Lovely tone, it's got that broad, woody, ancient tone, like an authentic old chanter! IIRC it was inspired by a 70's Hardie chanter, I am not sure if they used the original bore measurements and adjusted the holes, or they made completely new dimensions but drew on just the general shape? Very nice nonetheless 👍
Hi Matt - great video again! Have you compared the finger spacing between the Hardie Infinity Bb & a G1 Bb chanter? Interested to know your thoughts. Thanks!!
Matt any updates on your dedicated b-flat set up? Still using the Infinity chanter/Auckland drone reeds? Also… using the Braw tuner what do “target” for low A… 466? Thanks for the help!
Are you using a standard reed or a Bb flat chanter reed ? Have a Carbony Celtic Winds carbon fiber chanter in Bb flat with a Malcolm Mclaren synthetic chanter reed, #17, medium strength. A standard band reed and not a Bb flat reed. Along with the original Omega drone reeds, carbon fiber, tuned for Bb flat with drone reed extenders. Played this setup for 15 years, long before it was popular to have a Bb flat setup in pipes.
Matt i really like my Infinity chanter with drone extenders. Cutoffs are really difficult. Can i use a combination of the EZ drone reeds with extenders and drone valves?
Hi Matt, it would be interesting if you recorded one of your side by side comparisons playing the $70 Can Overtone A466 reeds and the $143 Can reed setup used in this video
Indeed it would be.. Alas, the reed extenders shown here have been returned (just had them to review). Good thing I still have my Acklands for playing in B-flat!
Very interesting comparison, Matt. Thanks! Have you played the Colin Kyo chanter? Murray also makes a Bb chanter, which I am in the process of setting up in an old set of Hardie's. I ordered a set of Ackland Bb reeds for that set. Thanks for introducing me to Terry's reeds.
What is the brand name and source of the drone extenders. I currently use long Redwood Reeds before the redwoods I used long Ezeedrone reeds. Still have these in my case as loaners.
Matt... have you ever been exposed to the RJM "b flat" chanter? I'm also looking to set up a b flat set... have you every thought of contacting Naill or Hardie and seeing if they would create a b flat "drone set"... with extended pins (versus using "extenders?)... I wonder if they have the capability? (bonus question... any manufacturer making a b flat chanter in ABW)... appreciate your review - great playing on your part! :)
I have not tried an RJM chanter... I believe you can get a G1 B-flat in blackwood, though it may have to be special ordered. I am not aware of a maker that produces actual B-flat sets...
Matt, I already play the extra long EZEE drone reeds with my Dad's Hendersons....would I just add the drone extenders to these, or would I need to buy a regular sized set of drone reeds to go with the extenders ?
I have not personally found a set of standard pitch drone reeds that could be adjusted to B-flat with the tuning screws alone. The tops still were tuning far too high on the hemp to be stable and not fall off.
The Omega has larger hols and more projection/volume (due to the larger holes) than the Infinity. That said, I don't think there is an Omega B-flat option...
That’s wasn’t my chanter, it was sent to me by Lone Star Piper to set up for a customer. Can’t remember what reed I used, though I imagine I said what it was in the video here. I use a Shepherd Orchestral chanter for B-flat these days.
Any opinion on how many cents off you like your notes lol or you just go by ear ?( I hate my recordings but my chanters been taped to a Tuner ) or dose the brawl tunner take this factor into consideration? Some big gouging on one hole there,, I'm still too nervous novice to take that step lol Final thought , if I buy a Bb chanter I only need extenders not different drone reeds? Makes logic when thinking how tweaking the chanter reed affects high A vs low A As a newfie " loved the dog berry tree" lol ...and thanks for your info and entertainment
I used a tuner to get into concert tuning. The easy part is basically any tuner would work, as well, you're not using GHB temperament. As for B-flat reeds vs. drone extenders... The Ackland 466 drone reed work very well, though they are a bit finicky to strike in. SO, for recording, I'd likely use the Acklands (where I can edit out or redo bad starts). Live? These RG Hardie extenders allow my to use my full Ezeedrone (with inverted bass) set up that I've come to rely on for B-flat (as the starts are more reliable, even if the tone is a but thinner than the Acklands)
I've taped my chanter to pitch on a seperate tunner(korg TM-60) with the low A set to match the calabration from the brawl app... everything is taped to be as close to pitch as I can but some notes sound extremely off ( might just be me not squeezing the bag properly or my embellishments aren't good enough to camouflage the transition).. just wondered if some notes needed to intentionally a shade sharper or flatter to match the drones , might be the tuner just aiming for a F instead of F# for what I know lol
Hello, thank you for all the updates. I have a 40 years RG Hardie bagpipes, I am interested in buying a new one, I would like to sell mine. I have a crack on the top base drone that was repaired by a pro in London. How can I sell it or do you know if I can trade it in for a new one?
Not aware of anyplace offering bagpipe trades. There are several bagpipe sales groups on Facebook or you could try eBay. Be aware, the crack (even if professionally repaired) will impact resale value, and with so many reasonably priced modern bagpipes, resale for older pipes tends to be fairly low (especially if any of the mounts have turned orange). Best of luck!
R.G.Hardie can supply a new drone section to match, they did this for my 60 year old set, if you send the drones/stocks to them they will replace the cracked section, refurbish them as new. The inititial cosr will be offset by the increased sale value. Hope this is of help. Best Wishes, pipe major John Anderson. Sussex England.
It is easy to play, as it has the same finger spacing as a Shepherd blackwood standard-pitched chanter. As for sounding electronic... Um, not sure what you mean...
Lovely tone, it's got that broad, woody, ancient tone, like an authentic old chanter!
IIRC it was inspired by a 70's Hardie chanter, I am not sure if they used the original bore measurements and adjusted the holes, or they made completely new dimensions but drew on just the general shape?
Very nice nonetheless 👍
Hi Matt - great video again! Have you compared the finger spacing between the Hardie Infinity Bb & a G1 Bb chanter? Interested to know your thoughts. Thanks!!
Matt any updates on your dedicated b-flat set up? Still using the Infinity chanter/Auckland drone reeds? Also… using the Braw tuner what do “target” for low A… 466? Thanks for the help!
I still have yet to get around to setting up a set for full-time B-flat playing... And yes, set the Braw to 466 to be in concert B-flat.
Are you using a standard reed or a Bb flat chanter reed ? Have a Carbony Celtic Winds carbon fiber chanter in Bb flat with a Malcolm Mclaren synthetic chanter reed, #17, medium strength. A standard band reed and not a Bb flat reed. Along with the original Omega drone reeds, carbon fiber, tuned for Bb flat with drone reed extenders. Played this setup for 15 years, long before it was popular to have a Bb flat setup in pipes.
Hey Matt, I'd be interested in seeing a video on blackwood/wooden pipe chanter reviews, I've only ever used plastic chanters.
Not a bad idea.... Let me see if I can work that into the rotation.
@@MattWillisBagpiper thanks Matt, look forward to it :)
What kind of pipes are you playing they look very nice
Those are my Robbies (Robertson replica) pipes by McGillivray/Dunbar.
Matt i really like my Infinity chanter with drone extenders. Cutoffs are really difficult. Can i use a combination of the EZ drone reeds with extenders and drone valves?
You could (assuming the reeds don't get extended past the end of the stocks)...
What reed did you use with this chanter? Thanks.
Hi Matt, it would be interesting if you recorded one of your side by side comparisons playing the $70 Can Overtone A466 reeds and the $143 Can reed setup used in this video
Indeed it would be.. Alas, the reed extenders shown here have been returned (just had them to review). Good thing I still have my Acklands for playing in B-flat!
Very interesting comparison, Matt. Thanks! Have you played the Colin Kyo chanter? Murray also makes a Bb chanter, which I am in the process of setting up in an old set of Hardie's. I ordered a set of Ackland Bb reeds for that set. Thanks for introducing me to Terry's reeds.
I have not, but would love to! It's a shame I can't (afford to) keep all of these chanters. I'd love to be able to compare them all in one video.
Hello Matt, do you have a video comparing the sound of Bflat versus standard key?
I do not...
What is the brand name and source of the drone extenders. I currently use long Redwood Reeds before the redwoods I used long Ezeedrone reeds. Still have these in my case as loaners.
The drone reed extenders are also from R.G. Hardie & Co.
Matt... have you ever been exposed to the RJM "b flat" chanter? I'm also looking to set up a b flat set... have you every thought of contacting Naill or Hardie and seeing if they would create a b flat "drone set"... with extended pins (versus using "extenders?)... I wonder if they have the capability? (bonus question... any manufacturer making a b flat chanter in ABW)... appreciate your review - great playing on your part! :)
I have not tried an RJM chanter... I believe you can get a G1 B-flat in blackwood, though it may have to be special ordered. I am not aware of a maker that produces actual B-flat sets...
Matt, I already play the extra long EZEE drone reeds with my Dad's Hendersons....would I just add the drone extenders to these, or would I need to buy a regular sized set of drone reeds to go with the extenders ?
That depends if you can extend the tuning screws out far enough to get the drones to B♭ with those reeds...
I have not personally found a set of standard pitch drone reeds that could be adjusted to B-flat with the tuning screws alone. The tops still were tuning far too high on the hemp to be stable and not fall off.
Hi Matt, I have McCallum AB2’s I purchased in 2018. Is the McCallum chanter that came with it typically B flat?
Nope, that'd be a standard 480Hz chanter with that.
Matt, do you what is the difference between the RG Hardie Infinity and omega chanters and what the differences and benefits of each are?
The Omega has larger hols and more projection/volume (due to the larger holes) than the Infinity. That said, I don't think there is an Omega B-flat option...
Matt, can you tell me what type of reed you play on the infinity Bb? Do you still prefer that chanter as you Bb? Thanks!
That’s wasn’t my chanter, it was sent to me by Lone Star Piper to set up for a customer. Can’t remember what reed I used, though I imagine I said what it was in the video here. I use a Shepherd Orchestral chanter for B-flat these days.
@@MattWillisBagpiper do you use the Shepard Bb reed in that chanter?
@@BGillPiper Yes I do. Awesome combo!
Matt, What is tied on the outside of your bag behind your chanter stock?
I think you're seeing the extra leather rollups that go along the welt. On a Lee & Sons bag, there's navy blue...
Any opinion on how many cents off you like your notes lol or you just go by ear ?( I hate my recordings but my chanters been taped to a Tuner ) or dose the brawl tunner take this factor into consideration?
Some big gouging on one hole there,, I'm still too nervous novice to take that step lol
Final thought , if I buy a Bb chanter I only need extenders not different drone reeds? Makes logic when thinking how tweaking the chanter reed affects high A vs low A
As a newfie " loved the dog berry tree" lol ...and thanks for your info and entertainment
I used a tuner to get into concert tuning. The easy part is basically any tuner would work, as well, you're not using GHB temperament. As for B-flat reeds vs. drone extenders... The Ackland 466 drone reed work very well, though they are a bit finicky to strike in. SO, for recording, I'd likely use the Acklands (where I can edit out or redo bad starts). Live? These RG Hardie extenders allow my to use my full Ezeedrone (with inverted bass) set up that I've come to rely on for B-flat (as the starts are more reliable, even if the tone is a but thinner than the Acklands)
I've taped my chanter to pitch on a seperate tunner(korg TM-60) with the low A set to match the calabration from the brawl app... everything is taped to be as close to pitch as I can but some notes sound extremely off ( might just be me not squeezing the bag properly or my embellishments aren't good enough to camouflage the transition).. just wondered if some notes needed to intentionally a shade sharper or flatter to match the drones , might be the tuner just aiming for a F instead of F# for what I know lol
Hello, thank you for all the updates. I have a 40 years RG Hardie bagpipes, I am interested in buying a new one, I would like to sell mine. I have a crack on the top base drone that was repaired by a pro in London. How can I sell it or do you know if I can trade it in for a new one?
Not aware of anyplace offering bagpipe trades. There are several bagpipe sales groups on Facebook or you could try eBay. Be aware, the crack (even if professionally repaired) will impact resale value, and with so many reasonably priced modern bagpipes, resale for older pipes tends to be fairly low (especially if any of the mounts have turned orange). Best of luck!
R.G.Hardie can supply a new drone section to match, they did this for my 60 year old set, if you send the drones/stocks to them they will replace the cracked section, refurbish them as new. The inititial cosr will be offset by the increased sale value. Hope this is of help. Best Wishes, pipe major John Anderson. Sussex England.
How is the cost of this chenter
Like around $200 USD
Is this chanter easy to play and why does it sound electric
It is easy to play, as it has the same finger spacing as a Shepherd blackwood standard-pitched chanter. As for sounding electronic... Um, not sure what you mean...
He thought it was electric because your playing is so clean lol.
Yeah your playing so clean
@@cbasalt12754 Yes.