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bagpipe-digest      Wednesday, December 15 1999      Volume 01 : Number 222




----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 17:32:05 -0000
From: "Peter Anderson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Piping at Hogmanay

- --
Peter Anderson
Mr White <[e-mail]> wrote in message
news:835nh0$ni8$[e-mail]...
> Peter,
>
> I noticed you gave your location as Surrey in the UK ...
>
> I moved to the Woking area in February from the US and have been
attempting
> to get my piping chops back after a 12-year layoff.  Would you happen to
> know anybody in the general area of Woking/Guildford that would be
> interested in giving me some lessons?  It's one of my New Year's (or shall
I
> say Hogmanay) Resolutions to be able to call myself a piper again!
>
> If you could put me in touch with a decent (and fairly patient) teacher, I
> would appreciate it.  I do read music and have a couple of method books
plus
> Scots Guards, etc., but could use some refreshing on fingerings and
> technique.  Also, I find lessons to be the best inspiration for practice.
>
> Thanks in advance for the help!
>
> Stuart Goodburne
> [e-mail]
>
>
>

You have come to the right place - our P/M is an ex-Scots Guards P/M, we
have in our band an ex-Scots Guards piper who gave up piping in 1958 (that
is not a misprint) and took it up again about 18 months ago.  He is a super
piper and very good with students.  What is even more interesting about this
guy is that he was one of the band that sat in the desert in the 1950's and
transcribed the tunes from scraps of paper to what is now Scots Guards Book
1.  Taught by J.B.Robertson he has many stories to tell.  We had a guy visit
our for a few weeks when he came over from Kentucky (we found him from this
Ng) and in Jan we have a visitor from The City of Washington PB who will be
with us for 9 months.

I will email you privately with details ect

>
>



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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 14:07:29 -0400
From: "dnimmo" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Piping at Hogmanay

Hugh Hamilton wrote in message ...
>Mmmm
>
>
>On chatting to some of the pipers locally - Midlands of England -  who are
>good enough to play at New Year, I have noticed that few of them are
>playing at Hogmanay - New Years Eve - they have mentioned that a lot of
>events have been canceled - too expensive etc
>
>Is this happening elsewhere??


Program on Canadian TV last week, re the New Years ski packages at Whistler
Mountain, a large resort just north of Vancouver............typically condos
were $1000 per night with a 5 night minimum stay and the New Years Eve
dinner was $2000 per plate  !  !  all these things were reporting sold out
last Spring, but when it came to writing the cheques (required 3 or 4 months
in advance), there were suddently vast vacancies everywhere !   They spoke
of decreasing the minimum to 3 days !  and are anticipating a "public
relations nightmare" when a party at dinner discover that the next table
paid half, or less, than what they paid. (and the condo owners don't get the
vast returns promised by the rental agency)

Here in Nova Scotia:
You can still get tickets at local Legions and Community Halls for a dinner
dance for $40 to $60 CAN per couple..........or pay $400 per person double
occupancy at one of the "name brand" hotels downtown
Halifax......................

We are doing a private house party, but with catering brought in  champagne
included  and a piper playing Auld Lang Syne at midnight, for $50 a
couple...............hmmm...... it is a simple tune but I'd better get
practicing..........my fee for playing?............an extra glass of
champagne  !...................

most of my friends are spending it at home with friends or neighbours.

David



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------------------------------

Date: 14 Dec 1999 19:23:11 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Jginmd)
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Regarding Blowing Tone

The more time you spend in front of a judge fooling with your horn the more
sound you offer up for critque. If you are a serious competitor you know this.
It can work in your favour or very much against you.
 Taking too much time in front of a judge farting around with your tuning and
tape will only piss the judge and the other competitors off AND make the event
run late. I am more impressed with someone like Duncan Bell who walks up to the
boards says what he is going to do then does it. No fiddling around warming up,
pinching reeds changing tape, blowing water out of over warmed-up drone reeds,
no bridle adjustments or hair insertions.  Like any other experienced
competitor, he goes, he plays, he leaves. This idea of being prepared is not a
new topic. Piper and drummer has had bits about it in the past and it is a
common complaint among judges and games people.


>Oh - shaken.. not by the comment <<be prepared>>, as I mentioned, we found
>it,
>(and a number of other comments)  to be quite funny - but then I started to
>think, what if others take this stuff seriously?.. And there I was..
>
>>I laughed too, at the 'Prepared' comment.  But you seem overly shaken by
>>'whoever' said "[she] just wasn't prepared".


I don't think it's funny to watch your daughter try to get her act together
(unforseen events not withstanding) while the world waits. I think it is
disrespectful to the judge and the other competitors.
I don't think that's funny if it can be helped. I wish the two min. scratch
rule was enforced. If (you can't get your shit together) you aren't prepared
you're out.
JGS


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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 15:02:31 -0500
From: "Maeve" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) True confessions

I have decided something over the last few days and need to clear my
conscience with a confession. And I'm curious to see if there are any more
"sick puppies", like myself, out there. Here it goes . . . .sit tight! . .
..  I like setting up pipes and playing with reeds more than I like playing
them!!! GO FIGURE! This reality hit me the other day when I was playing with
the cane reeds in Angus. He was going SO nicely with my Wygents that I
couldn't figure out WHY I would go about making changes! Then there was the
parade Saturday night. A friend asked me to be part of the flag corps for a
local pipe band. We were on the field, awaiting the start of the parade,
when I heard this horrible, familiar squeal. Looking over my shoulder, I
could see a couple of pipers toying with drone reeds. I walked over and
said, "Trying to set up Wygents in Dunbars?" Startled, they affirmed that I
was correct. "Mind if I try?" I asked. The one fellow told me that he had
these reeds for a year and couldn't get them to play. I took the bass drone
reed, tweaked it a little and handed it back. They plugged it in and it
played. Curiosity overtook me again and I asked if I could try his pipe. The
middle tenor was corked and I played them for a moment. Since the parade was
about to begin, I told him that if he meet me sometime this week, I would
set them up and have them playing for him . . . . it was ALL too familiar .
. . been there, did that, won't go back! Poor guy! I'm meeting with him
Thursday night!  AND . . another friend just got an set of Wygents to try.
Not having any spare time for himself, I told him that I would do the
break-in and  set up for him (being the Wygent Drone Queen of the South!)!
Is this sick???? And I now have my cane reeds singing beautifully, drones
are tuning about where I want them to tune, and this is just in time for the
NEW drone reeds that will be arriving! GEEZ!!!! Does anyone else enjoy this
same passion for challenges?? Anyone want their reeds broken in??!??! :) :)
:) :) :) :) I have to quit this and do some practicing before too long!!!
Orlando is coming up . . DAVE!!! :)
- --
Love and Light be with you,
Maeve . . . in sunny Florida
http://people.delphi.com/terralyn
[e-mail]
"Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds  like excess."
             --- Oscar Wilde



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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 15:15:20 -0500
From: Chris Hamilton <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Regarding Blowing Tone

On 14 Dec 1999 19:23:11 GMT, [e-mail] (Jginmd) wrote:

>The more time you spend in front of a judge fooling with your horn the more
>sound you offer up for critque. If you are a serious competitor you know this.
>It can work in your favour or very much against you.

> Taking too much time in front of a judge farting around with your tuning and
>tape will only piss the judge and the other competitors off AND make the event
>run late. I am more impressed with someone like Duncan Bell who walks up to the
>boards says what he is going to do then does it. No fiddling around warming up,
>pinching reeds changing tape, blowing water out of over warmed-up drone reeds,
>no bridle adjustments or hair insertions.  Like any other experienced
>competitor, he goes, he plays, he leaves. This idea of being prepared is not a
>new topic. Piper and drummer has had bits about it in the past and it is a
>common complaint among judges and games people.

Yup, I agree 100%, John.

Sometimes games committees will state that a tuning limit (ie, 5 mins)
will be enforced, then they don't enforce it. This was the sorry case
a two or three years ago at Altamont / Capital District.  Certain, and
more than one, individuals tuned for, I kid you not, 10 (TEN) minutes
for their H&J contest, while others of us were waiting to go on trying
to keep our pipes at their peak.  A gentle reminder to the steward
resulted in a "Yes, I'll speak to them" and then nothing was done.

The judge looked annoyed, but he too didn't do anything about it.  The
weather conditions were not adverse, in fact it was a beautiful day.

Yep, if you're not pretty much in tune and "all systems go" when you
step on the boards, either talk to the steward or the judge to see if
you can play later, or pack it in that day.

Just a pet peeve of mine.

Chris
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris Hamilton -- [e-mail]
City of Washington Pipe Band
http://toneczar.freeservers.com/

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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 15:31:09 -0500
From: Bentley Wall <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Rowan Tree (facts)

The original medical sources I listed went on to say they hadn't tested
them really.  As in the nonmedical science community, whenever things haven't
been tested they usually rate them as overly hazardous in the cover your ass
way of doing things.  This is not to say that the berries are mildly toxic or
not.  They merely said that when in doubt, take precautions, and they hadn't
tested them officially to the point where they could state with certainty that

they were NOT mildly toxic.  Also, many natural things are mildly toxic
until they are cooked.  So, in the case of your recipes, which I did not look
up actually, cooking things may make them OK whereas eating them off
the tree may not.  I do not know.  Anyway, I was not stating that they were
toxic.  I was just pointing to a few internet sites where there was some basic

information.  I hope this clears it up.  Thanks for the additional
information.
Someone will undoubtedly try the recipes and let us know about the
toxicity....although....if some of the 'cooks' I know prepared the items,
they would be toxic in the end whether or not the berries were at any time
toxic themselves!  : )

Bentley Wall




"Ewan A. Macpherson" wrote:

> Bentley Wall wrote:
>
> > when asked (again) what the hell a Rowan Tree was...I decided to post
> > this.  This info has been gathered from the web.  The medical section
> > was from a place that specified no redistribution so I took most of the
> > medical stuff out and left mostly just the general knowledge stuff in
> > there.
> > Hey most of the medical stuff was the same as every other kind of mildly
> >
> > toxic plant or berry (don't eat it; if you do see a doctor right away)
>
> Really?  I've eaten rowan jelly many times with no ill effects.
> Here's a recipe:
> http://oregonlive.com/gardening/vern/garvern981224.html
>
> This site also lists the berries as edible:
> http://www.u-net.com/trees/p5-25.htm
>
> --
> Ewan Macpherson               <[e-mail]>
> http://www-personal.umich.edu/~emacpher/pipes.html


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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 23:44:18 GMT
From: "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

Mark, you're twisting this into something that it is not!  This is not a
slam against you or your reeds.  Hell, I like them!  No, at this point they
are not my first choice, but this doesn't make me, or you, bad people.  And
it doesn't mean that your reeds aren't the perfect choice for the next guy.

I apologize for not sending them back for further adjustment.  I explained
earlier that I hadn't gotten a chance to give them a fair assessment because
we were in the middle of the competition season.  I don't like to fool with
a set-up that's working for me.  Have you ever been the guy in the band to
blow the attack?  Me neither and I wasn't about to push my good fortune.
Since the season ended, I've played them quite a bit, in several different
sets of pipes with different chanter reeds.  My observations are what they
are.

Pretty needless shots you take.  Considering the praise that I was heaping
on you and the reeds, I hope you don't treat all your customers that way.
No games are being played.  I don't want your money.  Besides, if you sent
money, I'd have to give it to the guy who bought the first set of reeds,
which I returned to you following your generous offer to exchange them for
reeds "set" for me and my pipe.

Finally, I'm having "no time" with John, good ol' or otherwise.  Haven't
seen him in weeks.  Suggesting that John and I are having any "time" with
this or any other topic is just to simplistic, if not opportunistic.  So
let's call a truce and just focus on issues of piping and piping products.

So, let's pretend that I'm a valued customer.  Other than telling me to send
the reeds back for adjustment, what can I do to correct the problems I'm
having?  Also, what about that pointy end?  Was there another reason or were
you trying to kill me with it?  Why no external pitch adjustment?
Sincerely
Ringo

<[e-mail]> wrote in message news:836hbq$r2e$[e-mail]...
> In article <uHv54.3103$[e-mail]>,
>   "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]> wrote:
> > Thanks Bill, really good comments/insights.  Yes I did get the reeds
> direct
> > from Mark and I will also confess that I have not been completely
> faithful
> > to them, but then I am so inclined with other synthetic reeds.  With
> only
> > the smallest amount of tongue in cheek, I will also admit that I know
> my way
> > around drone reeds, both synthetic and cane.  The Rocket Reed is very
> > unique....  couple quick comments:
> > 1) There are several techniques to flatten the bass drone pitch.
> What about
> > to sharpen the pitch, as in an old pipe that likes to tune low on the
> pin?
>
> In the case of *some* old pipes which like to tune low on the pin, I'd
> recommend buying reeds for *those* pipes.
>
> > 2) You're right about the bridle sensitivity of synthetic reeds.  The
> Ross
> > synthetic (black plastic with the cane tongue) reed is the least
> sensitive
> > of all of them.  I would rate the Rocket no higher than the most
> sensitive
> > of the lot.  I guess I was more concerned about the effects of bridle
> > adjustment than the amount of bridle adjustment.
>
> I made the reed so it can be easily taken down and cleaned.  O-rings
> facilitate this feature.  You might not like to use O-rings.  So use
> black waxed hemp instead - no big deal.
>
> The first set of reeds you tried were made to fit Naills pitched quite
> high using a very hard chanter reed.  You took me up on my offer to
> exchange them at no charge.  I sent new reeds to you set for a "medium"
> chanter reed and you emailed to explain they were squealing on strike-
> in.  I responded that they were still set too hard and to send them
> back so I could adjust the strength.  I've not seen the reeds yet,
> Ron.  Are you going to give me the opportunity to set them up
> correctly, or shall we play this game?
>
> Tell you what Ron, even though you didn't buy those reeds yourself, I'm
> willing to buy them back from you.  You and John can have a good ol'
> time at my expense.
>
> Mark
>
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.



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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 22:46:19 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

In article <uHv54.3103$[e-mail]>,
  "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]> wrote:
> Thanks Bill, really good comments/insights.  Yes I did get the reeds
direct
> from Mark and I will also confess that I have not been completely
faithful
> to them, but then I am so inclined with other synthetic reeds.  With
only
> the smallest amount of tongue in cheek, I will also admit that I know
my way
> around drone reeds, both synthetic and cane.  The Rocket Reed is very
> unique....  couple quick comments:
> 1) There are several techniques to flatten the bass drone pitch.
What about
> to sharpen the pitch, as in an old pipe that likes to tune low on the
pin?

In the case of *some* old pipes which like to tune low on the pin, I'd
recommend buying reeds for *those* pipes.

> 2) You're right about the bridle sensitivity of synthetic reeds.  The
Ross
> synthetic (black plastic with the cane tongue) reed is the least
sensitive
> of all of them.  I would rate the Rocket no higher than the most
sensitive
> of the lot.  I guess I was more concerned about the effects of bridle
> adjustment than the amount of bridle adjustment.

I made the reed so it can be easily taken down and cleaned.  O-rings
facilitate this feature.  You might not like to use O-rings.  So use
black waxed hemp instead - no big deal.

The first set of reeds you tried were made to fit Naills pitched quite
high using a very hard chanter reed.  You took me up on my offer to
exchange them at no charge.  I sent new reeds to you set for a "medium"
chanter reed and you emailed to explain they were squealing on strike-
in.  I responded that they were still set too hard and to send them
back so I could adjust the strength.  I've not seen the reeds yet,
Ron.  Are you going to give me the opportunity to set them up
correctly, or shall we play this game?

Tell you what Ron, even though you didn't buy those reeds yourself, I'm
willing to buy them back from you.  You and John can have a good ol'
time at my expense.

Mark


Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

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------------------------------

Date: 15 Dec 1999 00:47:27 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Zudupiper)
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: help...with Crisler tie-in

>I use a wooden dowel the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the
>bottom of the stock. I run the dowel through the end of the bag and
>align the rod with the location of the hole.

Now why didn't I think of that?  Great idea!

Zu

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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 22:23:18 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

In article <MQv54.2070$[e-mail]>,
  "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]> wrote:
> Ken, what a great post.  Especially liked your comments about what
works for
> one, might not work for another and about those who make broad
unilateral
> statements.  Not sure about the "pointy end" thing.  I swear by
inverted
> bass drone reeds.  No aerodynamics there!  Great stuff.  Thanks.
> Ringo

No aerodynamics for an inverted bass?  Let's take a look.  The air
entering the stock has plenty of time to establish a steady flow regime
before entering the orifice because the free end of the blade is well
away from the stock entrance.  The air moving past the reed feels
little resistance.  The purpose of the nose-cone is the same, in
addition to its functionality as means for tuning.

One might argue that frictional losses are negligible anyway, so why
bother?  Same reason Kron bothers to make a venturi pipe chanter
stock.  Same reason many pipers are having their drone stocks
"flaired."  All decrease frictional losses.

We might look at tuning the same way.  If, on a cold morning, we tune
at 468 Hz and are tuning two fingers off the bass bottom, and then that
afternoon it's quite hot and we're tuning at 474 Hz, is the 1/4 to 3/8
inch we must tune further down the bass bottom pin really going to get
your panties in a twist?  And is it really going to kill the day if you
have to pack the nose-cone to maintain that certain amount of hemp on
your tenors?  Maybe for you.  Maybe for John.

Mark


Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

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------------------------------

Date: 15 Dec 1999 01:04:45 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Zudupiper)
Subject: (bagpipe) Almost Blowing Tone

 I spent my practice today coming dangerously close to blowing tone.  A couple
of times I had it for a few minutes but it got away.  I'm waiting for a new bag
because my current one is greasy and ineffective with absorbing moisture, and I
think this is what kept me from actually blowing tone for more than a couple of
minutes.

I was doing a number of things at once....putting the final touches on a new
reed and adjusting it for final strength and intonation.  Finally got it seated
just right, or so I thought.  Played for a while, then I realized that I had
set the chanter reed and tuned the pipes to a slightly different pressure than
I actually play at.  Not a big difference, but noticeable over the long haul.
Also noticeable (and annoying) when most of the scale seems nicely in tune with
the drones, but loA isn't.  Then I realized the rest of the scale isn't as nice
as it could be.  Fiddle again.

Once I realized that, I had to reseat the reed a little deeper and of course
retune the drones.  Just about the time I was finally happy with everything
(after about 45 minutes), the chanter reed had absorbed enough moisture to get
hard enough to make one of the drones shut off.  In any case the drone reeds
were pretty wet by now.

Moral of the story: I shouldn't bother doing this again until I have a new bag
lashed on.

(Hear that, madman?)

BTW,  I'm no longer using or recommending the Murphy's Oil Soap-Crisco homemade
seasoning.  There is a learning curve here.  It took a couple years and 3 bags,
but I've finally seen the light.  Sorry, Royce.

Zu

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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 20:45:01 GMT
From: Bill Carr <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

Ron Bowen wrote:

Snipped

> The Rocket Reed is very unique....  couple quick comments:
> 1) There are several techniques to flatten the bass drone pitch.  What about
> to sharpen the pitch, as in an old pipe that likes to tune low on the pin?

Bridle adjustment to a certain extent. You can also put a small amount of the
putty in the reed body, in the nose cone end. That will sharpen the reed a
touch.

I wonder if it's really an issue at all though. Mark custom makes the reed to
the drone, so if you have a drone that tunes very low he would compensate for
that in the dimensions of the reed.

Bill

Just for the record. I wouldn't pretend to know a fraction of what Ron knows
about reeds or setting up bagpipes so I hope I'm not coming across as a "Know
All". I'm just sharing what I have experienced.





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------------------------------

Date: 14 Dec 1999 23:52:21 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Bobalewi)
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Rowan Tree (facts) or fiction?

If a piper were to contract arthritis and could not play because of this, the
planting of a Rowan tree on the side of the house would cure them of the
affliction.

As told to myself by Angus J. at the College

B.

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------------------------------

Date: 15 Dec 1999 01:16:44 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Zudupiper)
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

> Also, what about that pointy end?  Was there another reason or were
>you trying to kill me with it?  Why no external pitch adjustment?

Arrgh! Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! (Old Monty Python reference
here.)

I'm glad my Zu reeds were not a radical departure from industry standards or
I'd be getting grilled now ; )

Zu

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------------------------------

Date: 15 Dec 1999 01:21:39 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Zudupiper)
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: True confessions

> I told him that I would do the
>break-in and  set up for him (being the Wygent Drone Queen of the South!)!

Better than being the WIcked Witch of the West at any rate ; )

If he sends me the reeds I can Zudutongue them and there won't be a breakin
period.

Yeah, I like setting up reeds too but it's work sometimes.  I especially like
taking a set of unplayable reeds, reworking them, and playing them in to the
point where I'm happy with the sound.  Takes a couple hours, but if does
provide a nice feeling of accomplishment.

Zu

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Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 17:28:31 -0800
From: Mike Le Boeuf <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Lochaber Oak

Rick wrote:
>
> Thanks Mike, Ok, looks like Red Oak is definitely a miss, but. . . does
> anyone out there play Cameron's Bagpipe?  The Lochaber Oak certainly must
> have more agreeable qualities. . .
>
> Best regards,
> Rick
>
> Mike Le Boeuf <[e-mail]> wrote in message
> news:[e-mail]...
> > LoL, I did the same thing...
> > I put layers and layers of odd thick goupy finishes on it to seal the
> > pores.  After it looked like it was droped in glue.

I have seen some types of oak that have almost no pores, but I think
this is a Burl.  Often there is alot of knots in the wood (I think thats
all it is), but its a very strong piece of the wood.

Also, A very hard Walnut wood works for Uilleann Pipe drones.
so it should work for PC's.
Mike

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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 02:04:09 GMT
From: "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

Well, Mark, looks like it's you and me.  So be it!

Are you telling me that you designed the pointy end for aerodynamic reasons?
If so, how did it perform with a blunter weapon on the end?  Would Wygent
and other makers improve the performance of their reeds by adapting a pointy
end too?

I've always been curious about inverted cane bass reeds.  I've used them for
years and swear by them.  I never really understood whether it was the reed,
or the fact that I had so much confidence in them, that gave me 100% attacks
and solid performance.  Have you tried making an inverted synthetic reed,
bass or tenor?

Also, I don't know of anybody that makes or uses inverted cane tenor reeds.
I'm curious why an inverted bass would work so well but nobody seems to be
pursuing inverted tenor reeds.  Maybe we could get a couple of the cane reed
makers to comment.

When you speak of frictional loss, how much are you talking about.  I
generally find that most pipers would do well to keep an airtight bag, or
air-efficient reeds, let alone worry about the frictional losses of air
travelling over reeds or through stocks.  Brings to mind something about a
perfect world vs the real world....

Your last paragraph is uncalled for...but I'll give it a go.  What would you
rather do when setting up a drone reed.  Re-tie the bridle, chop the end
off, scrape the tongue, etc. etc. or twist a screw knob in the end of the
reed.  Same question, which would you rather do, pull the nose cone off the
Rocket Ship, slap in some putty, insert nose cone back onto Rocket Ship
or..... twist a screw knob in the end of the reed.  Pretty simple question.
Now, try not to come up with a complicated or insulting answer.

Last point... What has John got to do with this?  Nobody here is spoiling
for a fight.  Both he and I can surely speak for ourselves.  Incidentally, I
don't see him on this thread (other that the initial post) which is good.  I
understand that he's been rough on you and others on the NG but this has
nothing to do with me, or if so, please point out to me where it does.

Ringo

<[e-mail]> wrote in message news:836g05$psj$[e-mail]...
> In article <MQv54.2070$[e-mail]>,
>   "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]> wrote:
> > Ken, what a great post.  Especially liked your comments about what
> works for
> > one, might not work for another and about those who make broad
> unilateral
> > statements.  Not sure about the "pointy end" thing.  I swear by
> inverted
> > bass drone reeds.  No aerodynamics there!  Great stuff.  Thanks.
> > Ringo
>
> No aerodynamics for an inverted bass?  Let's take a look.  The air
> entering the stock has plenty of time to establish a steady flow regime
> before entering the orifice because the free end of the blade is well
> away from the stock entrance.  The air moving past the reed feels
> little resistance.  The purpose of the nose-cone is the same, in
> addition to its functionality as means for tuning.
>
> One might argue that frictional losses are negligible anyway, so why
> bother?  Same reason Kron bothers to make a venturi pipe chanter
> stock.  Same reason many pipers are having their drone stocks
> "flaired."  All decrease frictional losses.
>
> We might look at tuning the same way.  If, on a cold morning, we tune
> at 468 Hz and are tuning two fingers off the bass bottom, and then that
> afternoon it's quite hot and we're tuning at 474 Hz, is the 1/4 to 3/8
> inch we must tune further down the bass bottom pin really going to get
> your panties in a twist?  And is it really going to kill the day if you
> have to pack the nose-cone to maintain that certain amount of hemp on
> your tenors?  Maybe for you.  Maybe for John.
>
> Mark
>
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.



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------------------------------

Date: 15 Dec 1999 02:16:33 GMT
From: [e-mail] (JSLOANPR)
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

>the bridle. I find that by just
>putting pressure on it in the direction I want it to go seems to move
>it enough to make a difference even though I can't feel any actual
>movement.

My experiance also, a very wee nudge goes a long way.

I  have never heard my ML reeds come close to anything like a squeal.

These reeds have played for me and not shut off when the nose caps were full of
water and my pipes sopping wet.

The only reeds I have tried that were easier to strike in for me were
Shepherds.

Jim

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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 02:28:33 GMT
From: "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

Opps!  Well, Zu, don't know how, but you got me!

Obviously this was intended for Zu only, but since it's posted we might as
well talk about it.  Stop laughing!  It could have been a lot worse!

Listen guys, I've got no axe to grind about this product or other products,
or about Mark or Mitchell.  I don't necessarily care for how they (and
others) carry on, but then all I have to do it block their posts and I don't
have to deal with it.

My point in getting into this thread was that Mitchell asked a legitimate
question and got gang-banged.  Not because of the question, but because of
his historical behavior on the NG.  Just so happened that it was a good
question, deserving of an answer.

By the way, I do like Mark Wygent's new DuoTone.  It does what I need it to
do and sounds just like cane. Wasn't my intention to bring it up, but that's
what happens when you don't pay attention.

Ringo

Ron Bowen <[e-mail]> wrote in message
news:vGC54.3364$[e-mail]...
> Zu, where are you when I need you?!   I'm in too deep now to back down!  I
> basically want to get these guys talking about their products, not
bragging
> about them!  Too much chest thumping and grunting for my liking.  I don't
> care for Mitchell's approach either.
>
> Check out Mark's answer on the inverted bass drone reed.  These guys use
> mumbly words.
>
> I haven't made the point yet, and I'm not sure that I will, however it
> should not be necessary to send reeds back and forth 3 and 4 times to get
> them "right".  Wait until word gets out on Wygents new duotone.  Have you
> tried it yet?  You will be amazed!
>
> Eat well and rest.  I may need you!
>
> Ringo
>
> Zudupiper <[e-mail]> wrote in message
> news:[e-mail]...
> > > Also, what about that pointy end?  Was there another reason or were
> > >you trying to kill me with it?  Why no external pitch adjustment?
> >
> > Arrgh! Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! (Old Monty Python
reference
> > here.)
> >
> > I'm glad my Zu reeds were not a radical departure from industry
standards
> or
> > I'd be getting grilled now ; )
> >
> > Zu
> >
>
>



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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 20:30:28 -0600
From: Tad Myers <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: P/M of Minnesota Pipes and Drums steps down!

For the record I had nothing to do with this posting. For those
of you not
in the Twin Cities, I apologize for wasting band width. For
those of you in
the area, I don't post things anonymously like the little coward
that
posted this!

Tad Myers

ps. Here's a question for the group...is this little turd spam
poster the
same worthless pond scum who has been posting all the penis
enlargement
garbage? I bet it is.

lp2zk3 wrote:

>  Monday, December 13, 1999
>
>  To: Minnesota Pipes and Drums Board of Directors
>  Minnesota Pipes and Drums Membership (Please pass on to mbrs
>  missed via e-mail)
>
>  Dear Friends:
>
>  Now that we have the most recent crisis behind us, I feel that is
>  time that we reevaluate the management of the band.
>
>  I have had the honor of being this bands Pipe Major for many years
>  and have had the pleasure of leading the band through many changes.
>  From 1989 to the present, we have changed the name of the band three
>  times, dropped the saffron kilts green hose and balmorals, competed in
>  Ireland and Scotland and forged wonderful relationships with the law
>  enforcement community. Probably the most dramatic change from the late
>  80's is that both membership and finances have doubled many times
>  over. I look back at those years past (my first directive as PM was to
>  let people of gender a.k.a. "females" in the band!) and cannot believe
>  what wonderful progress we have made together. (And they said it
>  couldn't be done*) As you can see from the bragging above, I am
>  extremely proud of what we have accomplished!
>
>  The band is in a wonderful position to succeed. We are financially
>  strong, and I have never been so confident as I am now in the bands
>  musical competitive possibilities. From the business side of the
>  organization, the Board of Directors is as fine a set of competent
>  people that this band could put together. Financial policies and
>  procedures are in place to carry us on for many years.
>
>  So, it is time that this poorly written memo gets to the meat of the
>  message: I am stepping down as Pipe Major effective immediately.
>
>  I have told myself many times that I would step down (if I didn't get
>  tossed out first*) when someone came along that could do the job
>  better and wouldn't wreck my good efforts. The fact is we have strong
>  players in the pipe corps, any one of them with talent enough to be a
>  great PM for the band.
>
>  I wish I could have written this memo in time for the AGM, but events
>  with the Emerald Society and Richard Cady's other machinations proved
>  to take more time to solve then I would have liked. I felt it would
>  have been bad form for me to step down during a period of time that I
>  was directly needed to help "preserve and protect" the band and its
>  relationships with the outside community. Now that we are on an even
>  keel, and before something else should rear its ugly head, I am
>  sending out this note. Hence the word "immediately".
>
>  I am stepping down for many reasons. First and foremost I feel a bit
>  guilty for not being able to spend the time needed in the recent past
>  to be, what I felt was necessary to be, a good PM. When I first became
>  Pipe Major, I was single and had plenty of time to terrorize all
>  parties in the piping world, both foreign and domestic, to push
>  forward my agenda. Now I find that I have little enough time to even
>  gossip with my friends!
>
>  I have also reached a spot in my career that dictates I spend time
>  maneuvering for a new position. The Medicare rules in my business are
>  changing, and the market that I work in has become somewhat saturated.
>  Both issues are complications to someone in sales. All this
>  positioning takes time and energy that I will need to "steal" from
>  other activities.
>
>  Family is also a factor. Kids sport stuff, family fishing trips
>  scheduled during the Chicago games etc. Guilt, guilt, guilt.
>
>  It is with mixed emotions that I submit my resignation. As you can
>  tell by this poorly written memo, it is not an easy thing to give up
>  something that has meant so much to me and that I've grown so
>  comfortable with. But I also feel that the time is right for others to
>  take over. I can't help but feel that I am still PM out of habit. The
>  band needs a PM with drive and fire to take the band to the next
>  level.
>
>  I'm not quitting the band, just the responsibility I have to the
>  band. I seek freedom from "hobby exertion" and room to maneuver. That
>  is all. I plan on making all the practices and competitions that I
>  can. I will try my hardest to give the new PM room to wiggle. (I will
>  try my hardest to behave myself*)
>
>  I would recommend that Galen as VP take over as band president until
>  a replacement is found for band PM/President. Jessica as Pipe Sgt.
>  Grade III should take over my duties on the Grd. III musical front.
>
>  Many of you I consider the best and finest friends I would ever want
>  to have and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the
>  support you have given me throughout the years. I could not have had
>  the success it was my luck to enjoy without you. You are truly a
>  classy bunch of folks!
>
>  Warmest Regards,
>
>  PM Charles Timmers, Ret.
>  Minnesota Pipes and Drums

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End of bagpipe-digest V1 #222
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