Na Píobairí Uilleann

[NeilO]

Greetings,

I have a Williams D bass drone here for reeding and minor repair.
I have tried several reeds in it, both composit and cane - and all work poorly. I have tested all the reeds in a few other bass drones and they all work and can be tuned in. All the reeds played quite and flat in the Williams bass - the best was a C#.
Williams was a very good maker, considered the best by some.
Are there exact mesurements for Williams 'D' bass drones reeds?
There does not seem to be any obstructions in the bore, but it seems to have a lower air flow through it !
Any Williams owners out there, please comment.
Best regards...... Neil o' Grady
_________________

[ThomasJ]

My Williams set was made in 1980 and the bass drone brass loop tubing is of a much narrower dimension than the wooden parts of the drone. I was using the original bass drone reed up to a year ago when I finally made a bass drone reed using standard cane. It works without problem. Have you tried making a shorter reed if you have a problem getting the drone up to pitch?

How old are your drones/set?