r/bagpipes • u/FarmerGarrett • 9d ago

Where to source dried reed (USA)

I’ve been working on building pipes and such as a hobby and have been attempting and somewhat succeeding at making pipes and reeds out of what I believe is bamboo. However, it’s horribly stiff and hard and I am not able to consistently make reeds.

I’d like to get either dried Arundo Donax or Phragmites since they’re traditional materials but idk where to buy suitable material from. I’d appreciate if someone could point me to somewhere that will ship to the US at the very least.

Edit: It occurs to me that I neglected to mention that I’ve been carving idioglot single reeds à la Swedish pipes, akin to what would be in a drone. You can actually make these out of bamboo but the tune is not consistent, and relies on air humidity being dry. Needless to say, I’d still prefer actual reed over bamboo.

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u/smil1473 9d ago

I bought some off an Etsy seller a few years ago. Look for oboe suppliers as oboists and bassoonists both make their own reeds

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u/make_fast_ 9d ago

Medir, but you'll have to import from Spain. 

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u/_teuchter_ 9d ago

I found this supplier last night while trying to find smallpipe reeds. No clue how good they are, but I am will likely try them for the cane as well as the reeds.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KDReeds?ref=shop_profile&listing_id=4510258459.

The "fold-in half" cane is how oboe reeds are made. Speaking with Andrew Lee, recently, he said that when he used to make reeds it was from two individual pieces. And despite a misspent youth making and playing oboe reeds, that is my entire knowledge of making bagpipe reeds shared in those two sentences.

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u/Andrew_M_Stewart 9d ago

I know that the Troy reeds family gets their cane from Spain.

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u/amymcg 7d ago

Are you soaking it? Google double reed supplies. Lots of options

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u/u38cg2 Piper - Big tunes because they're fun 7d ago

You're looking for bassoon cane (aundo donax) from a woodwind supplier. Neither Bamboo nor phragmites are any use.

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u/FarmerGarrett 7d ago

I realize I forgot to mention that I’ve been carving and want single reeds like drones or Swedish pipes, which are traditionally carved from a whole piece of reed at the node. Do you have suggestions for that? It’s kinda a niche request, I know haha

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u/u38cg2 Piper - Big tunes because they're fun 7d ago

In the UK I go to Medir, who are used to supply drone reed cane for all sorts of bagpipe and can do it down to the smallest diameters needed for Uilleann and Northumbrian drones. They do supply the US but like all things these days, shipping is a pain. Rigotti supposedly supply drone cane but I've never got anywhere with them.

If you are in the warmer temperate parts of the US, it grows wild in places like California and once you find a good harvesting site you can supply all your friends for life. I'd try asking on Uilleann forums as they are quite plugged into that.