Leiken Reeds Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there so many different reeds being offered, why not just one?
I want to be able to make reeds that will suit just about everyone's needs. Being a small maker and one-man operation, I can accommodate this without trouble.
Are you going to offer other reeds, such as drone and pipe chanter reeds?
Yes, I am now offering pipe chanter reeds. There are also a number of related projects currently in development.
(Note: as of 2015, I am now offering practice chanter, pipe chanter, and drone reeds)
How are your reeds different from other reeds currently on the market?
My practice chanter reeds are tested repeatedly in a variety of different chanters. This is important as I want my reeds to be reliable in no matter what chanter they go in. Traditionally, some reeds go better in some chanters than others, but I wanted my reeds to be as chanter-neutral as possible. That concept went into my design and I feel my reed accomplishes just that. Admittedly (in the case of my practice chanter reeds specifically), my reed's design resembles a number of reeds on the market from a distance, but my reed is not a copy of any particular reed. There's not much one can do to make a reed that doesn't resemble a practice chanter reed. My measurements are different, the sound is different, and I did everything I could to keep them distinctive visually and structurally, right down to the blue wrapping. The pipe chanter and drone reeds all have distinct touches to them to ensure that they stand apart of other reeds when laid out side to side.
My chanter reeds are designed to play well when first introduced to your chanter's reed seat. They are set up to minimize the amount of tape you may need to use on your chanter. I test each reed extensively before dispatch and if they aren't up to my standard, they will not leave my door.
My drone reeds are made from the best possible cane and are made in the traditional manner. I test them in a drone before sending them to ensure that they will perform to the highest possible standard.
Do you have any stockists carrying your reeds?
Yes, they are as follows:
The Pipe Maker's Union, Corvallis, OR http://www.carbony.com
Northwest Bagpipes, Tigard, OR http://nwbagpipes.com
Colin Kyo Bagpipes, Medford, OR http://www.colinkyobagpipes.com
House of Bagpipes, San Francisco, CA http://www.houseofbagpipes.com
The Tartan Thistle, Freeland, WA http://www.tartanthistle.com
My reeds will also continue to be offered by me directly.
Do you really test every reed personally?
Absolutely! No reed I make leaves without being tested. My signature, that now graces every practice chanter reed, is a promise and a guarantee that that reed has been tested. Though my chanter and drone reeds aren't marked in this fashion, you can rest assured that if the reed is in your possession, that it was tested by me.
My reed doesn't work or came damaged, what can be done?
I stand by each product I make, test each product I send out, and therefore I guarantee that your reeds will be of excellent quality. If your reeds arrive damaged, or (after contacting me) can't be made to perform properly, I will replace the reed(s) in question. However, this will be at my discretion. If the reeds were damaged from misuse or was manipulated in a fashion that I didn't suggest to you personally, this will void my guarantee.
I want to be able to make reeds that will suit just about everyone's needs. Being a small maker and one-man operation, I can accommodate this without trouble.
Are you going to offer other reeds, such as drone and pipe chanter reeds?
Yes, I am now offering pipe chanter reeds. There are also a number of related projects currently in development.
(Note: as of 2015, I am now offering practice chanter, pipe chanter, and drone reeds)
How are your reeds different from other reeds currently on the market?
My practice chanter reeds are tested repeatedly in a variety of different chanters. This is important as I want my reeds to be reliable in no matter what chanter they go in. Traditionally, some reeds go better in some chanters than others, but I wanted my reeds to be as chanter-neutral as possible. That concept went into my design and I feel my reed accomplishes just that. Admittedly (in the case of my practice chanter reeds specifically), my reed's design resembles a number of reeds on the market from a distance, but my reed is not a copy of any particular reed. There's not much one can do to make a reed that doesn't resemble a practice chanter reed. My measurements are different, the sound is different, and I did everything I could to keep them distinctive visually and structurally, right down to the blue wrapping. The pipe chanter and drone reeds all have distinct touches to them to ensure that they stand apart of other reeds when laid out side to side.
My chanter reeds are designed to play well when first introduced to your chanter's reed seat. They are set up to minimize the amount of tape you may need to use on your chanter. I test each reed extensively before dispatch and if they aren't up to my standard, they will not leave my door.
My drone reeds are made from the best possible cane and are made in the traditional manner. I test them in a drone before sending them to ensure that they will perform to the highest possible standard.
Do you have any stockists carrying your reeds?
Yes, they are as follows:
The Pipe Maker's Union, Corvallis, OR http://www.carbony.com
Northwest Bagpipes, Tigard, OR http://nwbagpipes.com
Colin Kyo Bagpipes, Medford, OR http://www.colinkyobagpipes.com
House of Bagpipes, San Francisco, CA http://www.houseofbagpipes.com
The Tartan Thistle, Freeland, WA http://www.tartanthistle.com
My reeds will also continue to be offered by me directly.
Do you really test every reed personally?
Absolutely! No reed I make leaves without being tested. My signature, that now graces every practice chanter reed, is a promise and a guarantee that that reed has been tested. Though my chanter and drone reeds aren't marked in this fashion, you can rest assured that if the reed is in your possession, that it was tested by me.
My reed doesn't work or came damaged, what can be done?
I stand by each product I make, test each product I send out, and therefore I guarantee that your reeds will be of excellent quality. If your reeds arrive damaged, or (after contacting me) can't be made to perform properly, I will replace the reed(s) in question. However, this will be at my discretion. If the reeds were damaged from misuse or was manipulated in a fashion that I didn't suggest to you personally, this will void my guarantee.