am the PM of a grade 5/4 pipe band in south Florida, USA. and we are playing new poly McCallum pipe chanters. we are currently playing Warnock pipe chanter reeds. I am...
Alastair M. replied:
John Elliott is a gent and easy to work with
James S. replied:
John, then take a look at the invoice you sent me for the Grampian bands reeds earlier last year . I got in touch with Kenny NacLeod and he does them cheaper than you. You gave a trade price when I was buying for another pipe band up in liverpool bu t altered the price when I bought for the Grampian corby pb. This is why we had to look elsewhere. And yes I am giving my advice on my personal experience not on a personal level. No animosity towards any individual. This guy asked for advice and thst is what he was given. I dont think he needs any mentioned reed makers or individuals getting a tad personal on his oage eh. All the best for Christmas and new year.
James S. replied:
G1 are a very good reed but a very very good alternative is the Dougie Murray reed. Dougie has just done the very rare feat of winning both Gold medals in the one season and due to the cost of the G1 reeds we had to find a good alternative at a better price. I used to pay about £8 a reed from G1 but the last lot we bought were over £12 plus the vat and this worked out far to much. Dougie's reeds are a breath of fresh air in as much as that they have a bold vibrant quality with a better air flow and resistance ratio than the G1 reeds at present. I am playing them in a a new McCallum Mark three band chanter and it is beautiful. Very free and easy to blow with a good lot of poke. I felt it has a much more stable Piobaireachd G as well. However, there are a lot of good reeds out there but for me Dougie Murray has the best all round reed.