Patrick Murray : Reed dimentions or maker needed

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Northern Whistler
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Patrick Murray : Reed dimentions or maker needed

Post by Northern Whistler »

I need a reed for a Patrick Murray chanter. Does anyone know the specs of his reeds or anyone who is familiar making them.
His site says he is still making them, but I have been emailing him for a few weeks now and no reply, so I will have to look elsewhere and maybe into making one myself. So a good source for a reed making kit might be helpfull too.
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Joseph E. Smith
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Post by Joseph E. Smith »

Tim Britton has practically everything you may need for making reeds...tools, cane, calipers, guage thickness tools, gouges, sanding cylinders etc...

Davy Stephenson has a quite detailed step by step reed making guide that may be of great value at:

http://www.bagpipeworks.com/

Tim Britton at:

http://www.skep.com/britton/

Seth Gallagher has tools and a reed making guide at:

http://www.uilleann.com/index/html

Happy hunting.
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Northern Whistler
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Post by Northern Whistler »

I finally heard from Patrick, I will use these measurements and from my reed now and post it sometime for everyone. I ordered a bunch of reed making supplies from NPU, so as soon as they arrive, I will get busy trying to make a reed for my chanter. For the other Patrick Murray chanter users here is Patricks email, you can't blame the guy as there is only so much time in a day:

Hi there Darren. Sorry about the lack of response. I've been out of town
for some time, and the piles of communication are a bit overwhelming.

As to your reed requests/questions... I had intended to keep making reeds for other people, but time has proved to be too scarce. Sorry, but I won't be making any for sale anytime soon. When it comes to dimensions... well that question is difficult to answer. It will be disappointing, I know (i've been there), but I don't really have any dimensions to give beyond the
obvious...

The reed tip is .5" wide. The staple is 2" long. 7/8" of the cane is tied
to the staple, and (about) 1.125" of the cane protrudes beyond the staple.
The staple eye is .1" wide, and the cane is wrapped about .125" beyond the
staple. My sanding cylinder has a 2.5" diameter.

These dimensions are very basic, and unfortunately it's all I have for you.
The real trick is you have to figure out your own method. A reed's response is affected by variables much more subtle than these basic measurements.
The best advice I can offer is decide on your method/measurements/style, and stick to it. Try to make the same reed 50 times. If you get three that sound and play the same, then you're on the right track. Many of the variables are in your hands and eyes, and that's the place to start - make a ton of reeds.
It's frustrating as hell. And I'm sure you will be frustrated that I have
no more help to offer. Anyway goodluck. If I'm ever back in the game I
will let you know. . Perhaps we'll meet at a Tionol sometime, and I will
be gald to answer any specific reed questions.. Take care!

Patrick
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Brian Lee
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Re: Patrick Murray : Reed dimentions or maker needed

Post by Brian Lee »

Happy to have found this old info once again. Trying to recreate a reed with Pat's general layout from 15 or so years back. Thank goodness for archives like C&F!
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rorybbellows
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Re: Patrick Murray : Reed dimentions or maker needed

Post by rorybbellows »

Brian lee , now theres a name from the archives

RORY

ps HAPPY New year.
I'm Spartacus .
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