adjustments , especially if It’s about a long one , It’s quite usual to tune drones up to 15 times during a 45 minute Practice session , regardless any MCS , so Aye , tune 2 , and always double check.

I'm sure you have been asked before but what is a good quality set of bagpipes that won't break the bank for a beginner. I have always wanted to learn to play. Thank you in advance for any help. And I enjoy the videos keep up the great work

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

You can't go wrong with any blackwood bagpipe from R.G. Hardie or McCallum (not that there aren't other fantastic makers, I just have the most experience with these two). They start around $1000 USD for a plain turned set, but those sound just as good as the more expensive and fancier ones. But first you need to get a practice chanter, my friend!

@joshualindsey77

4 жыл бұрын

@@MattWillisBagpiper Thank You so much for the advice.. I was already eyeing a R.G. Hardie practice chanter with the twist trap and practice book.. I will definitely take your words into consideration and let you know what finally decide when I am able to pull the trigger.

Do you ever review Selbie drone reeds?

@MattWillisBagpiper

2 жыл бұрын

I have not... Played them for several years back in the mid '00s, but I haven't had a set for awhile.

Hi Matt, just wondering what mouthpiece you are using?

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

The reed wrangler mouthpiece. www.reedwrangler.net

@adriancollins7813

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you

So the big question is; after you said you’d be writing Ackland to sort out the wheezy bass reed, what was the final ‘fix’??

@MattWillisBagpiper

Жыл бұрын

His final reeds remedied this wheezing for the most part. The reeds in this video were a prototype. 👍👍

What chanter/chanter reed setup are you using here? Just curious. . . Sounds nice.

@MattWillisBagpiper

7 күн бұрын

That's a 2005 African Blackwood Shepherd chanter and most likely a Shepherd reed (though it might be a Melvin band reed).

@BGillPiper

7 күн бұрын

@@MattWillisBagpiper thanks, MW. I’m surprised you remembered, frankly.

@MattWillisBagpiper

6 күн бұрын

Well, it's more I could tell which chanter I was playing from looking at it, and I've used mostly Shepherd reeds in that chanter for the past decade, though a few Melvin band reeds have been in rotation.

There’s probably a reason but why tune on F? Instead of High A to Low A?

@MattWillisBagpiper

Жыл бұрын

Low A requires both hands, and high A is both a bit unstable and I, like many pipers, tend to tune high A slightly flat. F is generally equally in tune with the bottom hand on or not…

I kinda Like the uillean sound on those So... after i tuned my pipes with braw tuner to 110 drone and 220 tenors I learned my chanter wasnt 440 (go ahead, laugh lol) i calabrated my tunner to my chanter (458) and tuned to match. I was losing air like a chump (so I started over focused on my air control) thank goodness you said tweak em, dealer sets them in shop and says dont move the bridals , just the screw .. omg lol Now understanding things a bit better im thinking if a cane drone and tenor reed can be made synthetic ; why cant the chanter reed be made similar ? Shorter than the tenor reeds with a nose screw and bridal.... we could replace and tune the chanter reed instead of re-calabrating the braw and re-tune drones ....is that a crazy thought?

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

The chanter reed needs to be a double reed, not s ingle reed like the drones. Legere is supposedly working with McCallum on a synthetic chanter reed, but it's been a few years since I've heard anything...

@matthewdenty7760

4 жыл бұрын

Hmm🤔 never thought that 🙄 .. now I picture a tuning screw exterior to tighten and raise pitch ,.. or a 2 toung reed lol

What kind of bag are you using in this vid Matt?

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

A MacKillop goatskin bag. The Lee & Sons goatskin is extremely similar.

@marklamont5715

4 жыл бұрын

Looks like a Gannaway...

@marklamont5715

4 жыл бұрын

You just answered me...

So Matt what is you're favorite drone reeds in conclusion. I play solo and would like some heartier louder drones than I have. I

@MattWillisBagpiper

3 жыл бұрын

There are so many variables and sounds...The regular Ackland (not the prototypes from this video) are outstanding and very affordable. I'm also really enjoying my Melvin cane reeds, and will always have a soft spot for my Ezeedrone tenor/Balance Tone bass combo. In the end, you just need a try a ton of reeds (not cheap or easy) and find what you like. And of course, the reeds are only one part, there is also your drones themselves....

@cbasalt12754

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks matt. Always appreciate your quick feedback and experience.

Sir how many cost of dronze reeds

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

$50 USD and you can find his email in the description

I have an all ezee drone set and I’m thinking about switching my bass. Ideas?

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

What brand/make of pipes to you own?

@padraigmacmillan8292

4 жыл бұрын

I'm also thinking of switching my bass their all ezee drone and I have hardie pipes

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

The Balance Tone bass works great in modern Hardie pipes. Kinnaird basses work too, but tend to not be much fuller/louder than an Ezeedrone bass.

@jameslee9985

4 жыл бұрын

Matt Willis Bagpiper McCallum ABP 1 poly. I’ve been playing for a total of...5 months. Still trying to figure out what chanter reeds work the best. But my ezee drone bass doesn’t strike in well

@padraigmacmillan8292

4 жыл бұрын

@@MattWillisBagpiper mine are about 20 years old is that new enough or is it too old?

I know this is like... 2 months old. But what drone reeds do you recommend for a set of Grainger and Campbell pipes? I currently have 3 Ezee Drones set up in there. Also, I have a 2nd chanter, which is the 70s Hendersons Blackwood Chanter, which keeps squeaking when I transition from the high hand to a low A. I have a Medium G1 Platinum Reed inside. Is there a way to fix this?

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

Hello! I haven't had the chance to play a Grainger & Campbell set, so I wouldn't know which specific reeds would be best. And those old Henderson chanters are getting increasingly difficult to reed with modern chanter reeds. I've had the best success with R.T. Shepherd orchestral reeds lately.

Does your bag not have a zip?

@MattWillisBagpiper

2 жыл бұрын

It does… curious as to the question…

@ralphhunter118

2 жыл бұрын

@@MattWillisBagpiper Well valves should sort out that problem, it do you prefer without them? By the way great video. 👍

@MattWillisBagpiper

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! And I do not use valves… I like the drones opening into the bag without any interference.

I thought your setup had a smoother sound. The Acklands sounded sort of raspby.

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

Do you find the Ezeedrone/Balance Tone "unsmooth" (just curious)? I placed the microphone in a much higher location than normal to pick up the drones more, so the sound is different from normal...

@gordonstewart8258

4 жыл бұрын

@@MattWillisBagpiper Liked the Ezeedrone/balance Tone better.

Do you have any tips on how to deal with "whistling/howling/trailing drones because I have Ezee bass (not inverted) & tenors which won't turn off after squeezing enough air to silence them, I tried adjusting them but that would make them cut out. I did use tone enhancers for last year's competitions but I don't want to go back them since they lower the volume of the drones. Thanks.

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

That's probably the biggest issue with Ezeedrones is that whistling. What kind of bag do you play? Playing a hide or skin bag goes a long way to helping reduce that whistle. In many synth bags, you'll need valves (or lots of practice striking in and cutting off) to keep it from happening. I prefer the Highland Reeds valves to the Tone Enhancers (the Highland Reeds valves don't cut as much volume).

@stephennugent9958

4 жыл бұрын

@@MattWillisBagpiper I play the Bannatyne Hide Zipper bag.

I prefer the EEzees...The Acklands are a bit too loud to my ear and overpowered the chanter.

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

I think my current favorite is the combo of the Ackland tenors and Balance Tone bass.

I cannot understand why Kevin sent you those reeds, I mentioned to him that I had mailed an earlier development set by mistake. and as he does not play A480 I did not replace them, they were freebies. . The Latest reeds are now longer with a slimmer, longer tongue, and as for bridle adjustment, Patrick McLaurin explained to Kevin on their difference and he should have passed on the information to you.

@MattWillisBagpiper

4 жыл бұрын

Hello! Patrick let me know after seeing the photo of the reeds on my Facebook/Instagram that these were an earlier model reed, but at that point the video was already recorded. If the older design was this solid, I can only imagine how great the finished product must be!

@PiperKev

4 жыл бұрын

Terry, as I said in the email I sent you after I read your comment, I'm sorry that I upset you. I've looked back through our emails and, in all fairness, when you sent them to me and I told you I didn't play a "standard" 480 setup, you told me to pass the reeds on to a friend, which Matt most definitely is. You did not mention that they were sent to me by mistake, nor that they were developmental reeds, you only asked me what size the tenors were.

@PiperKev

4 жыл бұрын

Patrick did mention that he thought they were an earlier incarnation of the reeds, but I honestly forgot that. I'm VERY sorry for any misunderstanding I caused, and I hope you won't hold this against Matt, because he genuinely liked the reeds, developmental or no! They sound fantastic!

@T.Ackland

4 жыл бұрын

@@PiperKev I will re-send you the email where I mentioned the wrong reeds were mailed, or you could just look in your mail box, Tue Oct 29 2019

@PiperKev

4 жыл бұрын

@@T.Ackland If you're referring to the email where you said "The 480 reeds I sent you, I believe they were the shorter tenors, 3 inches instead of 3 1\4 long? ", I didn't interpret that as you saying they were a mistake, so that's on me. Again, I'm sorry.