The Royal Scots Cap Badge

Drone Tuning

by Alec Farrell
(Reichenbach Germany)

Hello Bill,
I am having a problem with my SM 90's especially the Bass drone.

When I blow up the bag and set them off the drone reed screeches and only sets in properly when I flick the top of the drone. Have you had problems like this and what could be the cure.

Thanking you in advance.

Alec




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Drone Tuning

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Jul 25, 2011
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by: Bill Robertson

http://www.shepherd-bagpipes.com/pdf/RTS_Instruction_SM90.pdf

Above, Alec is the link from Henrik Hornhaver, Denmark, sent to me for you. As you you can see it is a contact for your reed maker who should be pleased to help you if still unable to solve your drone reed problem.
I trust that helps - Good to let us all know if you found a solution.
Regards,
Bill
Jul 25, 2011
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by: Anonymous

Hi Alec:

It's just as Bill says, the tongue is probably a wee bit too short and hence stiff and that's what makes it more likely to jump into a higher octave as it starts.

It's also possible that you might just need to give the bag a bit more energy when you start though it may be that your chanter reed is becoming easier and your afraid of an early E so not being quite so vigorous with your start.

Hope that helps too,
Robert McDonald
EKPB
Jul 24, 2011
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by: Bill Robertson

Hello Alec,
Please let me know what SM 90 means (make of year of a certain make? etc.). The make of your drone reeds would also help to let me try and find a solution to your bass problem.

I suspect that the reed might be to blame - the tongue/vibrating blade not free enough; being too short in the bridle setting on the blade. Shift the bridle up by small degrees to make the blade longer then test mouth blown through the drone to find the free sound you need, yet not rough. The upper part of the bass drone should be well up on the tuning pin to show a few mm of the binding and prevent nasty double tones that may happen with some bass reeds.

Trusting that is of some help - and all the best,
Bill

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