MG Cane Drone Reeds... Sound Just Like Cane ! - Kilts & More

waxed hemp bridle is that of tension. Know how to
tie the bridle correctly and you will soon get a feel
for the required tension.
As with the reed seat, cobblers wax or thermowax
should be used. The hemp should be well
waxed to ensure that it will resist moisture. As you
are pulling the strands neatly together the free end is
pulled to tension the bridle.
After tying the bridle test the reed, if the reed
squeals or stops then the bridle may be too tight.
If the reed is unsteady or dull sounding then the
bridle maybe too slack.
Get to Know Your Reeds
Finally… cane drone reeds enjoy a certain amount
of moisture, as do chanter reeds, if you use a
moisture control system it should be adjusted to
allow for this. It should be remembered that, as with
chanter reeds, cane drone reeds will go through
a blowing in period and full steadiness may not be
achieved until after this.
By the time you have blown in your reeds you
will have developed a feel for them and will know
the “steady window” for your bagpipe. This steady
window is the period that your drones will remain
locked together. This period will depend on various
factors such as moisture control, how selective you
have been with your reeds and general climatic
conditions.
Drone valves, or tone enhancers, are not necessary
with cane drone reeds.
MG Cane Drone Reeds...
Sound Just Like Cane !
Quality Reeds
M G R E E D S
M c C a l l u m B a g p i p e s
M o o r f i e l d I n d u s t r i a l E s t a t e
Tr o o n R o a d , K i l m a r n o c k
A y r s h i r e , K A 2 0 B A
Te l . - 0 1 5 6 3 5 2 7 0 0 2
F a x . - 0 1 5 6 3 5 3 0 2 6 0
e m a i l - i n f o @ m g r e e d s . c o m
C a n e D r o n e R e e d s f o r t h e
G r e a t H i g h l a n d B a g p i p e
Quality Reeds
w e b - w w w . m g r e e d s . c o m w w w . m g r e e d s . c o m

Cane is easy... give it a try
As with any reed, care should be taken when handling in order to avoid damage or disturbance of the tongue.
• Please read through these instructions to familiarise yourself with the parts and adjustments.
Seating your Reeds
Insert the reed into the reed seat of the drone.
Many pipes will have had the reeds seat reamed
out to accommodate some types of synthetic drone
reeds, it is very important that enough waxed hemp
is used to fill in this wider seat and form a good seal
as shown.
Ensure a good seal between
reed seat and reed
It is recommended
that hemp which has
been coated with
cobblers wax or
thermo-wax is used
to obtain the seal, this wax will stick to the wood
and prevent movement, beeswax hemp and
pre-waxed hemp has a tendency to slip.
Get them to vibrate
It will now be necessary to set your reeds to take the
correct amount of air for your bagpipe and strength
of chanter reed. You may find at first that the reed
will emit only a slight sound, or perhaps no sound
at all, this is quite normal with cane drone reeds as
the tongue can close after leaving the work bench.
If this has happened there can be a number of ways
in which to re-spring the tongue. As with many
things there is no right or wrong method and it is
recommended that you experiment a little and find
out what works for you. Usually a combination of
methods will provide you with the desired results...
Gently spring the tongue by lifting the end of it a
few times by 5 to 6 mm, do not let the tongue snap
back on the reed as this will eventually damage the
fibres.
Or... Gently roll the reed between the palms of
your hand.
Or... Insert a hair under the tongue and slide the
hair carefully right up to the bridle. If this results in
the reed now taking too much air just move the bridle
down a fraction towards the waxed end of the
reed. Some times it may be necessary to use two or
three hairs to obtain the required lift in the tongue.
Or... Unfold a paper clip as shown and insert it
into the open end of the reed. Position it so that the
raised end gently pushes on the tongue at a point
close to the bridle. Moving the clip in will lift the
tongue to take more air, moving it out will reduce
the opening and the amount of air.
And finally, my preferred option ...
Heat set the Tongue
Carefully slide a thin blade or thin piece of card
under the tip of the tongue and gently apply heat
from a lighter or match just in front of the bridle,
a couple of seconds is long
enough. Be careful though
as too much heat and the
reed will be scorched and
ruined.
Setting the pitch - Sharpening
Now that the reed is vibrating we can set the pitch,
again this is achieved by a combination of methods.
The pitch can be sharpened by positioning the
reed further into the drone.
Or... Moving the bridle away from the drone
towards the end.
Or... Shorten the over all length of the reed. First
remove the hemp from the open end, then with a
small saw or sharp knife cut about off about 2-3 mm.
This can be repeated but be careful not to shorten
the reed by more than about 8mm. After shortening
the body, roughen the last 6mm of the open end
with sand paper, just enough to remove the shine,
then re-apply the waxed hemp.
Or... Pack the nose of the reed with some putty
or similar non toxic pliable plastic.
Flattening
The pitch can be flattened by positioning
the reed further out of the drone.
Or... Moving the bridle towards the drone.
Or... Add some weight to the tongue. This
can be done by gently dripping a drop of candle
wax near the end of the tongue, alternatively
add a couple of thin strips of black tape.
It takes very little
weight to flatten
off a reed.
Bridles
The bridle is one of the keys to success with cane.
Some people will be satisfied with the use of elastics
as bridles but you will have to be a lot more selective
with your reeds if using these.
By far the most versatile bridle is the simple
waxed hemp bridle. The secret of success with a