pinhole in the side of my chanter

A forum about Uilleann (Irish) pipes and the surly people who play them.
Post Reply
dackerts
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:26 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: I play the uilleann pipes and whistles in Iceland. Apparently I need more characters here. And even more than that.

pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by dackerts »

Hello
still pretty new to uilleann piping and still trying to get the best out my Charles Roberts half set. I have a pinhole (less than 1mm) in the side of the chanter just above the A hole. I generally cover it with tape but it seems to be related to the hard D. If I cover it, the "hard" D is not terribly hard but in tune compared to high D and A, with it open it's about 20-30 cents sharp but really honks.

I've not read about this being a common thing - has anyone seen it before? Any tips for using it while flattening the hard D enough to be usable? I've already got a couple bits of plastic in the bell.

I also have always had a rather sharp hIgh E and F# with this combination if that helps. I live far away from reedmakers so I'm making do with what I've got at the moment.
Torrin Riáin
Posts: 108
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 2:50 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: a sentence or 2. Having a field that requires 100 characters get displayed next to each and every post I make sure is annoying.
Location: Providence, RI-ish

Re: pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by Torrin Riáin »

I've never heard of this. It almost sounds as if your chanter is drilled to have a G# key but the key is missing?

Do you have a picture you can share?
User avatar
Mr.Gumby
Posts: 6606
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:31 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Location: the Back of Beyond

Re: pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by Mr.Gumby »

I think I have seen a chanter long ago that had one or two little vent holes near the bottom of the chanter. I forget who made it and why it was done although it did have something to do with the bottom D. I believe either the owner or the maker claimed it was something done by oboe makers. But it was long ago and the memory very hazy.

Always wondered how that sort of thing would affect tight fingerings, it doesn't seem a good idea from that point of view.
My brain hurts

Image
User avatar
pudinka
Posts: 277
Joined: Wed May 11, 2005 8:47 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 12
Location: 29N/95W

Re: pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by pudinka »

I have a book on recorder (and woodwinds in general) tuning that mentions this...but I don't have it handy.
It's true that you'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar - but a big, steaming pile works best of all.
dackerts
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:26 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: I play the uilleann pipes and whistles in Iceland. Apparently I need more characters here. And even more than that.

Re: pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by dackerts »

You can see it here, just above and to the left of the hinge pin for the Cnat key:

https://imgur.com/a/8avncWp

It produces quite a noticeable stream of air and I had the idea that it might reduce the responsiveness of staccato etc. so I've always covered it in tape. As far as I can tell with my calipers it's around 0,5mm.
User avatar
tommykleen
Posts: 1686
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2002 6:00 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: I am interested in the uilleann pipes and their typical -and broader- use. I have been composing and arranging for the instrument lately. I enjoy unusual harmonic combinations on the pipes. I use the pipes to play music of other cultures.
Location: Minnesota, Birthplace of the pop-up toaster
Contact:

Re: pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by tommykleen »

It almost looks like a chunk of the mount/chanter is missing. If so, I wonder if the hole is evidence of a bad pin-job repair(?)
User avatar
Mr.Gumby
Posts: 6606
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:31 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Location: the Back of Beyond

Re: pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by Mr.Gumby »

It almost looks like a chunk of the mount/chanter is missing. If so, I wonder if the hole is evidence of a bad pin-job repair(?)
It certainly doesn't look much like an intended vent hole.
My brain hurts

Image
geoff wooff
Posts: 633
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2013 3:12 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Location: centre France

Re: pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by geoff wooff »

Woodworm ? :o

If your hard D is not strident and 'in tune' then perhaps it is better to block this tiny hole and be happy . Sometimes a hard D can be much louder than the other notes and whilst this might not be disturbing to the piper , the listener might get the sense of a tune flowing happily along with the occasional blast from the bottom note. :really:
svick
Posts: 68
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 6:00 pm
Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
Location: Dublin

Re: pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by svick »

I had a Matt Kiernan chanter years ago when I lived in Australia.The chanter was grand when I got it but I moved to South Australia after I got the chanter and that's when the holes appeared.The chanter ended up covered in small holes.Some kind of wood borer had a good feed out of it.I can't remember what I did with it but I think I just plugged the holes.This was over 40 years ago in Australia and chanters were not plentiful.
User avatar
jon1908
Posts: 158
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:20 pm
antispam: No
Location: North Wales

Re: pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by jon1908 »

I found something similar on the bass drone in a set of GHB. A quick conversation with the maker and I was told that Blackwood sometimes has oil pockets in the wood and it’s nothing to worry about. Just fill it with some filler/glue mixed with Blackwood dust to colour it.
I too, thought my pipes were woodworm’s dinner :o
Steampacket
Posts: 3076
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2002 6:00 pm
Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
Location: Sweden

Re: pinhole in the side of my chanter

Post by Steampacket »

As has been suggested just cover the hole with tape or fill the hole in. Have you tried removing the bits of plastic in the bell, this could soften the the hard "D" sound. Like Geoff said if the chanter "tuning" is fine otherwise I'd leave it alone. There are so many variables to consider regarding the reed and tuning, and if you're new to uilleann piping this can be a minefield.

You write that "If I cover it, the "hard" D is not terribly hard but in tune compared to high D and A, with it open it's about 20-30 cents sharp but really honks."

Yes, I'd definately cover the pin hole and live with less "honk".
Post Reply