This is probably a stupid question but if someone has drones in the key of C, what adjustments would be need to be made to play a C# chanter on that set? Is it as simple as tuning the pins up?
Tim Britton has some comments on converting a D set of drones and regulators into a flat set, at the bottom of this page: http://www.skep.com/britton/pipes.htm
He says, “This is done with small adjustments to, or replacement, of the reeds, along with adjustments to the tuning slides.”
It seems that the same idea should work in reverse.
Tuning up a half tone (C to C#) should be feasible without losing too much stability (warbling, reed closing too easily, etc.).
Obviously, you’ll have to shorten all three drone slides, and you may have to adjust (upwards) the bridles on the three drone reeds. You may lose stability when you adjust the bridles, and you might even cause a drone to jump to the next harmonic, so only move the bridle a hair’s breadth each time.
Don’t know what you are referring to when you mention tuning pins. Drones don’t have tuning pins (regulators have them).