Use these innovative drone reeds with a new sense of confidence and a reinvigorated level of playing enjoyment. First introduced to the world's piping community in April, 1995, they represent a major advance in both the sound of the Great Highland Bagpipe and the ease of its setup and maintenance. A synthesis of technology and tradition, they are the product of years of experience and experimentation. Because the body of the reed is fashioned from a cellulose (wood fibre) polymer, they produce a tonal range nearly identical to cane, but with none of the drawbacks associated with that substance.

Capable of full mid-tone reproduction, they are emphatically not a hollow-sounding reed. And with the addition of a threaded tuning pin at the bottom, they are fully adjustable - from a clear, bold sound; to a more muted "solo" blend. Manufactured one at a time, and to exacting, repeatable standards, they are preadjusted, virtually impervious to moisture and temperature changes, and are extremely steady. Each reed is handmade, individually adjusted, and tested in a drone prior to shipment. They are not mass produced.

SYNTHETIC DRONE REEDS

For hundreds of years bagpipe reedmakers have cut their product from Mediterranean reed cane (arundo donax). Despite the best efforts of some fine craftsmen for whom reed making is a labor of love, grizzled veterans and inexperienced pipers alike are sometimes hard-pressed to love their cane drone reeds, and find them nothing but labor. The reward is, of course, the lovely tone which cane is able (eventually) to deliver. The vagaries of climate can undo in a few moments even the best set of cane reeds. The challenge has been to utilize modern-day technology and materials to produce a more standardized, predictable product which is able to resist the effects of moisture and temperature, yet still produce the lovely tone all pipers seek.

In 1985 Geoff Ross of Australia pioneered the first synthetic drone reed for the Great Highland Bagpipe. His injection-molded black plastic reed featured tuning plugs and a plastic-impregnated cane tongue. The Champion Drone Reed followed suit. A brass drone reed body is used for some Uillean pipes, and in Spain, others have for well over 20 years made drone reeds for Galician pipes from plastic tubing and thin metal tongues.

During the early 1990's, the R.T. Shepherd Co. of Scotland successfully introduced another synthetic drone reed for the bagpipe. The reed, of injection-molded black plastic, features replaceable plastic tongues and has been very popular with both bands and solo players alike. These reedmakers deserve the respect and appreciation of pipers throughout the world.

While developing our synthetic drone reed, we rejected many ideas and possibilities. It was our intention from the beginning that our product would honor the integrity of other designs and would never be confused with them, either visually or from the standpoint of performance.

Our drone reeds incorporate revolutionary materials, an adjustable bridle, and a threaded tuning pin. They are crafted with care. When properly set up, they produce a sound which is indistinguishable from cane. Dimensional stability is excellent, so climatic problems are relegated to memory. And since overall dimensions have been standardized, the demand for consistent performance has been met. Our reeds are individually machined by hand on lathes and milling machines from a warm-sounding wood-based material manufactured to our specifications. The tongues are fashioned from a tough, malleable plastic for sound and durability. We are gratified to hear reports that many of our first sets, sold in 1995, are still being played!

More pictures and concise histories and descriptions of many more bagpipe drone reeds can be found on Andrew Lenz's website page entitled Identifying Drone Reeds.

Thank you for your interest in our products.